My dear, curmudgeonly, friend David Fitch posted the above on Facebook yesterday. Before I respond to David’s question at face value, let’s get some things out of the way: 1) David could possibly be accused of professional jealously. Both he and Rob Bell had books come out last week. Both claim to say something fresh about God and the future of the faith. Rob has been on Morning Joe, Fox News, and many other outlets. David, uh, has not. (I have recently... Read more
There’s been a lot of talk about gay students at Christian colleges lately. I’ve blogged about it several times, as have others. But we haven’t heard much from gay faculty at these schools. That’s because they are deep, deep in the closet. Inside Higher Ed has an anonymous essay by one such prof: Much of this debate at your institutions hinges on biblical hermeneutics. It dismays me how CCCU [The Council for Christian Colleges and Universities] institutions (institutions of higher... Read more
I’m teaching a course on the New Testament this semester, so this comes up. I thinks it’s a fascinating question from Lance: Have you posted or tackled much regarding all the parrallels of Jesus, Horus and Dionysus (or others if they exist)? This has come up twice recently for me and is never discussed here in Texas, or in my Pentecostal heritage 🙂 “Questions that Haunt” popped in my head. Not only would I be interested in the historical contexts but... Read more
I am still haunted by Howard Dully’s story, “My Lobotomy,” which I heard on NPR several years ago. It occurred to me again as I read a comment on the blog this morning. Last week’s Question That Haunts was compared by some to “How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?” But to others, it was a serious, existential question. To those of us who are able-bodied and able-minded, it’s no big deal. But to those of... Read more
I’ve heard for a long time that Rob Bell is affirming of gay marriage and of full gay inclusion in the church. It is alleged that this is why Zondervan broke ranks with him, and some have wondered if it’s part of the reason that he left the pastorate of Mars Hill Bible Church. Well, this morning there seem to be two pieces of evidence that Rob is, in fact, no longer holding his tongue about GLBT issues: (more…) Read more
The Dallas Observer continues its intrepid reporting on Baptist pastor Robert Jeffress: It was hard to fathom how Robert Jeffress could possibly refine his already highly nuanced views on human sexuality, but the First Baptist pastor has managed, somehow, to do just that. Right Wing Watch brings us a video of Jeffress’s appearance last week on Trinity Broadcasting Network’s “Praise the Lord” in which he further toned down his anti-gay rhetoric. His premise is there are many ways to deviate... Read more
This week’s question comes to us from Angel: I have a question for the series. When I was very young, I used to wander into my parents’ morning bible study and listen. At one point, I heard something that really disturbed me and worries me to this day: when we go to heaven, we take no worthly possessions, not even our memories. I don’t want to forget anything that happened to me when I was alive. My question is this:... Read more
I admit, my antipathy for Catholicism runs deep. That has to do with its all-male, celibate priesthood, its veneration of Mary to — for all intents and purposes — divine status, its homophobia, and my first marriage. I’m copping to my own bigotries right off the bat here. Nevertheless, I was taken aback by the over-the-top ebullience that many of my fellow Protestants were expressing on Twitter and Facebook yesterday. People were gushing, people were admitting to crying. And, most astoundingly, people were... Read more
I’m envious of Chad Lakies. He got to attend the conversation between Rachel Held Evans and Roger Olson on the “Future of Evangelicalism” recently at George Fox Evangelical Seminary. Sounds like it was a great conversation. But, as much as Chad resonated with what he heard, he also found something missing in the conversation: Has evangelicalism, emerging as it has out of its originary concerns for the practical, been complicit in the emergence of therapeutic religion? Indeed, yes. But, but,... Read more
The Church Planters Academy August 15-17, 2013 $145 (by March 31) $195 (April – August) Solomon’s Porch in Minneapolis, MN A dynamic and innovative event to equip and encourage those desiring to start new churches in fresh and entrepreneurial ways. For those who are starting new churches. For those who are exploring starting a new churches. For those who’ve already started churches and want to gather with others who are doing the same. Read more and register: Church Planters Academy Read more
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