We hear a lot of fake news, big and small. It should be no surprise then that fake news has real world consequences. One recent example in the United States is the fake news surrounding vaccinations and the belief that they cause autism. As a result, unvaccinated children are getting the measles virus unnecessarily. Social … Continue reading Did Fake News Affect the Development of Christian Culture?
Bible
Free from Anxieties; A Discussion on Sex
Free from Anxieties; A Discussion on Sex There is an interesting passage in First Corinthians 7 where Paul leads into a discussion about the anxiousness of married and single life. Paul, acting in a pastoral capacity, guides the church in Corinth through a situation that has developed around sex. The situation Paul is addressing in … Continue reading Free from Anxieties; A Discussion on Sex
Paul’s Policy of Accommodation
“To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.” (1 Corinthians 9:22-23) “I have become all things to … Continue reading Paul’s Policy of Accommodation
Where Fire and Water Destroy
Have you heard of this before: If someone is within 20ft of you with a weapon such as a knife they can get to you before you can draw your gun. This is something I have learned all too well. I got into the house where this 13 year old girl was… about the moment … Continue reading Where Fire and Water Destroy
God’s Family
"And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, … Continue reading God’s Family
Baptism: A Normative Redemptive Act
Baptism is a normative redemptive act I believe a conversation about baptism begins with humility. As we wrestle with the function and importance of baptism we should regard ourselves as finite interpretive beings led by the communal work of the Spirit. I cannot know perfectly the mind of God but I can faithfully and humbly … Continue reading Baptism: A Normative Redemptive Act
Thankfulness
When Giving Thanks Includes More Than what Makes You Happy I was asked by our local interfaith clergy group to say a few words on the topic of thankfulness. I was hesitant at first but decided to accept the invitation. Since then, I have been mulling over what to say. It occurred to me that … Continue reading Thankfulness
Herod and Herodias
The story of John the Baptist's imprisonment and death is an interesting foreshadowing of what was going to happen to Jesus. John prepared the way for Jesus but he also prefigures his life. John's imprisonment, binding, and death also occur to Jesus. Still, the question of why John the Baptist was imprisoned is an interesting … Continue reading Herod and Herodias
Aliens and Strangers
Maybe it's just me, but I see a lot people in this world whose lives don’t have the comfort and convenience I am used too. If it gets chilly in my office I need only walk a few feet to turn the heat up. More importantly, no one is going to arrest me for sharing … Continue reading Aliens and Strangers
The Significance of Mimesis to the Theme of Jesus’ Identity
This paper assumes the use of mimesis in building the structure of Mark’s gospel. Mimesis is the imitation of another’s work; a common practice in the ancient literary world. Mark imitates the structure of the Elijah-Elisha narrative (1 Kgs 17:1 – 2 Kgs 13:21).[1] I propose that this imitation has significant consequences to the gospel’s … Continue reading The Significance of Mimesis to the Theme of Jesus’ Identity
