From Marvin Wilson’s Our Father Abraham: Jewish anthropologist Raphael Patai has observed that because the Hebrews liked the concrete and tended to avoid the abstract, the idea of doctrinal formulation was alien to their mind. In Hebrew thought the essence of true godliness is tied primarily to a relationship, not a creed. . . .For […]
Nice Sign
I was running my usual route through the neighborhood the other day and I saw a sign in a front yard several houses down that said: This yard is NOT your dog’s restroom. Please stay off the grass. I saw a Great Dane in the backyard next door. . . I can only hope that […]
October 11, 2005 by 2 Comments
Happy Birthday Elijah!
My little buddy, Elijah, turned three today. We celebrated with pizza, sundaes, games, and a present or two. Caleb and Elijah are both playing with the Star Wars Speeder and the Mr. Potato Head Darth Tater (courtesy of Grandma Sue).
October 10, 2005 by 3 Comments
On The Importance of Flossing
I’m sure you’ve heard of the Fixing Broken Windows theory of crime reduction. If not, go check out the link or what follows will seem even more random than it already is. On a personal level, this theory holds true for the way I manage my life. The broken windows I need to keep fixed […]
October 4, 2005 by 3 Comments
The Synagogue
Ever wonder how “The Synagogue” came to be? We read about synagogues all the time in the Gospels and in Acts, but where did they come from? We don’t read about them in the Hebrew Scriptures. There’s no command, example, inference, or precedent authorizing the Jewish people to form these small communities focused on prayer […]
October 3, 2005 by 21 Comments
Losing Jesus
In Luke 2:41-52, Joseph and Mary lose Jesus. They find him three days later in the temple area. They obviously didn’t have a rendezvous point they could go to in case they were separated. The young Jesus assumes that the temple would be the obvious place to rendezvous. Where else would he be? Nevermind that. […]
September 25, 2005 by 6 Comments
Exclusion and Embrace
Lohfink reminded me of Miroslav Volf’s Exclusion and Embrace. I’ve posted these quotes before, but I think they’re pertinent to the discussion, so please pardon the repetition. My thesis that the practice of nonviolence requires a belief in divine vengeance will be unpopular with many Christians, especially theologians in the West. To the person inclined […]
September 20, 2005 by 4 Comments
Lohfink on Jesus and His Disciples
More from Lohfink, this time on Jesus’ teaching on renunciation of violence: The radical ethic of renouncing violence is thus addressed neither to isolated individuals nor to the entire world, but precisely to the people of God which has been marked by the preaching of God’s reign. The thesis that renunciation of violence is possible […]
September 15, 2005 by 6 Comments
Rob Bell on Missions
Here’s a great definition of missions from Rob Bell in Velvet Elvis. Missions is less about the transportation of God from one place to another and more about the identification of a God who is already there. It is almost as if being a good missionary means having really good eyesight. Or maybe it means […]
September 14, 2005 by 8 Comments
Lohfink on Jesus and Israel
From Lohfink?s Jesus and Community: The rule of God evidently presupposes a people, a people of God, in whom it can become established and from whom it can shine forth. The texts of the New Testament must not be read through the lens of a theological individualism able to imagine the reign of God only […]
September 12, 2005 by 2 Comments
Telling Stories, Asking Questions, Learning Lessons