Science and Religion: The Casualties of an Unnecessary War

Last updated on: June 12, 2019 at 12:16 pm By Frederick Schmidt

Cross posted from a recent article that I wrote for rightingamerica.net: https://rightingamerica.net/science-and-religion-the-casualties-of-an-unnecessary-war/?fbclid=IwAR3XjbcPhJTJwaqsulJsxaChY701EjypbZLyAewGLVg-owiKhPAj_Yrr3gw In a recent exchange of views Sarah Olson, a formerly conservative Christian-turned-atheist, responded to Razib Kahn, who is a Muslim-turned-atheist. Kahn argues that Christians should not be afraid of evolutionary theory and Olson argues that they should be. What is interesting about the exchange is what they hold in common. Both are atheists. Both assume that conflict between science and religion is a given, and both presuppose a... Read more

Jesus never said, “Go make others do things.”

Last updated on: June 7, 2019 at 2:40 pm By Frederick Schmidt

One of the trends in Christian activism of late seems to be focused on telling others what to do. It isn’t a pattern characteristic of one end of the theological spectrum. Both ends indulge an unhealthy interest in the failings and fate of others. The only variable seems to be the focus of the advice offered. To generalize — only a little bit — the only real question is whether the failing is personal or social. Tim LaHaye’s Left Behind... Read more

3 Problems with the Self-Care Conversation

Last updated on: May 21, 2019 at 11:57 am By Frederick Schmidt

At the end of an academic year I often find myself reflecting on questions that lurk just beyond the seminary classroom but impinge on the work that we do. This year one of the issues that I found myself reflecting on again is the emphasis that we place on self-care. It surfaced as a part of our conversation about spiritual direction and it was there this year, again, in the number of “accommodations” that students requested, including the option of... Read more

Is Notre Dame Worth Saving?

Last updated on: April 19, 2019 at 10:02 am By Frederick Schmidt

In the wake of the fire at Notre Dame, I have been struck by the uncomprehending character of many of the comments made by journalists and scholars. Writers have talked about the Cathedral as a repository of European culture. They have harkened back to Kenneth Clark’s use of the Cathedral as a visual for “civilization.” And others have talked about Notre Dame as a “work of art.” But none of these descriptions comes close to capturing the building’s purpose or... Read more

Seven Reasons to Be an Episcopalian

Last updated on: April 12, 2019 at 7:48 pm By Frederick Schmidt

My wife, The Reverend Natalie Van Kirk, is Rector of Saint Barnabas, Glen Ellyn, Illinois. We have been preaching a series of sermons based upon what we have called, “Questions Our Youth Are Asking.” It has been a good service and their questions have been thought provoking. One of the most recent questions was, “What does it mean to be an Episcopalian?” That’s been a popular question for a long time, but I’m not always sure that even we Episcopalians... Read more

Why Pray?

Last updated on: March 25, 2019 at 9:28 am By Frederick Schmidt

In recent weeks, my wife and I have been tag-teaming on a sermon series devoted to questions that our youth have been asking. One of the most recent of those, was the question, “Why do I pray for other people and myself?” It’s a question a lot of us ask ourselves and it prompted me to think back across the shape of my prayers, which I had never really attempted. As far as I can remember, as a child my... Read more

Finding Unity in Divisive Times

Last updated on: March 5, 2019 at 9:28 am By Frederick Schmidt

The outcome of last week’s General Conference held by United Methodists was not at all surprising. As I have said in other articles, Protestantism — it seems — is made for schism and our tradition of national conferences or conventions has become a thin veil for the political maneuvering and animosity that is rife in the civic square. Even the ugliness on both sides was predictable. Speakers indulged in epithets and demonization. Denominational leaders who insisted that the church needed... Read more

Without a Prayer: Conferences, Conventions and Discerning the Will of God

Last updated on: February 25, 2019 at 3:24 pm By Frederick Schmidt

I have a number of friends at the United Methodist General Conference, where the denomination is making decisions that will determine the future of their denomination. Most of those friends are observers or belong to the press corps, but they are also lifelong Methodists, so they offer a fairly personal window into the experience. As I listen in, I must say that nothing that I have heard thus far really surprises me, particularly having lived through my own denomination’s battles... Read more

Methodism and American Protestants: Built for Schism?

Last updated on: February 23, 2019 at 10:30 am By Frederick Schmidt

As my Methodist siblings approach their General Conference, many have been looking for a way to hold their denomination together, and not a few have agonized over the prospect that they are headed for schism. While it is hard to be definitive, there seems to be more evidence than not that Methodists are going to part company with one another. “Denial,” as they say, “is not just a river in Egypt.” For one thing, as much as traditonalists and progressives... Read more

7 Reasons Jordan Peterson is More Popular than Most Churches

Last updated on: February 13, 2019 at 7:14 pm By Frederick Schmidt

Jordan Peterson, Canadian psychologist is far more wildly popular than most Canadians and most psychologists. Where he is not popular he has been the flashpoint for considerable debate and controversy. Who would have thought that a professor of psychology with a deep interest in the work of Karl Jung and Friedrich Nietzshe could generate so much public interest. Heather Higgins at The Hill reports that scalpers are asking $500 for the cheap seats and $1000 for front row, center at... Read more