I recently saw an article which I did not have time in the moment to read and have not found since, but the head line was to the effect "Columbus is a Part of Our Heritage". I have since been thinking about Christopher Columbus and our celebration of the "discovery of America". I do think... Continue Reading →
Cringe worthy church signs are all too familiar, the person behind this sign probably did not even give it a second look because obviously "Jesus cares". (If you are looking for good church signs try here.) This sign represents a real problem in Christian circles-- sometimes we simply do not know how to communicate. There... Continue Reading →
“Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.” 1 Corinthians 1:26 The phrase “not many of you were wise” has stuck with me the last few days as I continue to hear... Continue Reading →
I have been brushing up on some elements of Church history for a lecture I am giving Saturday (you can find more info here). I read about the Roman Emperor Constantine who, though "converting" to Christianity in 312, put off his baptism until near his death in 337. I confess I have not been much... Continue Reading →
I live in rural Ohio and 95% of my community is white. Over the last year I have had several conversations with individuals on race and racism. I find that many people have difficulty with the idea of racism because they believe racism must be overt and individual if it exists. What does that mean?... Continue Reading →
This week marks the 20th anniversary of September 11, 2001; such an occurrence would have generated significant emotion on its own but with the United States removing troops from Afghanistan and the ensuing chaos such tensions are even higher. I had a post written about this event when I saw an editorial cartoon posted by... Continue Reading →
One of the questions I am often asked is what is my favorite argument against atheism, I somewhat sarcastically respond "A B.A.!" I recognize this is a snarky answer but it is somewhat clever and it has a few nuances behind it number one I do think that a person well educated in the arts... Continue Reading →
"A healthy body is not a body that experiences no pain, a healthy body is a body that feels the pain of its weakest part"Paul Brand I shared this quote over the weekend and it has really made me think. If you are unfamiliar with Dr. Paul Brand, his work focused on Hansen's Disease (leprosy).... Continue Reading →
I do not often write book reviews on my blog, but occasionally a book strikes me in such a way that I feel compelled to do so, a book like L. Daniel Hawk's The Violence of the Biblical God Eerdman's, 2019. Full disclosure I know Dr. Hawk personally and enjoy a cup of coffee with... Continue Reading →
In advanced matters of theology absolute confidence is possible only for two classes of people, saints and idiots.Origen of Alexandria Origen is not widely regarded in Church circles because some of his beliefs were deemed heresy and understandably many people are reluctant to listen too closely to him. I find I become more guarded when... Continue Reading →
Squinting in the Light 