Author Archives: Chaplainmike

Brueggemann: Virus as a Summons to Faith (1)

Walter Brueggemann has written a book of theological meditations about our current state of affairs as humankind deals with the viral pandemic that has stopped the world in its tracks. Such an attention-demanding crisis has (appropriately) preoccupied us with discovering, defining, and putting into practice responsible actions that will protect people, alleviate suffering, and keepContinue reading “Brueggemann: Virus as a Summons to Faith (1)”

Ron Rolheiser on Churches as Field Hospitals

Ron Rolheiser on Churches as Field Hospitals Most of us are familiar with Pope Francis’ comment that today the church needs to be a field hospital. What’s implied here? First, that right now the church is not a field hospital, or at least not much of one. Too many churches of all denominations see theContinue reading “Ron Rolheiser on Churches as Field Hospitals”

On Conspiracy Theories as Gnosticism

Conspiracy theories are a lot like Gnosticism. They claim that only an enlightened few know what is actually going on in the world and what almost everyone else knows is a lie; that the knowledge available to the average person on the street is unreliable The true believer who spreads these conspiracies is like theContinue reading “On Conspiracy Theories as Gnosticism”

Science and the Pandemic

Science and the Pandemic The American Institute for Economic Research (AIER) has an article by Donald J. Boudreaux entitled, “Science and the Pandemic”.  AIER is the same organization that promoted the video, now gone viral, of two private urgent-care physicians, Dr. Dan Erickson and Dr. Artin Massihi, discussing whether the societal shutdown is still necessary.Continue reading “Science and the Pandemic”

Well, well. A significant breakthrough on justification?

Well, well. A significant breakthrough on justification? This fourth edition thus represents a complete reappraisal of every aspect of previous editions, including their structure and format. Those using this work for teaching purposes should thus ensure that they familiarise themselves with these structural and scholarly changes. My continuing engagement with both primary and secondary sourcesContinue reading “Well, well. A significant breakthrough on justification?”

Tuesday with Michael Spencer: It’s going to take courage

Tuesday with Michael Spencer It’s going to take courage (from a post in 2008) If the truth about Christianity turned out to be very different from what we’d been taught as young Christians by people we look up to as mentors and authorities, would we stand up and tell the truth? Would we make theContinue reading “Tuesday with Michael Spencer: It’s going to take courage”

The Consummate Cockburn Collection – Part One

For those who don’t know Bruce Cockburn, he is a Canadian folk / folk-rock singer / songwriter / political activist, who between the years of 1970 and 2019 has released 36 albums.   There were a couple of things that first attracted me to him.  He was someone who said he was a follower of Jesus,Continue reading “The Consummate Cockburn Collection – Part One”

Richard Rohr on Liminal Space

Richard Rohr on Liminal Space Liminal space is an inner state and sometimes an outer situation where we can begin to think and act in new ways. It is where we are betwixt and between, having left one room or stage of life but not yet entered the next. We usually enter liminal space whenContinue reading “Richard Rohr on Liminal Space”