Controversial Thoughts about Banned Books Week *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 links or photos.* Let me begin by saying clearly and unequivocally that I am against censorship. But then let me define “censorship.” Censorship is ONLY when government uses its power to suppress expressions of opinion, works of art or literature, etc.... Read more

About the “Religious Left” *Note: If you choose to comment, make sure your comment is relatively brief (no more than 100 words), on topic, addressed to me, and civil and respectful (not hostile or argumentative). It should contain no links or photos.* For years now, the American mass media have been obsessed with what has been labeled “The Religious Right”—a movement by mostly Christians to use government and law to enforce specifically religious ethical norms. We must recognize now that... Read more

Does Truth Actually Exist? *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 links or photos.* Have you heard of “the Rashomon effect?” I had not heard the term until I watched a fascinating Youtube video entitled “The Rashomon Effect – Does Truth Actually Exist?” Now I have a phrase for a well-known and often observed, even experienced,... Read more

Is American Christianity Becoming a Folk Religion? *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 links or photos.* I have been an American Christian theologian for forty years. I have taught Christian theology in four American universities, three of them specifically Christian ones, plus one seminary not part of any university. I have taught Christian... Read more

The Crisis of Men and Boys *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 links or photos.* I have avoided this subject here for a while. I don’t remember the last time I write here about the plight of boys and men in America society. This column by highly respected commentator David Brooks came “across... Read more

Is “The Unitarian Church” Christian? *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 links and photos.* Someone here asserted that “the Unitarian Church” is Christian. I did not respond then, but I want to respond now. I hope he or she reads this. The background to that assertion is my comment here that the NBC... Read more

Can There Be a “Christian City?” Reflections on Doug Wilson and Moscow, Idaho *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 links or photos.* I recently watched an NBC news segment (on Youtube) in which an NBC journalist interviews Pastor Doug Wilson of Christ Church, Moscow, Idaho. According to the news segment, Wilson wants to... Read more

Relational Theology Yes; Panentheism No *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 links or photos.* ”Relational theology” is a relatively new term for any (mostly Christian) theology that emphasizes God’s vulnerability and openness to being affected by what happens in creation, especially in relation to humanity. It’s a very broad category including almost everything... Read more

The First Real Pentecostal Systematic Theology? *Note: If you comment here, 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 links or photos. I grew up classical Pentecostal (not charismatic) and attended a classical Pentecostal college. I was deeply embedded in classical Pentecostalism throughout my first 25 years of life. Then I attended an Baptist seminary (something I was warned not to... Read more

Is Jesus’s Maleness a Problem for Women? *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 links or photos.* This question of whether a male savior can save women has been around for decades. I first encountered it when reading Rosemary Redford Reuther (RIP May, 2022). Her answer was yes, although she admitted that his maleness... Read more