Theological

When I was a kid, maybe 8 years old, I was watching a movie at my grandma's apartment. I recall a character from the movie--an elderly man, not a regular gambler by any means--at a casino playing roulette. He started with a small sum and within a half an hour his luck had grown his cache to a sum of tens of thousands of dollars. A crowd had gathered in the meanwhile, cheering him on. He took h

Introducing Theological Interpretation of Scripture: Recovering a Christian Practice.Daniel Treier has released his much anticipated (at least by me) book on the movement which seeks to return to a "theological interpretation of Scripture." One of the vexing aspects of engaging in this conversation is the fact that many people from many different backgrounds and disciplines are claiming "theologic

I’ve been staggered by the number of people who have offered theological commentary contrary to the healing power of the Lord. It always amazes me that people are so eager to believe in the... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

This past Sunday, Dr. Mark Saucy (Professor of Theology at Talbot School of Theology in La Mirada, Califorinia) presented a very insightful and practical lesson to our Missions Class at Grace Baptist Church in which he addressed theological priorities for western missionaries.1. The Priority of the GospelHe asked the question: "What is the core of the message that defines Christianity?"It is One E

Is the Devil Gaining a Foothold in Rome? By George Thomas CBN News Senior Reporter April 21, 2008 ROME, Italy - In this predominantly Catholic nation, the devil is gaining a foothold. "There is a greater openness towards the devil," says Father Gabriele Amorth, the Vatican's Chief Exorcist. In fact, Rome has been called the most satanized city in Italy. "Satanism and the occult are in fashion," declares Father Pedro Barrajón, a Catholic priest who serves in Rome. Devil's Diabolical Influence  There are an estimated 800 satanic cults operating in the country, with more than 600,000 followers. And according to Silvano Lilli, an evangelical pastor in Rome, their numbers are growing. "The devil's diabolical influence is growing in so many areas of our society," says Lilli."He n

Says Jesus Was Fathered By ARoman Soldier That Raped MaryPaul Verhoeven Should Stick To Fictional MoviesBasic Instinct" director Paul Verhoeven has written a book that contradicts biblical teaching by suggesting that Jesus might have been fathered by a Roman soldier who raped Mary. In addition to suggesting that the Virgin Mary may have been a rape victim, the book will also say that Christ was not betrayed by Judas Iscariot, one of the 12 original apostles of Jesus, as the New Testament states.An Amsterdam publishing house said Wednesday it will publish the Dutch filmmaker's biography of Jesus, "Jesus of Nazareth: A Realistic Portrait," in September.Verhoeven is best known as the director of blockbuster films including "Basic Instinct" and "RoboCop," but he is also a member of "Jesus Semi

This is a Response to a good friend’s exploration of when it is someone becomes a Christian and acheives salvation: An inquiry in response to yesterday’s Morning Light’. I hope you can find some time to read it all. Biblically Speaking: An Inquiry: Upon repentance from sin, is this something separate of Christ? Or does repentance come upon [...]

As I've alluded to many times before, parenting is an excellent opportunity for exploring one's theology. The reason being, I believe, that finally as parents we can see a glimpse of God's perspective, new insight into ourselves and what it might be like to guide us lovingly, patiently, and how stubborn and silly and clueless we really are...and how precious, how loved.Last week Asher and I went with friends to a nearby Splash Park. The three boys had fun getting splashed at the tiny fountains, and watching the brave, big kids run through the giant, scary fountains. Asher, Mr. Independent, was terrified by the strong and sudden gusts of water, but even more terrified at the thought of missing even a single exciting element. He would take off from the baby fountains, crawling full speed into the center of the park where the big kids and powerful splashes could be found. He never, ever looked back to see if I was coming, never showed the slightest interest in me coming along . At

You scored as Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan, You are an evangelical in the Wesleyan tradition. You believe that God’s grace enables you to choose to believe in him, even though you yourself are totally depraved. The gift of the Holy Spirit gives you assurance of your salvation, and he also enables you to live the life of [...]

The outstanding New Advent website has one of the most exciting resources on the internet, the Catholic Encylopedia from 1903. I dig in there from time to time; I like the old-style writing and the mild shock I sometimes get from reading something free of modern PC. I invite you to delve in with me. Let's start with the most important of the three Divine virtues as per St. Paul. Briefly, practical application of this virtue for me means wishing the best for people- friends, enemies, and those in between regardless of whether their good fortune affects me positively or not.* from All posters Love: Love (Theological Virtue) The third and greatest of the Divine virtues enumerated by St. Paul (1 Corinthians 13:13), usually called charity, defined: a divinely infused habit, inclining the human will to cherish God for his own sake above all things, and man for the sake of God. This definition sets off the main characteristics of charity: => Read more!

 The Roman Catholic Church is one which started the fight more publicly when It announced that it was only righteous church of Jesus on the earth that it owns the keys of redemption ,well the Egyptian Orthodox Church had to fire back  Pope Shounda in his lesson last Wednesday denied that Saint Peter was the Jesus Original disciples and the spokesperson of the apostles  which made the Catholics in Egypt very angry from Pope Shounda Pope Shounda is building his assumption on the fact that there is nothing in the Bible says that Saint Peter went to Rome , but on the other hand the Catholics say also the other 11 apostles were not mentioned either in the Bible so why the Pope of Alexandria puts ST.Peter in his mind ?? And that on the same way there was no proof that St.Mark did not come to Egypt either !! of course the Catholics did not leave the opportunity without underestimating St.Mark As you see this is just another theological war between the Coptic Orthodox churc

Welcome to Conversations with Bob! Join in!Hi Bob,Thanks for your last response. I am not sure if there is a great deal with which I disagree. I think you put things quite well. I think you have articulated election meaningfully. Being immersed in Barth at seminary, I found him both insightful and frustrating but always intelligent and hopeful. Yes, I did like his understanding of election that was based on the freedom of God.Anyway, as far as other religions are concerned, yes, I agree that they make quite different claims and it disrespects all to deny that. That said, I do think we have to try and understand them from the inside so to speak. What are they saying, as well as Christianity, from inside its system? I think in the end, we find a great deal more in common between the faiths than different at the deepest levels.I am willing to discuss the Bible with you, its authority, etc. I will let you lead!I would like to take a moment to discuss the topic you brought up

You scored as Reformed Evangelical, You are a Reformed Evangelical. You take the Bible very seriously because it is God's Word. You most likely hold to TULIP and are sceptical about the possibilities of universal atonement or resistible grace. The most important thing the Church can do is make sure people hear how they can go to heaven when they die.Reformed Evangelical100%Fundamentalist79%Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan71%Neo orthodox57%Emergent/Postmodern32%Classical Liberal29%Charismatic/Pentecostal14%Roman Catholic7%Modern Liberal0%What's your theological worldview?created with QuizFarm.com

The Cincinnati Post reports:Asbury Theological Seminary faces a budget shortfall and an investigation by its accrediting agency, adding to the school's problems since the departure of its president last year.The interdenominational seminary, which has more than 1,600 students, is projecting a deficit of more than $2 million for this fiscal year. Jim Smith, chairman of Asbury's board of trustees, said a surplus from last year could help reduce the shortfall to about $500,000 by year's end.Asbury also is under scrutiny by its accrediting organization, the Association of Theological Schools, because of a student complaint filed last December over the departure of former Asbury President Jeffrey Greenway. He resigned in October after being placed on paid leave by the school's board of trustees on Sept. 1."This is kind of a correction period," Smith said. "It is not a crisis. The seminary is not about to close or go through major problems."Asbury is particularly important in Methodist c

A Christian theological school has been attacked by a group of Muslim militants in east Jakarta, according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW). Arastamar Evangelical School of Theology (SETIA), which was established in 1987, is one of the biggest Evangelical theology schools in Indonesia. The school was attacked on 8 March 2007, and the following Saturday, over 200 militants besieged the school for three hours, shouting threats and demanding the closure of the school.In the attack some of the outlying ventilation buildings of the new dormitory were burned down and the attackers threatened to bring a crowd of 1000 militants to close the school down on Saturday 11 March, CSW has said. The Islamist militant groups Front Pembela Islam (FPI) and FBR are believed to be behind the attack.FPI claimed that the school is illegal despite the fact that SETIA has official permits both for the existing buildings and the new dormitory.

(My friend Don...as Burt...!!! Photo taken by Joshua Cleveland) There are days that I miss Princeton more than others. It's been good to do a year away, and I'm really looking forward to going back next year. Today is one of those days when I really remember why Princeton Theological Seminary is so special. Today at Princeton was Burt Reynolds Day. Guys on campus (including some faculty & staff) spend the fall growing out their facial hair and on one day in December, shave off everything except (normally) a mustache (although I see some really creative stuff in the photos). Girls are normally not a huge fan of the lead-up to the process - especially if you're dating one of those guys who really only has some nice pre-pubescent peach fuzz (no offense...that's me too!). Anyway, enjoy my buddy Josh's photos here.

The Columbia Theological Seminary bookstore, an independent bookstore, has put together an "independent, unsanctioned, and somewhat underground calendar" for 2007. It's amazing. Bill Brown, Chuck Campbell, Walter Brueggemann, Rodger Nishioka...and a shirtless Dr. George Stroup (which you can almost see in the "M" above. If you are interested in ordering one, you can contact the Bookstore at 404.687.4550 or email them at bookstore@ctsnet.edu. Below you can see a few of the months for your viewing pleasure.

Pete Rollins is continuing on his US Speaking Tour and coming to Princeton Theological Seminary this week. There will be a number of times to be able to listen to him speak and dialogue with him. Wed, Nov 29th: Pub Conversation at Charlie Brown's on Rt 1 @ 8pm with the Princeton Emergent Cohort Thurs, Nov 30th: Informal Lunch Conversation in PTS Dining Hall Thurs, Nov 30th: Lecture and Q&A Session in Stuart Hall from 7-9pm Fri, Dec 1st: Pete will be speaking to Dr. Stacy Johnson's The Reign of God class at 1.30pm As I've mentioned before, Pete's book "How (Not) to Speak of God" is brilliant and probably the most important book for the emerging church put out yet. His combination of theological and philosophical discourse, combined with practical examples of how such a deeply mystical theology gets worked out....it's just great. If you are in the Princeton area - I strongly urge you to take advantage of getting the chance to hear Pete speak. From just hearing him at AAR/S

I'm sure you've already heard about it, but the Emergent Theological Philosophical Conversation has just been announced today on the Emergent Village blog here. April 14-16 at Eastern University in Philadelphia...with John Caputo. Fabulous topic: "What Would Jesus Deconstruct? A Conversation about Justice." Sarah and I have a fair amount of traveling we're hoping to do in the spring, but I'm hoping it might work out that I could attend. However, I'll definitely be at Mainline Emergent/s at Columbia Theological Seminary, January 30 - February 1, and hope to see many of you there. Does anyone know for sure if they are going? I will be co-leading a seminar with Karen Sloan entitled "Practice and Presbyterianism: Emergence as Re-formation." Anyway, some great events coming up. Thanks Emergent.

I would like, from time to time, to share some of the feedback we get from visitors to www.thethoughtfulchristian.com, especially when the comments raise a number of interesting points.Robert Shaw, Presbyterian minister from Ohio, wrote me this week with a number of poignant questions about the free study "Should the Ten Commandments Be Displayed in Public?"” He writes, "These two sample sessions lack theological depth and deal more with civics than theology. Many Presbyterians hold advanced degrees, yet our adult school sessions could be taught to high school students."The study on the Ten Commandments looks at the debate as a contemporary issue rather than a theological debate. While these areas can and should cross over, I think the Ten Commandments study achieves its goal of pushing Christians to reflect on the issues raised by placing all or part of the Decalogue in public places. While it is not exhaustive in its treatment of the subject, I still think it is a strong study. For

I.   The biblical people of Israel, though related, should not be reduced to nor equated with the modern nation-state of Israel.II. Though there are many horrrific genocides in human history (Stalin, The Khmer Rouge, Julius Caesar's campaign against the Gauls), the Holocaust can be taken to be theologically more significant precisely for its attempt to exterminate God's covenant people wherever they be found.It should be clear why the first point is important, if not, read David D. Kirkpatrick's disheartening story, For Evangelicals, Supporting Israel Is "God's Foreign Policy', from NYTimes.com: "Many conservative Christians say they believe that the president's support for Israel fulfills a biblical injunction to protect the Jewish state, which some of them think will play a pivotal role in the second coming. Many on the left, in turn, fear that such theology may influence decisions the administration makes toward Israel and the Middle East."[America's Young Theolo