Category Archives: Religion

Arrogance

Posted on May 8, 2013 by

A certain televangelist with the last name Robertson once opened his mouth a few years ago. As is usually the case when this happens, he quickly put his foot in it. How did he manage this? He said that the … Continue reading →

Posted in Religion, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Authority

Posted on May 7, 2013 by

Some time ago I received an email from someone who had a few questions for me as a Baptist and as a theologian: Where did Jesus give instructions that the Christian faith should be based exclusively on a book? Where … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Religion, Theology | 1 Comment

The Name of God

Posted on May 6, 2013 by

God’s name is singular: he only has one: Yahweh. All the other words are designations or descriptions, like referring to myself as “theologian” or “author” or “annoying.” But neither of those is my name. Some people have nick names. And … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Culture, History, Language, Religion, Theology | Leave a comment

The Problem of Suffering

Posted on April 16, 2013 by

The problem of suffering—why a good, powerful God would allow pain and misery—is one that has troubled many, at least since the time of Voltaire. In his book Candide, the atheist Voltaire tries to demonstrate that the horrors that can … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Religion, Theology | Leave a comment

Nostalgia

Posted on April 10, 2013 by

I’m told that there is this thing called nostalgia; it is an emotion of longing for the past, of remembering happier times before today, when all seemed right with the world, when the future was bright and endless. It is … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Religion, Theology | Leave a comment

Random Ramblings on Hermeneutics: On Cultural Differences Between the Bible and Modern America

Posted on April 7, 2013 by

Emphasis on rambling. Also, these are simply preliminary thoughts. Stuff to consider when thinking about biblical interpretation. Some examples of cultural differences between the Bible and Modern America: 1. Monarchy 2. Cities of Refuge for those guilty of killing someone … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Religion, Theology | Leave a comment

God: Harsh Disciplinarian or Permissive Parent?

Posted on April 4, 2013 by

For the second time in as many years, I was tasked with preaching this year’s Palm Sunday service. I chose as my sermon title “God: Harsh Disciplinarian or Permissive Parent?” I suggested that mercy matters more to God than judgment, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Religion, Theology | Leave a comment

The Equality of Women

Posted on April 2, 2013 by

Pastor Ralph Drollinger, who used to be a minister associated with Grace Community Church in Southern California, was quoted in 2004 as writing that a woman is scripturally and specifically “prohibited from leadership in the institutions of marriage, family and … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Language, Religion, Theology | Leave a comment

Intelligent Design

Posted on April 1, 2013 by

I’ve disliked the Intelligent Design concept since I first heard about it several years ago. From the theological standpoint, I believe that the theory is deeply flawed. It is simply a new version of a very old error: the God … Continue reading →

Posted in Religion, Theology | Leave a comment

Image of God

Posted on March 28, 2013 by

Genesis 1:26-27 records the bare statement that Adam and Eve were made in His likeness: Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Religion, Theology | Leave a comment