It seems to me that there’s a fight going on right now over exactly what it means to be “Reformed.” Now, I’m generally Reformed, but in a kind of post-Barthian, Moltmannian way. The term means little to me, and I don’t regard Calvin, Westminster, or Dordt too highly. So, I really don’t have a dog in that fight. But for those of you who do, I’d say, “Wake up!” I talk to a lot of moderate Reformed folks, and they... Read more

I have a great deal of respect for Tim Keller. Honestly, of all of the leaders of the Reformed “resurgence,” I like Keller the most. He seems thoughtful, evenhanded, and I know many people who go to his excellent church. I’ve never met him (though I’ve tried), and he used to frequent this blog. But I have a bone to pick. At John Piper’s conference here in Minneapolis last week, Keller responded to a Justin Taylor question by stating that... Read more

A good friend and Emergent Village board member emailed me, commending me on my “I’m No Lefty” post, but expressing some concern that maybe I shouldn’t be naming the candidates for whom I’m voting. The question whether it’s okay for someone in a relatively public position (national coordinator of a non-profit organization) to endorse candidates. I am open to this question, and to possibly removing the candidates names. But, I’ll leave them for now. Here’s why: 1) I have one... Read more

I’m part of a group, convened by Jim Wallis, Brian McLaren, and Tony Campolo called the Red Letter Christians (No, I’m not a fan of the name, but it’s meant to imply that the words of Jesus are the beginnings of our political engagement, not some obscure Levitical text regarding homosexuality). The group is a direct challenge to the Arlington Group, a collection of far-right Christians who have worked long and hard to be the voice of Christianity in American... Read more

I just received my case of The Most Difficult Journey You’ll Ever Make, the second in my 4-book series with Paraclete Press. This is John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress, with an introduction and annotations by me. Honestly, I have mixed feelings about Bunyan’s theology — I used to be really enamoured of Puritan theology (especially William Ames’s The Marrow of Theology, a true classic), but I have since reconsidered that position. But no matter one’s theology, Bunyan is a must-read.... Read more

HorrorPainUglinessStrifeRending of ClothesGnashing of Teeth This is my weekend, as we move into a new house. Read more

If you’re in the Twin Cities, come on out to a book reading on Saturday night. I’ll be reading from The Sacred Way at the SpiritOne Art Center in downtown Minneapolis. It’s right across the street from the downtown Buca, and I know that you’ve eaten there. It’s an open house, 5-9pm, so come anytime. Music by Ben Johnson, who’s singing voice is even better than my reading voice. Read more

Today, I’ve been looking at the information that’s come out of the Baylor University Survey of Religion: “American Piety in the 21st Century.” It’s fascinating stuff. It’s got some really interesting content that I must say is not that surprising. For instance, Americans are not getting less religious. Secularism is not encroaching. The church is not being flushed down the toilet. So the next time you hear a preacher bemoan the secular state of America, ask her…er, I mean, him…to... Read more