I tweeted earlier this week: What is the evangelical landscape in Croatia sometimes like? "In those days, Israel had her own king. Everyone did what was right in their own eyes." What did I mean? Let me unpack that tweet. Imagine a giant football ("soccer") stadium. Tens of thousands of seats. A beautiful grass pitch … Continue reading Imagine
Author: plstepp
“His Mercy Is More”
I just heard this song; not new, but new to me. Love this. LOVE it. What love could remember, no wrongs we have done Omniscient all-knowing, He counts not their sum Thrown into a sea, without bottom or shore Our sins they are many, His mercy is more What patience would wait, as we constantly … Continue reading “His Mercy Is More”
Best of the Blogs from Last Week
Here are a few theology- and ministry-related posts from last week that I found most interesting. Beth Allison Barr: "Christian Patriarchy Isn't Christian" Beth Allison Barr makes several great points (and also cites my doctor-father, Charles Talbert) in an excellent post at the Anxious Bench. She draws contrasts between Paul's treatment of women and their … Continue reading Best of the Blogs from Last Week
Different Ways to Read the Bible
Have you ever thought about the interrelationship between: WHAT the Bible is, WHY we read the Bible, and HOW we read the Bible? Granted: the Bible is the word of God, meaning God communicates himself to us through the Bible in unique ways. But beyond that, what is the Bible? To illustrate: which of the … Continue reading Different Ways to Read the Bible
Prayer for the Lausanne Conference in Croatia
I prayed the following prayer this morning at the meeting of the Lausanne Conference in Croatia. Our Father God, I am thankful for many things this morning. I am thankful for the beautiful day you have given us. I am thankful for life and the many blessings you give. I am thankful for this fellowship … Continue reading Prayer for the Lausanne Conference in Croatia
Andronicus & Junia
(A tip of the hat to the great Marg Mowczko, who reminded me of the holiday today.) Today (17 May), the Orthodox Church celebrates Andronicus and Junia (hereafter A&J). This couple, probably husband and wife, are mentioned in Romans 16.7. There is debate over their role in the earliest church: Paul seems to refer to … Continue reading Andronicus & Junia
Hermeneutics and Me
Still more about how we read the Bible: I have been fascinated with hermeneutics since I read Fee & Stuart's How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth during my MA work at Lubbock Christian University. I LOVED that book. I taught a Sunday School class on it at DeSoto Christian Church. I required it … Continue reading Hermeneutics and Me
The Role of Experience in Theology
More on the topic of how we read the Bible: I have long contended that we don't simply "read the Bible and do what it says"; it's always more complicated than that, and honesty requires us to admit this. There are always other voices, in addition to the words of scripture, that guide us. Richard … Continue reading The Role of Experience in Theology
Corporate Sin, Corporate Repentance, pt 4: “Race”
[I first published the following over two years ago. I am reposting it as part of my current series on corporate repentance.] A former student of mine emailed me a series of questions about race and racial reconciliation for a class she's taking. I thought it worth posting parts of it here. (Is it narcissistic … Continue reading Corporate Sin, Corporate Repentance, pt 4: “Race”
Circleslide 