As we mentioned earlier, the humanistic optimism that drives the prominent secular theories of government acts as if human beings control the course of history. This is a responsibility too large for any human being and inevitably stirs up within them an overbearing anxiety, fear and despair. Many have therefore painted themselves into a Darwinian … More Cruciform Justice 9: Living Out of Control
The Cross calls us to a justice that moves us beyond the law of retribution: “An eye for an eye.” As Moltmann observes, “If evil is recompensed with evil, then the one evil is always oriented on the other evil, because only in that way is it justified.” While scoffed at by many, there is … More Cruciform Justice 8: Getting Beyond Retribution
Jurgen Moltmann is the foremost proponent for approaching the world’s suffering through the lenses of the cross. For Moltmann, “Christian theology must look at the question of Christ’s suffering before looking at the suffering of the world. It can only form a critical theology of its contemporary environment only in as far as it has … More Cruciform Justice 7: The Critique of the Cross
BRINGING GOD INTO THE MIX As indispensable as justice and peace are to a world of suffering and injustice, are these the highest goods worth striving for or dedicating our lives to? A biblically minded Christian must answer ‘No.’ For those who find their lives within the redemptive narrative of the creator and redeemer God … More Cruciform Justice 6: Between ‘The Rock’ & A Hard Place
PEACE, PROGRESS & PRAGMATISM The Humanistic Spirit of Optimism. Based upon a linear concept of time, the past, present, and future of world history is thought to be moving forward in a straight line, being bumped along by the principle of cause and effect. This historical trajectory is accompanied by a strong strand of humanistic … More Cruciform Justice 5: Peace, Progress & Pragmatism
BUSINESS AS USUAL IN THE ‘FIGHT’ FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE Before exploring the world-altering event of the cross and a cruciformed concept of justice, we need to spend some time in what will be much more familiar territory for most of us. I speak of the marketplace of ideas where ‘the fight for freedom,’ the … More Cruciform Justice 4: Business As Usual in the ‘Fight’ for Peace
Every scholar-teacher has their favorite topic — those aspects of their field of study they are most passionate about. When a student raises a question related to one of your favorite topics, you get instantly energized, your voice gains added force and you launch into lecture mode. In my Bible Studies and discussions with people … More My Top 3: Theological “Hobbyhorses”
Let me preface the following post by stating how important I feel it is for Christians to be open-minded and unafraid to generously engage and learn from people of differing viewpoints. I am a better person and a stronger, more committed follower and teacher of Biblical Christianity precisely because I allow my convictions to be … More A Plea for a Fuller Gospel Vision
“Whatever happens, as citizens of heaven live in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ so that — whether I come and see you or whether I remain absent — I should hear that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, by contending side by side for the faith of the … More PHILIPPIANS 12: Resident Aliens (1:27-28)
Thomas Nelson Publishers is about to release the New American Patriot’s Bible. Here’s how they’re marketing it: THE ONE BIBLE THAT SHOWS HOW ‘A LIGHT FROM ABOVE’ SHAPED OUR NATION. Never has a version of the Bible targeted the spiritual needs of those who love our country more than The American Patriot’s Bible. This extremely … More Greg Boyd & the Patriot’s Bible
If you would like hear more about the so-called “End of Christian America” check out the following interview by Kevin Swanson of Generations With Vision Broadcast with The Internet Monk Michael Spencer.
If you care about the current and future state of Christianity in America and evangelicalism in particular, there has been a storm of articles and debates popping up all over the place as of late. I commented briefly upon Michael Spencer’s “Coming Evangelical Collapse” posts a couple months back. His bleak predictions were subsequently picked … More The Demise of American Christianity: Good or Bad?
What happens when the gospel of the Jesus-shaped Kingdom of God is intermixed with a political ideology? Answer: Listen to any political talk show pushing a political agenda while buttressing it with religious rhetoric usually involving the phrase “Judeo-Christian” values. Michael Spencer, the Internet Monk, offers a very timely reminder to the millions of American … More “The Limbaughization of Christianity”
In my previous post I suggested today’s youth culture can help remind us what really distinguishes a healthy church from a sick, diseased or dying church: “Are the individuals who make up that church authentically regenerated, committed followers of Christ whose lives bear outward evidence of the inward sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit?” Teens … More SINKING (3): Patching Leaks #1 – Culture Christians
Jeremy Berg 