“Under the Banner of Heaven” and Mormonism/LDS *Note: If you choose to comment, remember my rules. This is not a discussion board; no commenter has a “right” for his or her comment to be posted here. Comments commonly posted here are relatively brief (no more than 100 words), on topic, addressed to me, civil and respectful (not hostile or argumentative), and devoid of photos or links. Also, I do not allow commenters to misuse my blog to promote their own... Read more

Thoughts about Marvin Olasky and “Compassionate Conservatism” *Note: if you choose to post a comment here, know that this is not a discussion board; it is a place for me to tell my stories and express my opinions and engage in civil, respectful dialogue with interested, thoughtful, reflective readers. For your. comment to be considered (for posting here), make sure it is relatively brief (no more than 100 words), on topic, addressed to me, civil and respectful (not hostile or... Read more

Friedrich Hayek and “Socialism” (Thoughts about “The Road to Serfdom”) *Note: No comments in response to this brief post will be approved. Don’t bother commenting. I’m fully aware that Hayek was passionately opposed to “collectivism” and a state-controlled economy. However, within “The Road to Serfdom” are strong hints that he did not oppose something akin to the so-called “welfare state” in which government played a big role in helping people who, for whatever reason, could not help themselves. Personally, I... Read more

About This Blog (Read This If You Ever Plan to Comment) So, once in a while I find it essential to explain my blog to readers. This is helpful especially for me and those who intend to comment here about what I write. This blog is “my place” to express my opinions, much as a newspaper’s “Opinion Page” is the editor’s or publisher’s place to express his or her or their opinions. Most such opinion pages in newspapers or other... Read more

Remembering Progressive Evangelicals: The Clapham Sect *Note: I you choose to comment, please keep your comment relatively brief (no more than 100 words), on topic, addressed to me, civil and respectful (not hostile or argumentative) and devoid of photos or links.* Have you ever heard of The Clapham Sect? Probably not. Unless you are a church historian (professional or amateur) and one who specializes in evangelical history, British social and political history, the history of abolition, etc. I believe this... Read more

The American Myth That “It Can’t Happen Here” (This is a picture of anti-fascist Christian theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer who recognized the danger of Hitler and the Nazi Party and bravely spoke out against them. He helped organize the “Confessing Church” in Germany but became disillusioned when many of its pastors would not join him in condemning fascism and Naziism.) *Note: If you choose to comment, make sure your comment is relatively brief (no more than 100 words), on topic, addressed... Read more

Is the Concept of “Worldly” Still Useful? *Note: If you choose to comment, please keep your comment relatively brief (no more than 100 words), on topic, addressed to me, civil and respectful (not hostile or argumentative), and devoid of photos or links. Also, please know this is a place for discussion of evangelical Christianity (broadly defined); it is not a place for persons of other persuasions to criticize or “preach” their own, alternative views. Non-evangelical Christians are invited to ask... Read more

Should Christians Celebrate Halloween? *Note: If you choose to comment, make sure your comment is relatively brief (no more than 100 words), on topic, addressed to me, civil and respectful (not hostile or argumentative), and devoid of photos or links.* In the United States and perhaps elsewhere October 31 is celebrated by most people, in some way, as an informal (not federal or state) holiday called “Halloween.” The word “Halloween” derives from the Old English “All Hallows Eve” or “The... Read more

Is “Syncretism” Still a Valuable Concept? *Note: If you choose to comment, make sure your comments this relatively brief (no more than 100 words), on topic, addressed to me, civil and respectful (not hostile or argumentative), and devoid of links or photos.* When I began studying Christian theology in college and then seminary, the word “syncretism” was bandied about quite a bit. It was considered a useful term and category even if it could be misused and often was. At... Read more

The False Religion of Americanism *Note: If you choose to comment, make sure your comment is relatively brief (no more than 100 words), on topic, addressed to me, civil and respectful (not hostile or argumentative), and contains no links or photos.* What is the religion of Americanism? First, what it is not. Americanism as spoken of here, as a false religion, is not mere American patriotism. Nor is it the traditional, whether true or false, belief that America has a... Read more