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Blogging our way toward acceptability...

Have you noticed how much blog ink has been spilled by Christians breaking down or exposing the failures, foolishness or wrong-headed theology of other Christians? It’s everywhere. It is a constant stream in the blogs from each of the traditions, Evangelical, Lutheran, Reformed, Baptist. It’s probably there in the charismatic, Orthodox and Catholic blogspace as well, but I don’t read those. Clearly some of it is for good reason, and sadly I’ve done it myself. But I can’t help feeling that in th… Continue

Added by Charles Williams on November 20, 2009 at 1:14pm — 1 Comment

Teachers

NOMINEE FOR "EMAIL OF THE YEAR"!!!

After being interviewed by the school administration, the prospective teacher said: 'Let me see if I've got this right. You want me to go into that room with all those kids, correct their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse, monitor their dress habits, censor… Continue

Added by plumber on November 19, 2009 at 8:28pm — 3 Comments

Fake Cross Bearing

One of the guys here on Theologica just came up with a very clever explanation of what it means to bear one's cross. Unfortunately, it was done entirely around the phrase from Roman law and then given a spiritual veneer to equate it with submission and obedience to make it sound plausible. It was just a little too slick. It may be a nice message, but it missed the mark. Here's the verse: And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him… Continue

Added by Michael Ballai on November 19, 2009 at 6:30pm — 2 Comments

Is comparing Health Care to Auto Insurance fair?

Unless you live on Mars or something, you've probably heard some politician comparing health insurance to car insurance. It sounds like a good argument, but isn't for several reasons that hit me last night in a rare moment of clarity. Here's a top ten list why that comparison just doesn't work.. 1. Auto insurance is mandated at the State/local level. Nothing in the Constitution grants Congress the right to mandate something like this. A state law that requires me to have insurance… Continue

Added by Apolojedi (Daniel Eaton) on November 19, 2009 at 2:30pm — 4 Comments

Longings

Amazed, I am, at the bigger picture; Heart enlivened to feel the flicker. Our journey’s superior to words on paper; Deadening the drama never made us greater. If only you know by parchment and ink, Tis no satisfaction for longings so deep. Only drinking from the cup of life’s great treasure, Can we truly taste delight and unearth truest pleasure. Continue

Added by ScottL on November 19, 2009 at 5:16am — 1 Comment

Cross Bearing

Cross Bearing Then Jesus called the crowd, along with his disciples, and said to them, "If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. (Mark 8:34) What does it mean for the Christian to “bear his cross”? I have heard people “modernize” the thought by saying “take up your electric chair” but never felt that compelled by it. Likewise, there are those who wear nooses as jewelry (because jewelry crosses are too commonplace I guess). Some peopl… Continue

Added by xulon on November 18, 2009 at 8:30pm — 2 Comments

My Top 9 Get-Up-And-Applaud Movie Scenes

There are times in a movie theater, or on a dvd, that I'll actually applaud; be it with the characters on screen, with the people next to me, or just for my own one man audience. Scenes that are so good that not only are they eternally etched in my mind—I will (well, except for one) still stick around just to see that scene whenever it's on. Here are my Top 10 bloody awesome and crazy memorable actiony movie scenes in no particular order. Saving Private Ryan Beach of Normandy: How craz… Continue

Added by Rey Reynoso on November 18, 2009 at 8:53am — 19 Comments

God's Graces

God’s Graciousness The Scriptures are abundantly clear that God is a gracious God (Genesis 21:1; Exodus 22:27; 34:6; 1 Sam. 2:21; 2 Kings 13:23; Romans 5:8). God’s Bestowal of Grace Common Grace God, in His graciousness, offers His grace to the entire world (John 3:16-18; Titus 2:11). However, this grace (the offer not the Offered) that He gives is not a constant, that is, for us of mankind in general. That is, it will be withheld at the point of death to those who rejec… Continue

Added by Tim Felten on November 17, 2009 at 3:41pm — No Comments

A Theology of Beer

In the past, I have briefly written my theology of coffee. I truly do love coffee. I don't feel addicted to it, but just really enjoy it, especially a couple of warm cups early in the morning in my office with my Bible open. And Europe has some good coffee. But I have also wanted to write a theology of beer as well. I must admit, and I am not ashamed to say so, I really enjoy beer. Yes, it is a special activity… Continue

Added by ScottL on November 17, 2009 at 1:00pm — 11 Comments

Where is a mother to go for answers?

“What is truth?” –Pontius Pilate (~33BC) Ideas have consequences. It only takes a brief scan of the front page of your local paper or a 60 second sound bite on CNN to confirm this reality. What determines whether our beliefs have ultimately positive or negative consequences? Could it be whether or not our beliefs correspond with reality? As my children grew older, their insatiable desire for answers grew with their stature. I recalled at 8 years old my own persistent questions drove my mother… Continue

Added by Nancy on November 16, 2009 at 1:15pm — 27 Comments

Prayer Monday--Forgiveness

Barring my faulty memory, and if I'm not lazy, I want to post prayers on Monday from all over Church History and then throughout the modern day, and then my own. Here, I skipped through all of that and went for one of my own.

Father God, we are a people who understand your promises, who rely on your witness in time, and who live on this side of the incarnation of your Son. We are a people who eagerly await His return while trying to fulfill the mission that has been conveyed to al

… Continue

Added by Rey Reynoso on November 16, 2009 at 9:19am — No Comments

About Facebook

I’ve been using Facebook for over a year now, and I like it better than any of the other social networks out there, including Twitter (micro-blog) and the Ning sites. I especially like it over MySpace. What I don’t like about it, however, is that the site seems to be ultra sensitive. I’ve had friends deactivated from it for that reason. See Mike Morrell’s recent post about this. It’s quite informative. (By the way, if you don’t know who Mike is, he’s a marketing genius. You’ll find his endorsem… Continue

Added by Frank Viola on November 16, 2009 at 7:38am — No Comments

I am nobody… I just look good in a suit.

I have been alone with my thoughts more than I care to be. This reminds me of a scene in The Mirror Has Two Faces where Lauren Bacall (playing Barbara Streisand’s mother) after a sleepless night comments to her middle aged daughter, “It’s awful to leave a woman my age alone with her thoughts.” The inference to age aside, I am realizing that when left alone I seem to default to fault-finding introspection. I have more time on my hands recently since I am between Seminary courses right now. I lov… Continue

Added by Nancy on November 14, 2009 at 12:47pm — No Comments

Ideal World or The Kingdom of God?

Ideal World or The Kingdom of God? Several years ago, I taught a class on Christian Ethics at the local Moody Extension School. Through my studies, I became more convinced of my suspicion that the Church is mistaken when they make evangelism or even some "tend the culture" mandate they think they have into a matter of clashing moralities. I frequently say that Christianity is not a morality. I am reading To Will & To Do by Jacques Ellul and he is making similar… Continue

Added by xulon on November 13, 2009 at 4:00pm — 11 Comments

Philosophy Fridays: Is God Timeless?

Every now and then, on a Friday, I'll step into the deep waters of Philosophy, ramble on some idea and maybe even interact with something I might be reading. Most of the time, a real philosopher could probably read my drivel and speak into it offering a corrective—but for now I'll speak from ignorance. After all, it is Friday; what better way to have fun than with philosophy. In this post I'll answer the question "Is God Timeless?" in under 700 words. Heh.

Is God Timeless? A whole

… Continue

Added by Rey Reynoso on November 13, 2009 at 7:30am — 5 Comments

The Greater Picture of Worship

When we speak of worship, what initially comes to mind for many is the corporate time of worship in our Sunday morning gatherings, which usually includes music. Or, within some more traditional contexts, worship would involve the whole 'service', including the sharing of communion, the preaching of the Word, and a handful of other activities that could take place. But I think many a people are starting to realise that such is a bit of a reductionist understanding to specifically pinpoint… Continue

Added by ScottL on November 12, 2009 at 2:30pm — 4 Comments

Words and Romans

Way back I noted that words are important but especially within their context; they are intended to communicate immediate meaning to the reader. Literary methods are also used as vehicles for this meaning: markers that unite ideas (structure) are accentuated with repetition (patterns) and are all used for carrying through the overall idea (the flow of thought).

We realized that these things are discovered

… Continue

Added by Rey Reynoso on November 12, 2009 at 7:30am — 4 Comments

Baby Got Book

In keeping with my desire to post videos that make me chuckle, here is one below. Well, I hope it makes you laugh, but it could just make you shake your head at such silliness. You might remember the dance-rap song, Baby Got Back. This one is called Baby Got Book.

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Added by ScottL on November 11, 2009 at 12:51pm — 6 Comments

Faith, Baptism or Both?

How Are Calvary’s Benefits Applied: by faith, baptism or both? Please know this, before anyone reads this post, it is not my intention to offend, to argue with or condemn, but if the Holy Spirit through His Word pierces your heart, let it be so… The purpose and personal encouragement Although it wasn’t my intention when I began the discussion “Ecumenism: does it really matter what I believe?” to have a debate over how one is saved, it’s my joy to let you, the reader, know the truth (not by my… Continue

Added by Tim Felten on November 11, 2009 at 11:00am — 2 Comments

A Word From God

Last night I received a Word from God: He told me to test the spirits because they might be flashy, but they can still be wrong. No, I didn't hear an audible voice telling me this. No, I didn't see this in a dream. I sat in a service while the preacher gave me a Word From God. Let me explain.

The invitation was a surprise—just like all the other times I went to these sort of things. The lot was filled, just like always. The small, family filled chapel was packed—still unsurprising

… Continue

Added by Rey Reynoso on November 10, 2009 at 9:23am — 20 Comments