I am admittedly a child of the 80’s. I grew up in Cold-War paranoia and still find it difficult to understand how it has been 30 years since the Chicago Bears shuffled to a Super Bowl win under Coach Ditka. I love reading books from the 80’s once in a while. There is something fascinating to me … Read more about 1984 Theology
Y is for Y2K
In December 1999 I got a call from a newspaper reporter. They were calling pastors and religious leaders in our city to see what they were telling their people about Y2K. When the article came out I was the only pastor who was telling their people not to worry and that the real fear was people … Read more about Y is for Y2K
W is for the Word of God (and Wesleyan Quad)
There is no phrase that is more misused, or more contentious, than The Word of God. We might need to take a vacation from throwing the phrase around as a tight summary until we pull it apart and clarify its multiple uses. The Word of God, when used properly, carries three layers of … Read more about W is for the Word of God (and Wesleyan Quad)
7th Inning Stretch for the ABC’s of Theology
I was out of town this week on a youth service trip and want to thank Micky and Callid for taking S and T in our ABC's of Theology series. Micky wrote on Salvation. Callid took Theopoetics. You can also hear Callid and Kristina Keefe-Perry chat about M N and O on a little TNT podcast. I … Read more about 7th Inning Stretch for the ABC’s of Theology
R is for Revelation and the book of Revelation
Revelation is a topic sure to bring raised blood-pressure and raised voices! This is true no matter which ‘revelation’ you mean. ‘Revelation’ to theologians and philosophers is a meta-category addressing the manner and result of this concept. ‘Revelation’ to most … Read more about R is for Revelation and the book of Revelation
4 Attempts at Approaching God
Over Christmas my brother-in-law, who is a fellow pastor, wanted to have a conversation about approaches to God - specifically as it related to epistemology. Although we both went to the same Bible college more then 20 years ago, our paths have headed in different directions and our hope was to … Read more about 4 Attempts at Approaching God
Avoiding That Awful Number: 666
A quirky and sad story has emerged out of Kentucky this week. In one of the strangest cases of purported religious beliefs intersecting with athletic performance, a Kentucky junior cross country runner voluntarily walked away from a chance to qualify for the state meet to avoid running with the bib … Read more about Avoiding That Awful Number: 666
You have to believe in Hell, Predestination, Election and the Book of Revelation
On last week’s TNT I said something that I have heard a lot of positive - and some negative - feedback on. I thought it would be good to continue the conversation here on the blog. My assertion was that: If you are a Christian, you have to believe something about hell. It is just not an option to … Read more about You have to believe in Hell, Predestination, Election and the Book of Revelation
Trayvon Martin, Creation Ex Nihilo, Rachel Held Evans, & a Violent God: Why the Short Story is a Violent One
It has been quite a contentious week for God on the internet! Here is a quick snapshot: This week the parents of Trayvon Martin rejected the apology from George Zimmerman. According to CBS News: The parents of Trayvon Martin say they have a hard time accepting George Zimmerman's nationally … Read more about Trayvon Martin, Creation Ex Nihilo, Rachel Held Evans, & a Violent God: Why the Short Story is a Violent One
Reading the Bible that tricky 3rd way
I love reading the Bible. I grew up reading it, I am passionate about studying it, and delight to preach from it whenever I get the chance. I also recognize that it is getting harder to do in our contemporary context. I am a loud critic of simple dualism (constantly contending with my Evangelical … Read more about Reading the Bible that tricky 3rd way
Bananas, Bullies and the Bible – you can’t start in the middle
by Bo Sanders Let me say upfront what I’m going to end with and then build from there: You can’t verbalize the way things are - which is a result of the way things have been - as proof that this is how it should always be. Creation ‘expert’ Ray Comfort famously made a fool of himself by … Read more about Bananas, Bullies and the Bible – you can’t start in the middle
TNT: Eschatology – Resurrection call and response
What do N.T. Wright, Marcus Borg and John Cobb have in common? This podcast! In this hour, Tripp and Bo take 4 calls from hotline and respond to questions about eschatology and the resurrection. You can call in with any questions or comments at 678-590-2739 (brew) and let us know what you … Read more about TNT: Eschatology – Resurrection call and response