Yesterday I admitted to social construction being my philosophical orientation within my chosen field of Practical Theology (PT). A constructivist view is important in (at least) two ways: It is an admission that we are all subjects of a constructed reality who are both actors and those who are … Read more about Constructivist or Critical Theorist (part 2 of 3)
I’m Into Practical Theology (part 1 of 3)
Philosophy is a hobby for me. I blog about it here a lot because I really enjoy the dialogue and I learn tons in the exchange of ideas. I have had to cut back on blogging as I am now preparing for my qualifying exams. While I am getting a PhD in Practical Theology, the inescapable fact is that the … Read more about I’m Into Practical Theology (part 1 of 3)
Brian McLaren & James Alison on Religion, Violence & Mimetic Theory
When Brian McLaren calls and says, "Tripp you gotta record this & share it. I think James is gonna be gold." then you do it. This episode is a conversation between James Alison & Brian McLaren. It took place as part of a Raven Foundation event that explored how the work of René Girard … Read more about Brian McLaren & James Alison on Religion, Violence & Mimetic Theory
Literally Changing What It Means
Yesterday it came out that the definition of 'literally' was literally being changed in the dictionary. A CNN report said in places as informal as Google and as official as Mariam-Webster and Cambridge dictionaries it is now ""Used to acknowledge that something is not literally true but is used … Read more about Literally Changing What It Means
The Limits of Labels
I have insomnia tonight - a rare occasion these days. I’m not in the mood to read any more about the use of Gadamer’s hermeneutical circle in Practical Theology so I brewed some coffee and revisited some of the online happenings from the past couple of months. I found 3 pairs of things that I … Read more about The Limits of Labels
What On Earth Is The Church Doing? a response to Fitch
In response to the post from earlier this week "Leaving Behind the Liberal Label' I got a fantastic follow-up question from the master of the question mark himself: David Fitch It was so good that I have made my response its own post. I would love your feedback on this one. Bo, Just FYI, … Read more about What On Earth Is The Church Doing? a response to Fitch
Leaving Behind The ‘Liberal’ Label
Once is an incident. Twice is a trend. Three times is a pattern. This the now the 3rd time this thing idea about shying away from the label 'liberal' has come up. I heard it for the first time almost 10 years ago: "Emergents are just cool liberals". This came from conservative, evangelical … Read more about Leaving Behind The ‘Liberal’ Label
The Problem With Prayer
As a pastor I get to talk with a lot of people. The issue of prayer comes up more often than any other topic. I think I understand why but when any pattern is this consistent it piques my attention and compels me to dig a little deeper. The problem, of course, isn’t for those for whom prayer is … Read more about The Problem With Prayer
When God Is Too Powerful
A dear friend of mine is in her final semester of a psychology degree. Somehow Martin Buber came up. The famous work of the Jewish thinker - “I and Thou” - is such a powerful idea from the early 20th century that is resonates in both psychology and theology. Keith Ward explains in God: a … Read more about When God Is Too Powerful
Process Is Poised For A Comeback
Three things have been rattling around in by cranium while I was away this Spring. 1. The cicada’s came back. Every 17 years the Periodical Cicada Brood II emerges to rollick in the Eastern half of the U.S. for a brief but frenzied round of sex and gluttony. We will not see them again for 17 … Read more about Process Is Poised For A Comeback
100 Days in for Pope Francis
This morning I found two stories related to the first 100 days of Pope Francis' tenure. The first was a glowing review by an unlikely source. Esquire magazine had a blog that detailed some of the major highlights. It has now been a little over a hundred days since Francis took over the Vatican. … Read more about 100 Days in for Pope Francis
Go Heretical – in the good way
American Christianity needs to let therapeutic ‘believing’ die in order to move forward and impact the world. A therapeutic form of ‘believing’ is not about individual doctrines or particular answers to any of those age-old questions of existence or the faith. In fact one could be a therapeutic … Read more about Go Heretical – in the good way