A call to a new Reformation in the teaching and life of Jesus' followers
Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone). It’s a phrase originally made famous by the reformer Martin Luther. I’m not clear on the historical precedent, but today I hear it most often from those who consider themselves part of the Reformed tradition–which now seems largely to mean modern Calvinism–when they recite it as one of the Five Solas. Aside from the irony of having five “onlys” in anything, … Continue reading Sola Scriptura — Really!
The recent debate around the blogosphere as to whether or not Rob Bell is a universalist, has got me to thinking. There seems to be a substantial contingent within conservative Christianity, that is extremely dedicated to the notion of a hell where those who do not “believe” will suffer unending, conscious torment. Many of these people–dear friends of mine, some of them–are not angry, vindictive … Continue reading So, do you trust the Holy Spirit, or not?
I am the way , and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. There are, I suppose, a variety of possible candidates, but today I submit John 14:6 as the single most blatantly misquoted saying from Jesus’ entire ministry. Lifted completely out of context, Jesus’ statement is usually presented as “Exhibit A” for Jesus’ establishment of the exclusive … Continue reading No one comes to the Father but by me…
OK, take a deep breath. Trust me when I say I’m not asking anybody to throw away their Bible and start planning their pilgrimage to Mecca. I am, however, going to attack some truly damaging language that I hear from many of my fellow Christians on the subject of Islam…language that I maintain is neither edifying nor honoring to God, and actually flat-out wrong. There … Continue reading Every Christian ought to be a muslim (but not the way you think)!
A study group I’ve been meeting with has been asked to memorize Hebrews 4:14-16, and it’s dug up an old, nagging irritation for me. The writer of Hebrews states that our High Priest, Jesus, “in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” I’ll come right to the point: at least as that sentence reads in English, I cannot accept it as … Continue reading Tempted as we are?
Those who know me well may have seen this coming…but now that we’ve looked at the Holy Spirit, not as a “being” but as the Wind/Breath of God (see this post if you haven’t already read it), it’s time to take another look at an old friend. I refer, of course, to θεόπνευστος (“theopneustos”) from 2 Tim. 3:16. Those who already know Greek will know, … Continue reading If Spirit = Breath, what of Theopneustos?
In my last post I took issue with common Christian creeds’ trinitarian characterization of the Holy Spirit. This time I’m going to take a look at another element of common Evangelical statements of faith: the claim that the Holy Spirit “indwells every believer.” This teaching makes the claim that the Holy Spirit is bestowed upon everyone who “believes in Christ” (a phrase fraught with its … Continue reading The Holy Spirit – Part 2: When and Where?
I approach this subject with a bit more caution than some of my posts, because I know it’s going to be particularly sensitive to some readers…enough so, in fact, that a couple caveats are necessary at the outset. First and foremost, while in the next couple posts I’m going to challenge a number of commonly-held teachings about the Holy Spirit, I am NOT denying either … Continue reading The Holy Spirit – Breath of God
Just wanted to highlight the work of a local Atlanta man who’s chosen to spend a month homeless to highlight the homelessness situation around here. Elijah Montgomery has temporarily abandoned his comfortable job and digs, in an attempt to raise money for a coffee house he wants to start, at which he will hire homeless kids to work. You can read about his effort on … Continue reading Confronting homelessness in person
Note: I don’t actually know any way to get this letter to Mr. Hitchens, and I have no idea how he’d respond if he read it. But I think some of the following needs to be said…and maybe someone who needs to will read it. Dear Mr. Hitchens, I’m a Christian, and I’d like to apologize to you. I heard the NPR interview with you … Continue reading An Open Letter to Christopher Hitchens