Believe Out Loud Campaign Targets Gay-Friendly Mainline Pastors

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 5:03 pm By Tony Jones

Last year I asked whether Christian leaders who quietly support increasing the rights of gays and lesbians in society and church should be outed. I asked because I have publicly stated my position, and I’m often asked told by others that they just know what so-and-so Christian leader/author/pastor thinks about “the gay issue.” In other words, some people suggest that particular Christian leaders are being coy about how they feel about same sex marriage or gay/lesbian ordination in order to... Read more

Theology after Google

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 5:03 pm By Tony Jones

Doug had Philip Clayton and me on his radio show to chat about the upcoming event, Theology after Google. We also discuss what went wrong with the liberal church in the 20th century, and how we propose to fix it. Here’s the conversation (in two parts): Read more

Conversion of an Atheist

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 5:03 pm By Tony Jones

At Religion Dispatches, Lisa Webster has a fascinating interview with philosopher Jacob Needleman, an avowed atheist who converted to theism. Money quotes: It meant I had to read theologians, Christian writers like St. Augustine—whom I had hated. You see in my book where I talk about burning the pages of the book, that’s exactly what happened. I'm not exaggerating. I was so happy to see it go up in flames; I had suffered so much from that book. And later... Read more

One Year After Back Surgery

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 5:03 pm By Tony Jones

One year ago today, I went under the knife and had a microdiscectomy and semi-laminectomy. In short, a neurological surgeon cut away a protrusion of a spinal disc and carved away some bone to make more room for the spinal nerve. Prior to the surgery, I could not stand up straight, and was at times confined to a wheelchair. My left leg had gone completely numb from above the knee down. The surgery was a success by every measure. The... Read more

Beliefnet Posts Now Here!

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 5:03 pm By Tony Jones

Thanks to my former blog host, Beliefnet, I’ve imported all of my posts from my year of blogging with them. They’re all here, in the archives, for your reading pleasure. Among the most popular posts that I wrote for Bnet: How I Went from There to Here: Same Sex Marriage Blogalogue Is the Trinity Optional? Original Sin: A Depraved Idea Do People Still Hit their Kids? Why Jesus Died Calling Kevin DeYoung to Account [UPDATED] Should Christian Leaders Be Outed?... Read more

Washington, D.C. Travel Tips

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 5:03 pm By Tony Jones

Call me Clark. I’m loading the kids into the family truckster (Volvo wagon) and driving them to Washington, D.C. at the end of March. We’re going to do the usuals: tour the Capitol Building, spend a day in the Smithsonian(s); visit Mount Vernon. But my question for you, dear blog readers, is this: What else should I know? Any off-the-beaten-track suggestions? How about where to stay (I’m currently searching VRBO.com, and looking for hotel deals)? Anything else? Thanks for your... Read more

Emergence NOW Recap

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 5:03 pm By Tony Jones

Last week, I had the pleasure of presenting — alongside Phyllis Tickle, Bruce Reyes-Chow, and Philip Clayton — at Emergence NOW, the mid-winter conference of Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. Columbia is one of the better hosts for a conference like this, and they treat their speakers with warm hospitality. Phyllis Tickle led off, working out some new angles on her Great Emergence ideas. I think she’s hitting the authority question harder than ever (and I think that will... Read more

Sermon on Luke 2:41-52

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 5:03 pm By Tony Jones

The Sunday after Christmas, I preached on the Lukan passage about Jesus as a young boy, left behind in the Temple. (There was a great discussion on an earlier post that really helped my preparation.) Well, here’s the sermon (audio) with slides. It’s 35 minutes. Comments welcome! Luke 2:41-52 View more presentations from Tony Jones. Read more

Wanna Study with LeRon Shults?

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 5:03 pm By Tony Jones

LeRon Shults is one of my favorite theologians, and, were I to be looking to start a PhD program today, I’d strongly consider the offer he writes of in his guest post: I’ve asked Tony to help me spread the word about two new opportunities to study theology here at the University of Agder in Norway. Before you say “that is crazy, I can’t move to Norway!” read a little further… This is a great opportunity to do doctoral studies... Read more

Talking FirstThird with Andy Root

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 5:03 pm By Tony Jones

One month from now, I’ll be part of a unique gathering: a conversation with two leading theologians of youth ministry, Kenda Creasy Dean and Andrew Root. It’s called “FirstThird: Theological Dialogues on the First Third of Life,” and it’s taking place at Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. It’s limited to 120 participants, and there are still some spots left, so if this conversation sounds intriguing, join us! Read more