Spiritual warfare is a topic that occasionally raises its controversial head at my on-line tavern, but I’ll admit to ducking like a coward when it comes to saying what I think. Since BHT fellow J.S. Bangs tossed this rock at the window, I’ll stick my head outside and yell for a few moments. Then I’llContinue reading “Take it easy on that spiritual warfare stuff”
Category Archives: Theologia
A guide to my issues with Rick Warren
Saw Rick Warren on Larry King tonight. (Gee, Larry. Time to hang it up. Your comments sound demented.) Rick was everything I know and shake my head over. Mediocre. Full of cliches. Muddled about the Gospel, but mostly sorta kinda right. I found myself thinking I was watching the natural progression from Wesley to FinneyContinue reading “A guide to my issues with Rick Warren”
Better to be an honest unbeliever than pretending it’s easy to believe: Spencer’s Ten Point Argument for Faith Revisited
A few days ago, I received an 81 page manuscript from a person who reads my work, describing his recent conversion to atheism and how my writing played a role in his “de-conversion” from Christianity. This is the second time an atheist has told me I’ve played some part in his desertion of Christianity. IContinue reading “Better to be an honest unbeliever than pretending it’s easy to believe: Spencer’s Ten Point Argument for Faith Revisited”
Sin to spite the devil
“Whenever the devil harasses you, seek the company of men or drink more, or joke and talk nonsense, or do some other merry thing. Sometimes we must drink more, sport, recreate ourselves, and even sin a little to spite the devil, so that we leave him no place for troubling our consciences with trifles. WeContinue reading “Sin to spite the devil”
Caedmon’s Call: London, Ky 11/3/04
Just returned from seeing Caedmon’s Call with about a 100 OBI students and staff. A few reflections on the concert and the new CD in extended comments.
I’m worse than Bill Maher
You know what? Reading this really makes me angry. I read this, and I’d like to be one of those offended Christians. Call Dobson. Call Roy Moore. Tell the guy off for insulting Christians. All that yap. But you know what? I’m worse than Bill Maher. Lots worse. I stand in the shadow of theContinue reading “I’m worse than Bill Maher”
Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery:” A theological reflection on the Gospel of the scapegoat
Today’s lesson in my AP English IV class was Shirley Jackson’s well-known short story, “The Lottery.” Many of you probably read this story in your senior year of high school. From the standpoint of a teacher, “The Lottery” is a winner because it’s great art and a great starter for discussions. It is a simpleContinue reading “Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery:” A theological reflection on the Gospel of the scapegoat”
To Know We’re Not Alone
It was 1973, a year before my high school graduation. I was sixteen, a young preacher-boy at a revival meeting at a church in our community. I remember the tiny church being packed, but I don’t remember anything about the service, or the sermon or the preacher. I do remember something that happened at theContinue reading “To Know We’re Not Alone”
Contemporary Worship and “The Walnut Street Epiphany”
“Yesterday, in Louisville, at the corner of 4th and Walnut, I was suddenly overwhelmed with the realization that I loved all these people, that they were mine and I theirs, that we could not be alien to one another even though we were total strangers. It was like waking from a dream of separateness, ofContinue reading “Contemporary Worship and “The Walnut Street Epiphany””
Greatness and The Passing of Uncles
My uncles are almost gone. Uncle Charlie’s cancer has returned. My Uncle Joe is nearly blind. My dad’s last brother no longer knows anyone, and you’d never know he was once the seemingly indestructible pastor of my youth. Slowly, they are growing older. Too rapidly, they are going away.
The Internet Monk Archives 