Loose Thoughts on the Texas School Book Controversy
I have followed the battle over Texan history textbooks with less passion than the topic probably deserves, partly because of some recent hitches in my own education and partly because…
Getting it and Not Getting it: A Reflection on the Lectionary Readings for 28 March 2010
Revised Common Lectionary Page for 28 March 2010 (Liturgy of Palms, Year C) Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 • Luke 19:28-40 I really like that, in this relatively brief story in today’s Gospel…
The Earth Is Hard, but the Treasure Fine
For a variety of reasons—beyond and in my control—I don’t have the time to devote the space to this topic that it deserves, but I should say something, anyway. You…
Thy Kingdom Connected: A Review for The Ooze Viral Blogs
Thy Kingdom Connected: What the Church Can Learn from Facebook, the Internet, and Other Networks By Dwight J. Friesen 192 pp. Baker. $14.99. I think I have a new favorite…
The Christian Humanist Podcast, Episode 16: Christian Colleges
Our theme music for today is “Hide the Beer, the Pastor’s Here” by the Swirling Eddies (Outdoor Elvis, 1989), undoubtedly the best song ever written about Christian colleges. Stay tuned…
The Raised Stone Speaks
March 17 is the Feast of Saint Patrick. (Seriously. What did you think I was going to write about? Saints are, like, my one schtick, especially those affiliated with Britain.)…
Alienation, Existentialism, and the Theological Hole
Alienation is such a major fixation for existentialists that it can be easy to forget that they didn’t invent it. (Students, like me, of Christian existentialism are more likely to…
Jackals and Owls and the Poor: A Reflection on the Lectionary Readings for 21 March 2010
Revised Common Lectionary Page for 21 March 2010 (Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year C) Isaiah 43:16-21 • Psalm 126 • Philippians 3:4b-14 • John 12:1-8 What do jackals and owls and dragons and…
The Hoosier on Daylight Saving
When the government wants to spend a few bucks so that poor people can see a doctor, they call it Socialism. When the government wants to put a check on…
Complexity and Directness: A Response to Brian McLaren
Reviews and Interviews: A New Kind of Christianity Round-up I have to admit that I’m more star-struck than someone my age should be at the fact that a writer of…
The Christian Humanist Podcast, Episode 15: Youth Ministry
This week’s music is, of course, “Teenage Wasteland” by The Who, suggested by David Grubbs. General Introduction – Response to Jeff Wright – What’s on the blog? The Strain and…
Better to be Beaten
College teachers are often wont to crab about their students, and a frequent theme of such crabbing is the apparent lack of interest amongst students towards the business of learning…
Bible, Tradition, Theology part 1: The Nature of God
Once again I have Phil Rutledge to thank for an occasion to think not only about theology’s content but the ways in which I do theology. Responding to our recent…
Toward a Christian Conception of Satire
I have more questions than answers in today’s post, I’m afraid, so I’m counting on your comments to help move me through this topic. It came about through a simultaneous…
Creation Doesn't Stop at Harvest: A Reflection on the Lectionary Readings for 14 March 2010
Revised Common Lectionary Page for 14 March 2010 (Year C, Fourth Sunday of Lent) Joshua 5:9-12 • Psalm 32 • 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 • Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 I love when the Lectionary readings…