This is a question a reader asked. I’m happy to offer my thoughts. It’s a question of ethics as well as of psychology and here I treat it as that rather than of psychology. I held an endowed chair in Christian ethics at a major Christian research university. Here I will only address the question for Christians. This question is personal to me. The last thing my father said to me was “If you tell anyone what you know about... Read more

  I knew of this “Third Way” in American political engagement long before I heard its name—“Third Way.” According to some sources, the label was coined by New York pastor-theologian Tim Keller and is inspired by his book Center Church. For those who do not know, Keller was a very influential pastor, thinker, speaker, writer and co-founder of The Gospel Coalition, a mostly Reformed group of conservative Protestants. In brief, the Third Way eschews church alliances with political parties and... Read more

Here I continue discussion of Walter Rauschenbusch’s The Social Principles of Jesus with Chapter VIII: Private Property and the Common Good: Private Property Must Serve Social Welfare. If you read the chapter, feel free to comment. If not, feel free to ask a question. In any case, observe the rules set forth at the end end. Was Rauschenbusch a socialist? There is no simple, straightforward answer except, perhaps, that he was not not a socialist. In this chapter he expresses... Read more

Here I continue discussion of Walter Rauschenbusch’s book The Social Principles of Jesus with Chapter VII: Leadership for Service. If you have read it, feel free to comment. Otherwise, feel free to ask a question. In any case, observe the rules set forth at the end here. Here is the heart of this chapter: “Here, then, we have another social principle of Jesus. The ambition of the strong must be yoked to the service of society. Power and honor must... Read more

Many people, probably most, misunderstand the word “denomination” as it applies to religion. With what authority do I say this (and explain the true meaning)? I have studied the concept of “denomination” and individual ones for many years. I hold a PhD in Religious Studies from a major American research university. I have a lifelong obsession with American Christian denominations of all kinds. I was honored to be invited to serve as the editor/author of Abingdon Press’s 14th edition of... Read more

CBS Evening News featured a segment about the rise of non-denominational churches. It focused, as an example, Rooftop Church in St. Louis. The point of the story was that Christians are increasingly gravitating to non-denominational churches. I don’t dispute that. However, I would ask CBS News and other media outlets to talk to those of us who have strong qualms about so-called non-denominational churches. Let me be absolutely clear: I respect the rights of people to start and attend, join,... Read more

*Now continues a second part of this series; this series is about my reasons for being a Christian and for embracing a particular “brand” of Christianity called (as in the name of this blog) “evangelical Arminianism.” In order to understand this post you need to read the immediately preceding one about my reasons for being Christian. 8) My Second Reason for Embracing “Evangelical, Arminian Christianity”: “Evangelical” My immediately preceding post/essay explained why I am a Christian—both descriptively and prescriptively. Now,... Read more

Here I continue discussion of Walter Rauschenbusch’s book The Social Principles of Jesus with Chapter V: The Kingdom of God: Its Tasks. The subtitle is revealing: “The Right Social Order Is the Supreme Task for Each.” If you have read the chapter, feel free to comment. If not, you may ask a question. In any case, please abide by the rules stated at the end here. When I was growing up in a fundamentalist church and denomination I was told... Read more

I frequently hear or read Ockham’s Razor (sometimes spelled Occam’s Razor) in television shows, movies, documentaries, and books. Most of the time it is misused, even abused. People usually misunderstand it and even philosophers and scientists who should know better often misuse it. The popular version is that Ockham’s Razor means that the simplest explanation is always the best. It is said to be a pillar of modern science. William of Ockham was a Catholic friar and theologian who lived... Read more

*Now begins a second part of this series; this series is about my reasons for being a Christian and for embracing a particular “brand” of Christianity called (as in the name of this blog) “evangelical Arminianism.” 7) My First Reason for Embracing “Evangelical, Arminian Christianity”: Christianity The very idea of “reason for” is multidimensional and ambiguous. Perhaps two dimensions come into play: descriptive and prescriptive. When I say that I am going to deliver my “reason for” embracing Christianity I... Read more