What does it mean to confess that Jesus is Lord?

Last updated on: January 18, 2016 at 9:02 pm By Chuck Queen

To say that Jesus is Lord is to echo one the earliest and most basic Christian confessions. Lordship language came right out of the Roman culture: Caesar claimed for himself the titles “son of God” and “Lord.” To claim the Lordship of Jesus flew in the face of the powerful Roman Empire. Read more

Is The Bible Lying?

Last updated on: January 10, 2016 at 11:49 pm By Dan Wilkinson

Though the original comment is ostensibly a response to the (blasphemous!) idea that the Bible does not actually condemn homosexuality, and though it lacks a developed argument, it’s a fine example of the sort of mindset that drives many conservative Christians, especially regarding contentious moral issues. Read more

How the Miracles of the Bible Obscure the Miracle of Jesus

Last updated on: January 4, 2016 at 10:56 pm By Guest Contributor

Both testaments of the Christian Bible are rife with miracles. Seas are parted, rain is called for, the sick are healed, food falls from the sky, the dead are raised, and a woman conceives a child by the Holy Spirit. Miracles are so fundamental to the traditional Christmas story that it's hard to imagine a faith that does not take them for granted in some form. Read more

Twelfth Night: Reflections on Epiphany 2016

Last updated on: January 2, 2016 at 8:01 pm By Guest Contributor

Twelfth Night is upon us, the eve of Epiphany when we remember how magi from Persia followed to Jesus’ birthing place an unusual God-flung orb of light that appeared in the heavens. The word “epiphany” means “manifestation” or “a striking appearance.” Read more

What’s splitting your church? Worship music or genocide?

Last updated on: May 17, 2016 at 5:39 pm By Guest Contributor

A tale of two churches. Read more

Mary and Joseph discussing amongst themselves

Last updated on: December 24, 2015 at 1:21 pm By John Shore

(Hello, friends. I want to wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas [and/or the happiest of holiday seasons]. Below is something I wrote a few years back, which, every year, I’m happy to learn of at least one church somewhere performing as part of their Christmas celebration. I share it here now because … because Merry Christmas.) Joseph: How do you feel, Mary? Mary: Pregnant. Very pregnant. Joseph: Are you comfortable? Do you have enough hay?... Read more

Why Two Christmas Stories Are Better Than One

Last updated on: January 20, 2016 at 7:29 pm By Guest Contributor

My falling out with Christian culture and my journey through biblical scholarship over the last several years have complicated and ultimately transformed my relationship with Christmas, particularly with the nativity traditions found in the Bible. The notion of a singular, harmonious, “biblical” Christmas story runs into all sorts of trouble when the texts are read attentively. Read more

Advent Four: Do You Hear What I Hear?

Last updated on: December 19, 2015 at 11:55 am By Guest Contributor

Snow falls. Gently. Lights twinkle in houses festive with welcoming wreathes. Santa and eight tiny reindeer alight on a snow-softened roof. Enchanted. Perfect. -- “Bah Humbug!” Read more

White Supremacy and the Pulpit: What the White Church Must Learn from Charleston

Last updated on: December 17, 2015 at 4:24 pm By Guest Contributor

Today marks the six-month anniversary of the shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. Though other stories now dominate the headlines, and though the trial of Dylann Roof is at least a half-year away, the issues raised by the events of that horrific day are still sadly relevant. Read more