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Ecological Trauma with Dr. Tim Middleton (Podcast)
Read more: Ecological Trauma with Dr. Tim Middleton (Podcast)Dr. Tim Middleton is Tutorial Fellow in Theology & Director of the Centre for Baptist Studies at Regent’s Park College at Oxford University. In this episode, we talk about ecological trauma—the trauma experienced by the earth and as a result of climate change and other ecological conditions. Dr. Middleton explains how his work intersects with…
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The Image of God
Read more: The Image of GodWhat is the image of God? As I thought and read about this I came through very interesting concepts that are worth sharing. Let’s start with Paul’s statement of the image of God. Colossians 1:15 states that Jesus is the image of God. Now, Jesus was not simply human, he was fully God and fully…
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Domesticated Jesus and Highlighter Christianity
Read more: Domesticated Jesus and Highlighter ChristianityLesslie Newbigin tells an illuminating story about his time as a foreign missionary to India. In the Hindu Ramakrishna monastery, there is a gallery of portraits of the great religious teachers of humankind. Among them is a portrait of Jesus at which worship is offered every Christmas Day. Lest anyone mistake this worship for a…
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Breaking Down Assumptions (based off the shocking news that Hello Kitty is not a cat)
Read more: Breaking Down Assumptions (based off the shocking news that Hello Kitty is not a cat)A few weeks ago, the news went viral that Hello Kitty is not a cat, but is actually a 3rd grade girl from London. Growing up as a Sanrio fan as a little girl, I was quite shocked to hear the news about Hello Kitty. It didn’t make any sense to me, since she has…
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Reflections on Unconditional Love
Read more: Reflections on Unconditional LoveThe concept of unconditional love is among the best-known and most-beloved of all Christian doctrines, and for good reason. God’s love for his children is unmerited; there is nothing that we can do to earn God’s love so there is nothing that we can do to be separated from it either. Nevertheless the more I…
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5 Ways to Love Gays
Read more: 5 Ways to Love GaysYou can’t love God and hate homosexuals. On the contrary, loving God means loving gays. Really, truly, honestly loving them. (Are you listening, Westboro Baptist cult?) That doesn’t mean voting “no” on Proposition 8 or waving rainbow flags in the nearest pride parade. No, biblical love for gays is far more extraordinary. It’s a Christ-centered…
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Women Be Silent in Church! …Uhm, Did Paul Actually Write 1 Corinthians 14:33b-36?
Read more: Women Be Silent in Church! …Uhm, Did Paul Actually Write 1 Corinthians 14:33b-36?What I want to discuss here is controversial. Additionally, what I want to address is not novel. Here is the thought I’d like to ‘think aloud,’ so to speak, in the provocative world of the blogosphere: Is 1 Corinthians 14:33b-36 original? I should say up front that my focus is not on Complementarianism vs. Egalitarianism per…
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The Earth is Ours (Part 1)
Read more: The Earth is Ours (Part 1)I have a new addiction. Every night before bed, when no one is watching, I sneak into a dark room, turn on the television, and pop in another episode of Human Planet. Six episodes into an eight-part series, I’ve soaked up every second. This is no ordinary nature show. Whereas its predecessor, BBC’s Planet Earth,…
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Whitney: The Good, The Bad & The Gospel
Read more: Whitney: The Good, The Bad & The GospelOn Saturday, celebrated singer Whitney Houston was found dead in her Beverly Hilton hotel room—her body submerged in bathwater, bottles of prescription pills close by. The story is still developing, and like many celebrity death tales, will probably remain steeped in scandal and speculation. In the meantime, there are some theological takeaways. Death has a…
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Be Who You’re Becoming
Read more: Be Who You’re BecomingIt’s a new year, which means millions of people like you and me are taking time out for some self-reflection. A long look in the mirror—both literal and metaphorical—to find and fix our flaws. When I look in the mirror, past the fingerprints and flecks of toothpaste, what strikes me are the physical signs of…