I think it is quite unlikely that many readers of this post know the life and thought of René Girard. I discovered him late in life, only about fifteen years ago. I found his work on human desire both insightful and brilliant. Agree or disagree with Girard’s thought he helped us rethink human desire, anthropology and sin. If you reject … Read More
John Hagee: Reflections on My Facebook Post (Part 3 of 4)
In the case of John Hagee very few people within the larger culture are paying attention to his prophecies. Last week I scanned a copy of John Hagee’s book, Can America Survive?: 10 Prophetic Signs That We Are The Terminal Generation (Howard Books, 2010), in a Half-Price Bookstore near home. The copy I looked at was called an “Updated Edition.” … Read More
John Hagee: Reflections on My Facebook Post (Part 2 of 4)
So what did Jesus teach about his coming again and the End? We read the words of Jesus in Mark 13:32-37. These are often read as words about this age and his coming again: “But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do … Read More
John Hagee: Reflections on My Facebook Post (Part 1 of 4)
Several days ago I posted a comment about John Hagee on my Facebook wall. Hagee is a New York Times best-selling author and pastor from San Antonio, Texas. In this comment I posted a link to a site that was critical of Hagee about his growing predictions of “the end of the world.” John Hagee is the founder and senior … Read More
The Bible and Science Debate: How Shall We Interpret Genesis?
If I were to pick three highly skilled biblical scholars/exegetes, who also profoundly understand science (two of them – McGrath and Polkinghorne – have a PhD degree in hard science), to speak clearly about the way to properly read the Book of Genesis then I would pick these three theologians. I have met two of them and have read all … Read More
The Shameful Story of Judah
On Saturday, July 12, I preached the evening vespers service at Lutheran Church of the Master in Carol Stream. My given text was Genesis 38. I think I would never have picked such a story had it not been assigned to me in advance. You can hear my twenty-minute sermon below. https://soundcloud.com/act3network/the-shameful-story-of-judah As I grow older I enjoy narrative preaching more … Read More
Westminster Theological Seminary – Can Institutions Respond to Controversy in Radical Love? (Part Five)
A common view, at least within many evangelical circles, is that a “culture” cannot be changed. Before I proceed to argue against this view let me define my terms just a bit. I am using the word “culture” as it has evolved in English usage through the social sciences. It came to refer, in the 20th century, to a central concept … Read More
Westminster Theological Seminary – Can Institutions Respond to Controversy in Radical Love (Part Three)
There have been a number of previous controversies at Westminster Theological Seminary (PA). In the middle of the last decade there was one that many believe is linked (in some way) to the “retirement” issue of Doug Green. The Enns debate surrounded the teaching of Dr. Peter Enns, an Old Testament professor who left the faculty six years ago. It is widely believed … Read More
Westminster Theological Seminary: Can Institutions Respond to Controversy in Radical Love? (Part Two)
Yesterday I provided a general historical overview of Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. I wrote this overview because of my long interest in the school, its faculty and its students, mostly those who are graduates and who remain friends. I am not a Westminster graduate. I have never been a Presbyterian. I am an ordained minister in the Reformed Church … Read More
Westminster Theological Seminary: Can Institutions Respond to Controversy in Radical Love? (Part One)
In early June I commented on my Facebook wall about the “retirement” of Old Testament professor Dr. Douglas Green at Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia (WTS). You can read the official Westminster announcement online. The seminary says that Dr. Green is leaving for early “retirement.” But Doug Green is not of retirement age in the normative use of this word, meaning he … Read More