First, I’d like to thank Tony Jones for giving me the opportunity to do some guest-blogging during his absence. It’s been a lot of fun. I’ve been thinking about starting my own blog for quite some time, but I never got around to doing anything about it. Now that I’ve blogged for a few days, maybe I’ll think about exploring the possibility that I might, one day, some time in the future, start my own blog. Maybe. Second, I’d like... Read more
I wasn’t always a religious liberal/progressive. I grew up in a conservative Southern Baptist home, was born again when I was 9 during a city-wide revival, and felt the call to ministry when I was 14. I longed for a deepening and consistent relationship with God, but I couldn’t maintain the euphoria of religious ecstacy which I experienced at youth camps, retreats, choir tours, and mission trips. So I decided I needed to read and study more, seeking the depth... Read more
At the beginning of January, Tony blogged about an article on D Magazine featuring Dr. Robert Jeffress, the pastor of First Baptist Dallas. Jeffress famously displayed both keen political judgment and naked religious prejudice when he endorsed the “Christian” candidate Rick Perry over the “non-Christian” candidate Mitt Romney. The article also caught the eye of Rev. Dr. Jo Hudson, Senior Pastor of the Cathedral of Hope of the United Church of Christ, perhaps the world’s largest predominantly LGBT congregation. In... Read more
Meister Eckhart, the thirteenth-century Dominican speculative mystic, is one of my favorite writers. I have two favorite quotes from Eckhart: “Therefore let us pray to God that we may be free of God that we may gain the truth and enjoy it eternally…” (German sermon 52) and “The truth is such a noble thing that if God were able to turn away from truth, I would cling to the truth and let God go; for God is truth, and all... Read more
“God Is God Because He Remembers” An essay read by Elie Wiesel on NPR’s All Things Considered, April 7, 2008 Read more
I have to admit, I was surprised when Tony asked me to guest blog while he takes a brief break. After all, nobody really knows me, I’ve never written a book, I don’t have my own blog, and I only comment after somebody else says something. But I have to admit I was flabbergasted to see the comments welcoming me to Tony’s blog. Thank you for your warm welcome! Good Reasons One of the things I try to do in... Read more
I’m taking a 6-day digital sabbath, my first in a long time. I’m spending a long weekend with Courtney and some friends, and I’m bringing nothing with me but books. I couldn’t be more excited. I’ve got a few posts set up for my absence. But mainly I’m handing the reigns over to Scot Miller. I met Scot in early 2010 at an event in Fort Worth, Texas, and he has been one of the most faithful — and most... Read more
On this day in 2004, I wrote my first post. It wasn’t much of anything. In the eight years since — 1,747 posts and 22,683 comments later — I’ve become less snarky. I hope I’m a better writer — I know I’m a better blogger. In celebration, I’m taking a digital holiday until the middle of next week. Please check back this afternoon to find out who the surprise guest blogger will be in my absence. Thanks for your support, everyone! Read more
David Henson says, Bring It On! I do not fear the death of the mainline church.In fact, as a postulant for the priesthood in the Episcopal church, it excites me, and it is the precipitous decline of the mainline that, in part, draws me to ministry.Death can be a fertile ground for the Gospel. Indeed, it has always been so. The specter of death can make people willing to do things they might otherwise be too comfortable to consider, like that... Read more
Fred asks the questions that lower courts are going to be figuring out for years to come: Who’s a minister? And what’s a church? Say you’re the owner of a pizza place and you’re looking to hire a new delivery driver. You can’t put up a sign that says, “Jews Need Not Apply.” And you can’t put up a sign that says, “Only Jews Need Apply.” Either one would be an illegal form of religious discrimination. But say you’re on... Read more
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