I am not a fan of dualism. For the most part I push back against simple binaries. This is not because they are inherently evil. It is because they so often do not accurately reflect the reality of the situation. They are a misconstruel of the data that neglects the complexity of variables present … Read more about Day 2: Double Vision
Moving Toward Multiplicity
Listening to Howard Zinn (author of the classic A People’s History of the United States) at a town hall meeting style presentation recorded in 2007 (you can get it on Itunes from WGBH Politics) I was struck by the need to recognize the sheer complexity of issues and multiplicity of … Read more about Moving Toward Multiplicity
People Do Change Their Minds
Recently I was reading an article by Richard A. Muller called “The Conversion of a Climate-Change Skeptic” in the NY Times. Muller is a professor of physics at the University of California, Berkeley, and is the author of “Energy for Future Presidents: The Science Behind the Headlines.” Muller begins … Read more about People Do Change Their Minds
Evil Is as Evil Does
Earlier this week I wrote about Dealing with Demons - a progressive take, and in it I mentioned that the Devil was a personification of when evil is too big and too bad for us to comprehend as a human result ... we outsource to an ancient, cosmic bad guy. Many were able to track with the demon … Read more about Evil Is as Evil Does
Does one need to understand theology before one can not believe in God?
Last week I posted on an interesting article (I'm not Sure most Christians know that) where Terry Eagelton reviewed Richard Dawkins’ book the God Delusion. One of the concerns that showed up in responses to both that post and to Eagelton was whether, if one has dismissed the idea of God as some … Read more about Does one need to understand theology before one can not believe in God?
What has changed since I was your pastor
Last week I had chance to return to the place where I had been a pastor for 11 years. I have been away for 4 years pursuing higher education. It was great to reconnect with folks that I love very much. The trip also included a chance to head out into the woods with a group of guys for a week-long … Read more about What has changed since I was your pastor
Proposing an Alternative to the Predicament
Part 1 of Peter Bannister's review is here. Sketching an alternative proposal What options then may be open to readers who share Clayton’s and Knapp’s concern for a dynamic Christology, but who want to retain a more traditional theological framework? Here I can of course only offer the … Read more about Proposing an Alternative to the Predicament
Considering Clayton’s Conundrum
Guest post by Peter Bannister The Predicament of Belief by Philip Clayton and Steven Knapp is a first-rate book - both highly thought-provoking and courageous. Philip Clayton has consistently shown himself to be one of the Church’s most creative thinkers and is perhaps unequalled in offering … Read more about Considering Clayton’s Conundrum
The Predicament of believing Philip Clayton
This is a difficult era for those who find themselves committed to the values of scientific rationality and yet moved by the claims of a religious tradition. That is how the preface to Philip Clayton’s new book The Predicament of Belief begins. I am always a little jealous of people who have a … Read more about The Predicament of believing Philip Clayton
Hitchens helped my faith
Say what you want about him (and many have said plenty) but the passing of Christopher Hitchens is a sad thing. He was perhaps the most mean-spirited of the self-titled 4 Horsemen of the New Atheists - the others being Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Daniel Dennett - but he was effective. I … Read more about Hitchens helped my faith
Sex, Science, & Salvation with Rachel Held Evans (RATT pt.1)
Rachel Held Evans is the coolest evangelical blogger on planet earth. I had this idea to try Video Blogging with her about random stuff that comes up in the online world. Here's our first attempt and I would love to hear your thoughts and, if it's worth doing, some other topics and such to … Read more about Sex, Science, & Salvation with Rachel Held Evans (RATT pt.1)