There Is No War on Christmas

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 5:00 pm By Tony Jones

But don’t tell that to the good people of First Baptist-Dallas. That megalith of a church, currently undergoing a $110 million building project, has launched a website to call out businesses that aren’t Christmasy enough for their tastes. The story is reported by the intrepid Dallas Morning News religion reporter, Sam Hodges: First Baptist Church of Dallas is making a list this Christmas, and lots of people will be checking it. The Rev. Robert Jeffress, the church’s pastor, announced Tuesday... Read more

An xtranormal Test of Christian Orthodoxy

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 5:00 pm By Tony Jones

So, others are posting the pretty damn funny spoof of emergent on xtranormal, but I like this one even better. Read more

David Fitch: Youth Ministry Destroys Faith

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 5:00 pm By Tony Jones

David Fitch has an important post on modern youth ministry and it’s disastrous effects. Money Quote: I think youth groups often do things that work against the formation of our youth into life with Christ and His Mission. They also soak up huge time and resources in ways that are a detriment to the community life of the church. I think it would be good for parents seeking churches to think through these issues. Prototype youth groups are built on... Read more

Highlights from the Emerging Christianity Event in Fort Worth

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 5:00 pm By Tony Jones

On the same weekend that the “Outlaw Preachers” were gathering in Memphis, I was part of a very different conference in Fort Worth, Texas. Held on the campus of Brite Divinity School (at Texas Christian University), we didn’t have nearly as many tweets at Emerging Christianity, but we did have a big room full of folks who are very interested in the Emergence of Christianity in the 21st century. In fact, the president of the divinity school introduced the event... Read more

Please Support…

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 5:00 pm By Tony Jones

…the sponsors of this blog. See their three ads in the upper right sidebar. I mean, you want my kids to have Christmas presents, right? 🙂 Read more

Something about Abortion

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 5:00 pm By Tony Jones

We’ve had an interesting comment thread going on Monday’s post, “Apple Pulls Manhattan Declaration App.” We’ve had everyone from a legal scholar to conservatives who insist on calling me, “Mr. Jones,” weigh in. I’ve been most engaged in a contretemps with my acquaintance, Bob Hyatt, a pastor and blogger whom I very much respect. You can go to that post to read our comments. The one thing that Bob seems to feel that I didn’t sufficiently address is the... Read more

The Truth about Profiling

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 5:00 pm By Tony Jones

As I prepare to fly out of MSP again today, I dread the new full body scan, which I’ve been through twice. I think I’ve determined that it’s the raising your hands above your head and being watched by scores — maybe hundreds — of people that is what makes it humiliating. In any case, I don’t like it, though I haven’t yet opted for the pat-down. In the midst of the hubbub surrounding these scanners and a new terrorist... Read more

Apple Pulls Manhattan Declaration App

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 5:00 pm By Tony Jones

I’ve had my own run-in with the Manhattan Declaration — it was placed at the registration table of an academic conference at which I presented a paper in order to protest my appearance. Among other things, the MD states that true evangelicalism stands against the equal rights of women and against the rights of gay and lesbian persons to marry. Well, those stances, and a little pressure from the Huffington Post, got the Manhattan Declaration app dropped from the App... Read more

Take My Advice, GMA: Pick Carla

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 5:00 pm By Tony Jones

Carla Barnhill, dear friend since seminary, fellow worshiper at Solomon’s Porch, and frequent commenter and occasional guest poster to this blog, is among the 20 finalists in Good Morning America’s search for a new advice guru. There doesn’t seem to be a place for the public to vote, so I’m merely telling GMA that if they know what’s good for them, they’ll choose Carla. Just last week, I called Carla to ask for advice about a tricky interpersonal situation. She... Read more

If This Is Heaven, Who Needs Hell?

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 5:00 pm By Tony Jones

And can someone please tell me why this is on a Preterist website? Is this guy a Preterist, or are they making fun of him? (I assume they’re making fun of him in favor of their own belief that we’re living in the Second Coming, but I’m still fuzzy on Preterism…) HT: Trucker Frank Read more