Greatness from David French this weekend. On the liberating power of a political declaration of independence. I first began to notice the discontent even before Trump. The rise of negative partisanship and the corresponding intolerance for dissent within political parties (does anyone remember the endless “RINO” hunts of the Obama era?) amplified a sense of … Continue reading French on Political Homelessness

For context, read yesterday's post. As I said last night, there doesn't seem to be much grace here. That's observation #1. Observation #2 is that current identity thinking (which I usually label "intersectionality") is problematic for Christians, because our identity has to be centered in Jesus Christ. Now: THAT is a problematic statement, because my … Continue reading More on the Wallis Resignation

I mentioned Jim Wallis earlier this week. I learned tonight that he has stepped down as editor of Sojourners. I believe he has edited the magazine since its founding in 1971. He will continue as president of the organization. The story of his resignation is interesting, because it illustrates the tensions in progressive Christian organizations. … Continue reading Jim Wallis & Sojourners

How is my spirit? My spirit is BUSY. In a few hours, Beth and I are flying to Texas to see our granddaughter and daughter and son-in-law, and I will be doing fundraising work for BIZG. Lots to do; I need to finish this post and get to work on packing, etc. Have you ever … Continue reading Desiring Rightly

I've listened several times to Jim Wallis's podcast, and he always begins his interviews with that question: "How is your spirit?" It's a great question, isn't it? How is your heart? How do you feel at your core right now about the things that are happening around you and the things that are happening IN … Continue reading “How Is Your Spirit?”

Is American evangelicalism the standard by which all world Christianities are to be judged? Good grief, I hope not.  We're a mess. A couple of years ago, someone on a podcast--I think it was Peter Enns--said that American Evangelicalism had failed because it attempts to unify believers around a particular set of doctrines, expressed in … Continue reading American Evangelicals and World Christianity

NT Wright now argues that Romans 8.28 should be read, "God works together with those who love him for good in all things." (Cf the RSV, "in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.") This verse then completes the idea of 8.26-27, that the Spirit … Continue reading Wright on Rom 8.28

More thoughts on our current political crisis: If you have ever painted with a brush, regardless of what you were painting--a wall, a house, a watercolor, a model car--you know that there are different widths of paintbrushes, and that choosing the right width for the job is really important.The paintbrush that is appropriate for painting … Continue reading Two Paintbrushes

I don't normally get misty-eyed about the way the church in America has changed since my childhood.  Being a fifty-something white guy, I know that I am especially vulnerable to "Good Old Days Syndrome", and I work really hard to avoid making those kinds of judgments.  Further, we are extremely prone to confuse our faith … Continue reading How Evangelicalism Has Changed (Olson)