Author Archives: Chaplainmike

Brueggemann: The hurt God and the possibility of faithfulness

Walter Brueggemann is among my favorite Bible commentators and theologians. He represents a generation of scholars in a tradition that my evangelical/fundamentalist roots taught me to avoid. But though he comes from the Protestant mainline with its history of embracing higher critical approaches to the Bible, Brueggemann, like many others has been honest about theContinue reading “Brueggemann: The hurt God and the possibility of faithfulness”

Another Look: If there is an overriding narrative theme in scripture, this is it . . .

If I were asked to summarize the primary narrative theme of the Bible with one brief verse, I would choose a line from the Lord’s Prayer: “Bring in your kingdom so that your will is done on earth as it’s done in heaven” (Matthew 6:10, CEB). The story of the Bible is about God establishing his KingdomContinue reading “Another Look: If there is an overriding narrative theme in scripture, this is it . . .”

Pete Enns: No Turning Back

No Turning Back: 5 Insights about the Old Testament from Modern Biblical Scholarship By Peter Enns Pete blogs at The Bible for Normal People • • • These 5 insights overlap a bit, but here they are. (1) The Old Testament is an ancient Near Eastern phenomenon.  A rather obvious point, perhaps, but worth putting at the topContinue reading “Pete Enns: No Turning Back”

Adam: Israel’s first king

Adam is the prototypical king who is called to conquer the Promised Land. • Seth D. Postell • • • Awhile back we did a post called “Fundamental Mistakes in Reading Genesis 1-2.” One of the points of that piece was that, when reading the creation story, people miss clues that show all was not right withContinue reading “Adam: Israel’s first king”

Sundays with Michael Spencer: September 27, 2015

Every time I feel like I have lost my way in the Christian life, I find myself back looking at monasticism, and the lessons I learned in two decades of reading Thomas Merton. I’m not attracted to Catholicism, but I am very much attracted to the tradition of self-conscious, disciplined spiritual formation into a discipleContinue reading “Sundays with Michael Spencer: September 27, 2015”

Saturday Ramblings: September 27, 2015 – Papal Visit Edition

It’s the first weekend of autumn, here in the northern hemisphere, which means it’s springtime for Argentinian Pope Francis. That’s true in a metaphorical sense as well — the Pope has achieved a wonderful position of popularity right now. And then he came to the U.S. (motto: “We don’t kiss no stinkin’ rings!”). No, actually, theContinue reading “Saturday Ramblings: September 27, 2015 – Papal Visit Edition”

Bringing Ultimate Harmony to Creation

Eschatology Week Part 5: Bringing Ultimate Harmony to Creation Previous Posts Part 1: The Christian Hope = Resurrection Part 2: Eschatology starts in our past Part 3: Jesus’ Future Presence Part 4: Setting the World Right I believe . . . He will come again to judge the living and the dead. • The Apostles’ Creed •Continue reading “Bringing Ultimate Harmony to Creation”