One of the most publicly and socially acceptable sins is flattery. That’s why it is also such a dangerous sin. Consider this Yiddish proverb: “Flattery makes friends and truth makes enemies.” But the friends made by flattery are not worth…
Last time, we noted that God himself initiated a relationship to his creation by way of condescension. “Condescension” is a metaphorical term. It means “to come down.” But God does not “come down” by occupying a space that he did…
Last time, we noted that God himself initiated a relationship to his creation by way of condescension. “Condescension” is a metaphorical term. It means “to come down.” But God does not “come down” by occupying a space that he did…
Ben Carson shocked many of his supporters when he endorsed Donald Trump for president. The guy who was running a campaign on ethics and morality stabbed his admirers in the back. But don’t worry, he had reasons. Though Carson seemed…
“If you want to know who rules over you, find out who you are not allowed to criticize” – Voltaire If the three sisters of grace are faith, hope, and love, we may also say the three sisters of the…
Love is the end (telos) of the apostles’ teaching and the first apology for the faith (1 Tim. 1:5). Without love even the most celebrated preacher or apologist is just a noisy gong or clanging cymbal; by love even the…
This is the sixth of a ten part treatment of the significance of the Transfiguration for Christian theology and biblical reflection. I am currently exploring the way in which the Transfiguration draws upon associations with the events of the Exodus…
Rosaria Champagne Butterfield. Openness Unhindered: Further Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert on Sexual Identity and Union with Christ. Pittsburgh, PA: Crown & Covenant Publications, 2015. 206pp. $12.99 “Follow me as I follow Christ.” So Paul unsubtly implores on several occasions…
Socialism is Merely Human: a response to Rick Phillips’ Blog post, “Socialism is Evil” The attraction of young voters to Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign has puzzled some observers. The bewilderment is often mentioned in conjunction with Sanders’ declared vision of…
“One thing,” Martin Luther writes in the Freedom of a Christian (1520), “and only one thing, is necessary for Christian life, righteousness, and freedom. That one thing is _______.” Knowing Luther to be the author, we’re quick to assume that “faith” belongs…
