More about “Wordless Prayer” *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 pictures or links.* This is an addendum to my immediately preceding blog post about so-called “wordless prayer” (also “centering prayer” and “contemplative prayer”). Many of you who commented obviously do not understand what this practice is. It is not merely listening to God;... Read more

“There Is No Such Thing as “Wordless Prayer” *Note: If you choose to comment, make sure it is relatively brief (no more than 100 words), on topic, addressed to me, civil and respectful (not hostile or argumentative), and devoid of pictures or links.* I don’t remember exactly when I first encountered the idea of “wordless prayer” (also sometimes called “centering prayer” and/or “contemplative prayer”). But I know it was “all the rage” when I arrived to teach theology at Bethel... Read more

Whatever Happened to “Innocent Until Proven Guilty?” *Note: If you choose to comment, make sure to 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 pictures or links.* This is a matter of justice and therefore of ethics. All Americans should be concerned about this, including Christians. We should speak up about it in churches and elsewhere (e.g., letters to editors). A basic rule... Read more

Evangelicals and the Trinity   *Note: If you choose to comment, make sure your comment is relatively brief (no more than 100 words), on topics, addressed to me, civil and respectful (not hostile or argumentative), and devoid of pictures or links. Do not merely express a feeling or “gut reaction,” explain your reason for commenting thoughtfully. Don’t just preach a sermon or cite scripture or quote someone.* When I was a kid growing up in American evangelicalism…. Okay, I know... Read more

About Churches: They Are All Human *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 pictures or links. Know that this is not a discussion board; I do not approve every comment. I tend to approve those that are constructive, even if critical, and thoughtful.* I am frequently approached by people, Christians, who are thinking of... Read more

Fundamentalish: A New Term for an Old Phenomenon *Note: If you choose to comment, keep it brief (no more than 100 words), on topic, addressed to me, civil and respectful (not argumentative or hostile), and devoid of pictures or links. Know that this is not a discussion board; not all comments are approved for posting here. I look for constructive responses even if they are critical.* I have read many books and articles about Christian fundamentalism. I’m reading a major... Read more

Thoughts about “Cancel Culture” *Note: If you 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 pictures or links. Know that this is not a discussion group; not every comment will be approved for posting here.* We hear a lot about “cancel culture” these days. What does it mean? Well, in general in means one or all of three acts. First,... Read more

Two Kinds of Christian Fundamentalism *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 pictures or links. Know that this is not a discussion board; do not misuse it to attempt to promote your own, alternative worldview, philosophy, theology, etc.* I’ve been fascinated to the point of near obsession with Christian fundamentalism for much of my... Read more

How to Read the Apostle Paul in the New Testament *Note: If you 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 pictures or links. Remember this is not a discussion board; do not attempt to misuse it to promote your own alternative worldview, philosophy, theology, whatever.* Only a few books other than the Bible have transformed me. Some have been... Read more