There has been a great discussion in the comment section of the latest TNT episode where Tripp talks with LeRon Shults and Barry Taylor, both of whom I admire. Shults defends a form of radical theology and at one point even uses the term "atheist" to describe himself. His ontology is a strictly … Read more about Naturalism is not Enough: Or, Why Transcendence is not the Problem
How (not) to speak (about the power) of God
I appreciated many things about the most recent TNT episode in which Tripp and Bo dealt with some of the questions and common misconceptions of process theology and its differences from other theologies like Arminianism and open theism. I also enjoyed the exchange between Tripp and Brandon in the … Read more about How (not) to speak (about the power) of God
Radical Monotheism as True Faith
There are always limitations to using certain thinkers from the mid-twentieth century for theological and ethical application today. In the case of H. Richard Niebuhr and his book Radical Monotheism though, I'm pretty convinced the distinctions he makes hold their ground. "To deny the reality of a … Read more about Radical Monotheism as True Faith
Dallas Willard, Evangelical Salvation, and the Spirituality of Resistance
"Isn’t the whole point of Christianity salvation? Not in terms of being “saved” from “eternal fire” but in terms of being saved from bondage, shame, fear, injustice, and all the other hells around us all the time… so that we can become new beings and find our true identities to “save” this world and … Read more about Dallas Willard, Evangelical Salvation, and the Spirituality of Resistance
Christian Social Justice and “the Common Good”?
I'm a big admirer and supporter of Sojourners Magazine and its editor-in-chief Jim Wallis, who was just interviewed on the Homebrewed Christianity Culture Cast again, and just released a new book entitled On God's Side: What Religion Forgets and Politics hasn't Learned about Serving the Common … Read more about Christian Social Justice and “the Common Good”?
Why Missio Alliance and Subverting the Norm need each other
Giving his toast to Jacques Derrida during the Live Homebrewed Christianity “Theology of Rock” podcast at the Subverting the Norm conference earlier this month, Jack Caputo made the following comment: [Derrida belongs on the Mount Rushmore of Radical Theology because] “he saves us from the safety of … Read more about Why Missio Alliance and Subverting the Norm need each other
Tony Jones, A Better Atonement, and the Future of Emergent Church Theology
There’s been a heavy slew of blog posts and books lately on why young adults are leaving the church (see Frank Schaeffer, Christian Piatt, Dianna Butler Bass, etc.). And Bass is awesome in her interview by the way! This is a good conversation to have, and I think the practical issues definitely … Read more about Tony Jones, A Better Atonement, and the Future of Emergent Church Theology
The Church and Global Crises: Putting our Money where our Mission is
After engaging further with the work of recent Homebrewed guests like Doug Pagitt and Mark Scandrette, and with all the talk recently about various process eschatologies (the Emergent Village Theological Conversation), the issue of the church's mission and its direct role in addressing the foremost … Read more about The Church and Global Crises: Putting our Money where our Mission is
Part III: Fitch’s New Evangelical Politic
The “Christian nation” concept is a the third “Master-Signifier” for evangelicals that has made God’s work something to be done and fought for “out there.” This is what has bread dispassion (see also Greg Boyd's Myth of a Christian Nation). David Fitch wants to expose the Jouissance (Zizek's term … Read more about Part III: Fitch’s New Evangelical Politic
Part II: Resurrecting Evangelicalism, Fitch Style
"Have you entered into the salvation already begun in Jesus Christ that God is working for the sake of the whole world?" trumps the question "have you made the decision to receive Christ as your personal Savior?" - David Fitch THE BIBLE: Fitch admits upfront that he has no intention of … Read more about Part II: Resurrecting Evangelicalism, Fitch Style
David Fitch and The End of Evangelicalism? Part I
“. . . even the religion we are commited to and in which we found God and purpose and meaning and truth, can become . . . the religious public relations department for an inadequate and destructive ideology.” – Brian McLaren[i] I think Roger Olson would find a friend in David Fitch (I had the … Read more about David Fitch and The End of Evangelicalism? Part I
Romans 10 in the Spirit of Universalism (not Exclusivism)
It’s worth reiterating the importance of what was said in Deacon Hall’s post about not making demands on God. Only a universalism with this conditioning could be ”biblical.” Indeed, concerning these things, “Do not be arrogant, but tremble” (Rom 11:20). And to stress God's absolute freedom, … Read more about Romans 10 in the Spirit of Universalism (not Exclusivism)