Here I begin discussion of Walter Rauschenbusch’s book The Social Principles of Jesus with the first chapter: The Value of Human Life. If you have read the chapter, feel free to comment. If not, feel free to ask a question. In any case, observe the rules stated at the end of this post. For those who do not know, Walter Rauschenbusch was the leading theologian of the American Social Gospel movement. He died in 1918 after teaching for many years... Read more

After numerous conversations with people and watching and listening to many interviews and commentaries and reading many books I have concluded there are two kinds of people in the world. Some people are individualists who regard society as a collection of responsible individuals and some people are organic thinkers who regard society as an organic, interdependent whole. Of course, people exist along a spectrum, but all fall either more to the individualist side or to the organic side. Individualists tend... Read more

*First read my first three posts in this series; they immediately precede this blog post. This essay continues a series of essays answering why I am an “evangelical Arminian Christian.” 4) My Fourth Principle: There Is No “View from Nowhere” (or “View from Everywhere”) (By Roger E. Olson) As I move on in this series of “my principles,” what I say will increasingly assume readers’ knowledge of the previous essays. Unlike many television shows, I will not “summarize” the main... Read more

  Pete Hegseth, Secretary of War in the US government, has publicly labeled pacifism “naive and dangerous” and declared that pacifists do not deserve to be defended. Of course, as a Mennonite, I take umbrage at that and ask for support from my fellow Christians, including those who are not pacifists. There is a large contingent of “peace churches” in America and always has been. It includes Friends (Quakers), all Anabaptists (Mennonites, Amish, many Brethren churches), Jehovah’s Witnesses, and many... Read more

Here I am announcing a new book discussion series: The Social Principles of Jesus by Walter Rauschenbusch. It was published in 1917. It is in the public domain, so it is available from any publishers. You can download it from Amazon for Kindle free (so it says). Or you can pay about $7 to purchase it from Amazon in hard copy. I will launch the discussion with my own thoughts here about the Introduction and Part I: The Axiomatic Social... Read more

In late June and early July, 1934, over three to four days, German dictator Adolf Hitler had as many as one hundred of his enemies, and some others, murdered. The slaughter began with former Hitler sidekick and supporter Ernst Roehm, leader of the SA (popular known as the “Storm Troopers”), a Nazi-related militia gone rogue. Hitler was trying to transition, temporarily, at last, from a revolutionary to a democratic politician. He was appointed Chancellor (like prime minister) by German President... Read more

*First read my first two posts in this series; they immediately precede this blog post. 3) My Third Principle: Two Criteria for Deciding What Is True (By Roger E. Olson) As I move on in this series of “my principles,” what I say will increasingly assume readers’ knowledge of the previous essays. Unlike many television shows, I will not “summarize” the main points after each “commercial break.” I will simply depend on readers, and especially commenters, to have read through... Read more

Here I complete discussion of N. T. Wright’s excellent little book (Harvard Lectures) entitled Creation, Power, and Truth. The final chapter is about our (Western) postmodern condition and the status of truth. If you have read the chapter, feel free to comment. If not, feel free to ask a question. Whenever I read a chapter I look for what is for me the most critically important, pithy sentence (or two or three). Here is the passage I found most important,... Read more

*First read “My First Principle…” which was a  preceding blog post. This essay is the second in a series about why I am an “evangelical Arminian Christian.” 2) My Second Principle: Only I Can Decide What Is True (for Me) (by Roger E. Olson) I do not agree with philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) about everything, but I agree with his imperative “Dare to think for yourself” (“Sapere aude!”). In fact, I would go further and say that, whether they want... Read more

All other contemporary American issues pale in comparison to threats to our democracy. I say “our democracy” because, while it is not entirely unique, it does carry some special features such as the US Constitution’s guarantees of rights and liberties. It also thrives on three branches of government that hold one another accountable. I have no special sympathy with the current state of the Democratic Party, although I respect some Democratic people and believe one can be a Christian and... Read more