Monthly Archives: April 2005

Is the Bible a Rule Book?

Posted on April 29, 2005 by John Armstrong

Yesterday I wrote an extensive word about the public lecture of Dr. Robert A. J. Gagnon at Elmhurst College on Wednesday night, April 27. There is so much that Gagnon said that is worth repeating but for now I will … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Theology | Leave a comment

Challenging Same-Sex Marriage

Posted on April 28, 2005 by John Armstrong

"Challenging Same-Sex Marriage" was the title of Dr. Robert. A. J. Gagnon’s address last evening at Elmhurst College (IL). I was priviledged to be present among the 250 or so students and area attendees for a most amazing evening. For … Continue reading →

Posted in Sexuality | 1 Comment

How Western Culture Undermines Faith

Posted on April 27, 2005 by John Armstrong

I have been reading a good bit by Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI. He has authored over forty volumes, as well as scores of essays. No modern pope has written so much theology. One theme rises to the surface … Continue reading →

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The Danger of Being Precise

Posted on April 26, 2005 by John Armstrong

A long time friend, who followed me as the pastor of my second church, wrote me today. He noted that he was tired of wasting time being "theologically precise." Not that theology is bad, he noted, or even inherently wrong. … Continue reading →

Posted in The Church | 5 Comments

More on Faith and Filibusters

Posted on April 25, 2005 by John Armstrong

It is regularly claimed, by some conservative Christians, that the "judiciary is out of control." I confess I would hate to be a judge in the present environment. Your are damned if you do and damned if you don’t. If … Continue reading →

Posted in Spirituality | 1 Comment

Pardon Me, I Don’t Get It

Posted on April 24, 2005 by John Armstrong

Today was dubbed "Justice Sunday" by a number of conservative Christian organizations. A nationwide television simulcast was hosted by folks at Focus on the Family and the Family Research Council, among others. The point of justice being promoted here is … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 2 Comments

The End of Responsibility

Posted on April 21, 2005 by John Armstrong

I often read John Leo, a columnist for U. S. News & World Report. Leo is both balanced and reasonable. I believe his "On Society" column in the April 25 issue is extremely important. It is titled "The End of … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 1 Comment

Just the Facts

Posted on April 20, 2005 by John Armstrong

A once popular program, in the days of black and white television, was a detective show called Dragnet. The famous sargeant on the program had a simple line that he used all the time to interrogate people: "Just the facts, … Continue reading →

Posted in Spirituality | 1 Comment

Recommending a Systematic Theology Book

Posted on April 19, 2005 by John Armstrong

This morning I wrote an email to a very good friend who had written to ask me to recommend a systemtic theology book for a resource section that will appear in a booklet he recently wrote that will be published … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Theology | 4 Comments

The Loss of a Champion for Church Renewal

Posted on April 18, 2005 by John Armstrong

Dr. James Heidinger, the president of Good News, a renewal ministry in the United Methodist Church, wrote the following note this evening to members of the Association for Church Renewal (ACR), a group related to mainline Protestant renewal ministries: Our … Continue reading →

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