Peter Enns, a professor of Old Testament and New Testament Studies at Eastern University, has written a book that is getting a lot of press time in the Christian blogosphere. The book, entitled The Evolution of Adam, attempts to reconcile the Genesis record with modern scientific thought, as well as explain the apostle Paul’s use of… Read More »
Three things most Christians do not know about the Qur'an
I am currently reading Abdullah Yusuf Ali’s 1935 English translation of the Qur’an which is considered the “Authorized” English translation. To the Muslim, any translation of the Qur’an falls short because Muslims believe that the Qur’an is inspired only in Arabic. Any translation is a poor reflection of it, but since I cannot read Arabic,… Read More »
"To Be With God"
Heaven.
That place where you go when you die. First, you stroll through the pearly gates and meet St. Peter, then you get a crown and a mansion and can eat all you want. There’s a temple and lots of holy people around, angels singing from the clouds. You get a harp. It’s great.
Of course, that image is entirely wrong. Oh, some of it is in the Scriptures, but the way we perceive it and the way it will truly be are two different things.
Following Up on Rob Bell's Love Wins
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CKiWMynhQM] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ssj49PIeJYE] Yesterday, I posted an entry about Rob Bell and his latest book, Love Wins. in it, I noted that I think Rob’s theology is a bit loopy and that his definition of hell is different from my own. Today, I want to take my thoughts a bit further and point out where Rob… Read More »
The Unorthodox Review of Rob Bell's Latest
I finished reading Love Wins. Maybe I am more of an apostate than I thought I was, but I did not see anything Rob said that denied the orthodox views of the afterlife. What I did read was an earnest attempt by a very hip pastor to explain how something like hell and judgment can… Read More »
Hey, Rob Bell Wrote a Controversial Book!
You may not have noticed, but here are some people who have. http://www.redletterchristians.org/love-wins-rob-bell-and-the-new-calvinists/ http://www.patheos.com/community/jesuscreed/2011/03/19/rob-bell-reviews/ http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/church/features/25030-is-rob-bell-a-universalist http://www.albertmohler.com/2011/03/16/we-have-seen-all-this-before-rob-bell-and-the-reemergence-of-liberal-theology/ http://www.jesusneedsnewpr.net/my-thoughts-about-rob-bells-interview-lovewins/ http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/03/15/the-blood-drained-gospel-of-rob-bell/ http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/april/lovewins.html http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34868 These are just the links from the last day or two. The book was released on Tuesday and has been flying off the shelves. Christianbook.com announced on their website that due to the controversial nature… Read More »
Valentine's Day Is Here
February 14 is the Festival of St. Valentine. Unfortunately, there are no fewer than fourteen guys named Valentine on the Roman Catholic tally of saints, so no one is completely sure which one is being memorialized. It might be that the day is reserved for all of them – sort of like Veterans’ Day, I… Read More »
The Vision Killing Quick Order Menu
Introduction I actually wrote this list a few years ago, when a friend of mine was struggling with some issues in his congregation. It is meant as a satire, but it is poignant nonetheless. Too often, these kinds of human objections limit the power of the Holy Spirit to direct a congregation. The Vision Killing… Read More »
9/11 Tribute to Usāmah bin Muḥammad bin ‘Awaḍ bin Lādin
Here’s to you, أسامة بن محمد بن عوض بن لادن – Usāmah bin Muḥammad bin ‘Awaḍ bin Lādin. You were born into wealth and happiness, married your first wife at seventeen and have fathered at least a dozen happy kids, most of whom have never seen you. You supported the Arsenal football club as a… Read More »
Be an Atypical Christian
When I was little, the cool Christian leaders had big, black-rimmed glasses, comb overs and three-piece suits. When I was in college, they wore Hawaiian shirts. Since becoming a pastor, they have gone from polo shirts and spiked hair to these sort of button-up t-shirts with strange logos on the shoulder and faux-hawks. In the… Read More »
