Category Archives: Riffs

Riffing on Richard Beck and Why God Matters

Riffing on Richard Beck and Why God Matters In a recent post at the always excellent Experimental Theology blog, Richard Beck opines that the most important question facing Christians and churches today in this pandemic is why God matters to us. He gives two examples of Christian reactions to the Covid-19 crisis that he hasContinue reading “Riffing on Richard Beck and Why God Matters”

Lillian Daniel: Every Spiritual Home (a Riff)

Excerpt from the chapter, “Every Spiritual Home” From: When “Spiritual but Not Religious” Is Not Enough: Seeing God in Surprising Places, Even the Church by Lillian Daniel Jericho Books, 2013 * * * These days, very few people who join our church were raised in the denomination or tradition we are a part of, and we areContinue reading “Lillian Daniel: Every Spiritual Home (a Riff)”

Another Look: It’s OK…to Just Be a Christian

By Chaplain Mike I thought this post from last year (4/19/10) was worth another look. I hope you will too. It’s a bit of a riff on the question asked by the prophet Micah: “What does the Lord require of you?” (Micah 6:8) In the light of last week’s discussions on “radical” and other adjectivesContinue reading “Another Look: It’s OK…to Just Be a Christian”

Riffs: 11:23:09: Required Behavior Modification and the Gospel

Like any and all Riffs, these are simply some of my thoughts inspired by other posts and discussions. Not a throw down, etc. This morning at evangel, Joe Carter voiced some of his frustration at the way the “law/Gospel” distinction sounds to his ears. I’ve wrestled with this myself on this site. Then, in theContinue reading “Riffs: 11:23:09: Required Behavior Modification and the Gospel”

Riffs: 11:14:09: Patrol Magazine and Evangelicals Who Won’t “Get Over It”

I asked for permission to reprint an entire editorial column from the always provocative and frequently dead-on-target Patrol Magazine. It’s entitled “Get Over It.” It’s the latest installment in The Coming Evangelical Collapse, as far as I’m concerned. There aren’t enough ways to say “Yes” and “Amen” to this editorial. I’ll have more to sayContinue reading “Riffs: 11:14:09: Patrol Magazine and Evangelicals Who Won’t “Get Over It””

Riffs: 11:07:09: The New/Old Look Evangelical Ecumenism: IVCF Splits at GWU

This is a bit of old news to theological news hounds out there, but it fits in with this week’s discussion and yesterday’s post rather well. IVCF at George Washington University has split over reformation theology. There is plenty of interesting reading here, btw. Good article. Short version: a sizable contingent of students with concernsContinue reading “Riffs: 11:07:09: The New/Old Look Evangelical Ecumenism: IVCF Splits at GWU”

Riffs: 10:20:09: The Status of the Reformation according to 9 Marks and B16

UPDATE: Fr. Dwight Longnecker has a great analysis of what the new RCC/Anglican arrangement will mean and how it will work. The 9 Marks blog is increasingly, uh…interesting….from a post-evangelical perspective. Jonathan Leeman writes about the danger of seminary profs being disconnected from the local church, a point that I fully agree with based onContinue reading “Riffs: 10:20:09: The Status of the Reformation according to 9 Marks and B16”

Riffs: 10:01:09: Special Needs Members OR How I Was Right and Wrong About Baptizing An Autistic Boy

PLEASE keep this discussion on topic. No Baptist bashing. First, read Matt Schmucker’s short piece regarding his advice on “special needs” church members. (Note to commenters: be respectful of Matt, please. If you disagree, do so graciously.) In 1983 I was finishing seminary and serving as youth minister at a church near the seminary andContinue reading “Riffs: 10:01:09: Special Needs Members OR How I Was Right and Wrong About Baptizing An Autistic Boy”

Riffs: 08:12:09: Architecture for the Glory of God

UPDATE: This has been a great conversation, but we’re starting to get some drive-by comments with little substance. Keep the tone and content to a high standard please. WATCH: This short video- 8 minutes- of the building of a Gothic worship center for Covenant Presbyterian (PCA) church in Nashville. Don’t comment without watching, please. CovenantContinue reading “Riffs: 08:12:09: Architecture for the Glory of God”