About Reading More of “Why?” Setting a Date An old saying goes “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” well, don’t judge “Why?” By the first few chapters. Although Beek drops clues to his conclusions in these early chapters, mostly he is “clearing the ground,” so to speak, eventually to build his own theodicy. This is more typical of European works of theology than of American. First he has to show that he knows all the traditional views (although I... Read more

“Why? On Suffering, Guilt and God” Part 1 Today I begin my commentary and critique of A van de Beek’s book “Why?” Some of you are reading it along with me. Others can listen in and ask questions, but please do not make any judgments about the book or what others who are reading it say about it if you are not reading it with us. I will continue to announce here when we who are reading it are to... Read more

Comments and Cautions Regarding “Why?” My announced plan is to post a first commentary on “Why? On Suffering, Guilt and God” by A van de Beek this Thursday (May 4). But, as they say, “Man plans and God laughs.” So, God willing and (as they say in the South) “the creek don’t rise,” I still plan on that. However, I do have a doctor’s appointment this week and…. So please do not be dismayed if the planned first installment does... Read more

Is American Becoming a Failed State? Recently, a few political scientists have suggested that America may be the world’s first “greatest” or “strongest” failed state. “Greatest” or “strongest” refers to America’s economic and military might in the world. It is still the only “super-power.” China is closing in on being the other one. But America remains a powerful country theoretically capable of solving problems in the world (e.g., arguably the War in the Balkans and the invasion of Kuwait by... Read more

“Faith Healing” : What Is It? This subject has come to my attention through reading and hearing the phrases “faith healing” and “faith healer” in journalism and popular culture. They are phrases often used to label, among others, Pentecostal evangelists who claim to have some special “gift” of transmitting God’s healing power to sick, injured, or otherwise physically or mentally impaired people for whom they pray. Problem is…I grew up “in the thick” of America’s healing revivals and never once... Read more

Announcement of First Reading/Discussion of “Why?” My plan is to begin discussing I Introduction (pp. 1-23) of “Why? On Suffering, Guilt and God” by A. Van de Beek on May 5. That day, God willing, I will post my thoughts about the Introduction. Then I will space out discussion of other portions of the book, increasing the “chunks” of reading (number of pages) a bit beyond 23 pages. I’ll announce the “chunks” to read at least a few days before... Read more

Churches and Denominations; Why Hide? During the last twenty-five to thirty years I’ve noticed a trend among American churches and I’ve discussed it here before. It is churches hiding their denominational identities and using vague, often one word names that tell nothing about them. When I was growing up in a city of about 100 thousand people there were numerous churches in the city and only one had a nondescript name: the name of the city followed by “Community Church.”... Read more

What Is “Church?” Any Group that Calls Itself “Church?” Not far from where I sit there is a “Church of Cannabis.” It is a church, nobody can deny that. But in what sense is it TRULY a “church”—from a Christian theological perspective? Something that has been bothering me for years is that MOST of my students have THOUGHT (until I corrected them) that ANY group of people who call themselves “church” is really and truly “church.” After all, in our... Read more

About “Why?” By A. Van de Beek This is for those of you who plan to read Bram van de Beek’s book “Why? On Suffering, Guilt and God” with me. Many of you have reported ordering the book. I want to give you a few suggestions about reading it before we begin in May. First, please don’t read ahead; wait to read the “assigned” chapters until I announce them. Second, the book takes its time to get to the main... Read more

The Basic Difference between Lutheran Theology and Reformed Theology The basic difference between Lutheran Theology and Reformed Theology that caused Luther to say of the Reformed that they had a “different spirit” is Christology and how the different Christologies play out in the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper which both Lutherans and Reformed consider a sacrament (means of grace). Luther believed and taught, even insisted, that because of the communication of attributes (communicatio idiomatum) of the incarnation, the risen and... Read more