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

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)

Disconnected thoughts on Christian moral decisionmaking, with something to frustrate everyone: Should Christians be on the side of the protesters or on the side of the statues?  Should Christians say "Black lives matter"? If you're a disciple of Jesus Christ, then the basic question in decision making is "What would Jesus do?"  Right? If you … Continue reading Moral Decisionmaking 101

Yesterday I asked, "How does grace make us disciples?" The question arises from my discussion of Titus 2.12, where Paul says that grace "trains us to reject ungodliness ... and to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly." (my translation) I can think of several ways that grace makes us disciples.  You can probably … Continue reading How Grace Makes Us Disciples

Let’s dissect Titus 2.11-14. For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God … Continue reading Grace & Discipleship