Category: Theology and Practice
Piercing a Hole in the Heavens
I recently left K-12 school administration to plant a church. Now, when asked what I do, I reply, “I’m a pastor,” which is when things get interesting. Many people have trouble knowing what to say next. Often an individual will...
The Dogma of Minimalist Drama
In his comedy sketch about “Stuff,” George Carlin joked that the whole meaning of life can be described as “Trying to find a place to put your stuff!” After all, that’s what a house is: it’s a “place to keep...
Keeping Vaclav Benda’s Door Open
I don’t think there’s anyone better to explain to Rod Dreher where he went wrong in his recent posts about the death of George Floyd than Rod Dreher. When I wrote to him (Update #8 in that linked post), I...
In Defense of Premodern Exegesis
During my early training as a pastor and theologian, many of my mentors warned me that emulating the exegetical method of the Church Fathers is a dangerous game. The concerns were typically twofold. First, there is the concern that the...
Getting Back to Our Bodies: Feminism, Ontology, and Metaphysics
The onslaught of comments following J.K. Rowling’s critique of gender theory demonstrates an ever-growing confusion toward sexual difference and the concept of personhood more generally. “If sex isn’t real,” she tweeted, “the lived reality of women globally is erased. I...
Pastors, Priests, and Police: Understanding the Third Commandment
As people in the U.S and many parts of the world gathered to protest against police abuse a connection hit me between the current protests, the on-going clergy abuse scandals, and the third commandment from the decalogue. While it may...
The Search for Anglican Identity
By M. H. Turner Table of Contents (printable PDF) Introduction The Anglican Disposition? The Anglican Branch? The Anglican Via Media? The Anglican Attraction? Why Does There Need to Be a Search for Anglican Identity? Conclusion Introduction The word Anglicanism may...
D. B. Hart’s Inquisitor
“It is hard to understand the psychology of pious Christians who calmly accept the fact that their neighbors, friends, and relatives will perhaps be damned. I cannot resign myself to the fact that the man with whom I am drinking...
Be Fearful as Christ was Fearful
Be not afraid. Thus does Holy Scripture instruct the people of God time and again. In every manner of situation, God or Christ or an angel of the Lord disarms the fright of mere mortals overawed by divine glory or...
The Sweeping View of the Gospel in Colossians
Paul’s letter to the Colossians rarely gets the attention it deserves. It may not offer the therapeutic comfort of Philippians or a much-needed guidance amidst mounting ethical concerns as in his Corinthian letters. However, in Colossians, Paul offers one of...