The President just finished his news conference about the plan to combat ISIS (ISIL). I am somewhere between confused and infuriated - baffled and livid. The beheadings are horrific. The threat is undeniable. But ... is this really the American response? My concern is that the US … Read more about We are at war again?
Jesus (movies) On My Mind
I have Jesus on my mind a lot these days. The 'Son of God' movie was released last weekend. I was semi-interested in the conversation surrounding its release but with a trip to the East coast for family stuff and being off the internet most of time, I watched it all from a distance. The … Read more about Jesus (movies) On My Mind
Jihad v. McWorld: How We Imagine A Nation part 4
A Second Shift In the previous 3 parts we established that a significant shift took place in the late 19th and early 20th century. This initial shift in modernity has subsequently created the possibility of a second, more contemporary, move that I want to explore. Taylor provides the context of … Read more about Jihad v. McWorld: How We Imagine A Nation part 4
How We Imagine A Nation part 3
In the shadow of the Sochi Olympics and the unfolding tension in the Ukraine, we are exploring the theme/thesis that: 'Nation' is both sovereign and transcendent. 'Nation' is both a social imaginary and an emergent reality. Benedict Anderson explains that the notion of imagined communities … Read more about How We Imagine A Nation part 3
How We Imagine A Nation part 2
In part 1 I introduced a theme/thesis for this series of posts: ‘Nation’ is both sovereign and transcendent. ‘Nation’ is both a social imaginary and an emergent reality. Charles Taylor utilizes the term ‘social imaginary’ to refer to god-like capacity described by Anderson. The term … Read more about How We Imagine A Nation part 2
How We Imagine A Nation part 1
Watching the Olympics was different for me this time. During the past four years I have been in a PhD program and have burrowed down into topics that have deeply impacted me. Within one of my cognate fields (non-core studies) I addressed the issue of nationalism and the modern imaginary. The … Read more about How We Imagine A Nation part 1
This Pope is even good for Protestants
I love this new Pope! Not because I agree with everything he says or does - nor should I. I'm not even Catholic. Not a week goes by without someone asking me about the new Pope. Every time he reaches out to some unexpected soul, I am going to get asked about it. A kid in a wheelchair - did … Read more about This Pope is even good for Protestants
‘Atheist Churches’ are more traditional than Emergents
I am loving the conversations that have come out of the publicity tour of Sunday Assemblies. The feedback and pushback that is being generated by these 'atheist churches' is proving very informative. I am actually learning a lot about how people think of church, atheism, tradition, and … Read more about ‘Atheist Churches’ are more traditional than Emergents
Atheist Churches: a fad or the future?
My newsfeed has seen a steady stream of articles about the new trend of ‘atheist churches’ racing by this past week. Much of it seems to revolve around a successful publicity tour by British comedy duo Sanderson Jones and Pippa Evans, who are currently: on a tongue-in-cheek "40 Dates, 40 Nights" … Read more about Atheist Churches: a fad or the future?
Homosexuality: the difference between TV and Greek Tragedy
Blogging is a fascinating way to interact with people over an issue or topic. Once in while a blog will unexpectedly come back to life after months of lying dormant. It usually happens when A) somebody references it month later B) when the topic hits the news again. The dying embers leap back to … Read more about Homosexuality: the difference between TV and Greek Tragedy
5 Biggest Changes for Pastors in the Last 50 Years
I’m preparing to facilitate a conversation with some colleagues in the new year about ministry and honoring tradition. I want to begin - and thus frame - the conversation with the changing culture that we are products of, interact with and attempt to minister to. It is a different way to approach … Read more about 5 Biggest Changes for Pastors in the Last 50 Years
McLaren Changed His Mind
Brian McLaren recently posted a very interesting note from a former fan who was feeling the need to 'break ranks' with the author over his position regarding homosexuality. I wanted to post part of it here for several reasons. I have been saying that 'People Do Change Their Minds'. We … Read more about McLaren Changed His Mind