If you read one article this week, make it Biblical Manuscripts and Their Commentaries by Daniel Wallace. If you have more time to read, consider engaging the suggestions below. As always, feel free to suggest any additional places I should be reading on a regular basis.
Monthly Archives: February 2015
Conceptions of the Ultimate in Early Christianity
This post is part of our ongoing series concerning “Conceptions of the Ultimate”, the manner in which various world religions understand the Divine. Today’s reflection engages Paula Fredriksen’s discussion of ultimate reality in early Christianity, found in Robert Cummings Neville’s Ultimate Realities. In this reflection, I want to touch on two facets of her essay:Continue reading “Conceptions of the Ultimate in Early Christianity”
American Christianity and the Hell of Paradise Lost
In at least some contemporary circles, the topic of the afterlife and Hell are hot topics (pardon the pun). This is especially true within numerous Christian communities as they react to the perspectives of various pastors and scholars on hell and the state on non-Christians after death. It seems safe to say that most AmericansContinue reading “American Christianity and the Hell of Paradise Lost”
Thoughts on Reading the Bible
Ten thoughts on reading the Bible: 1. Never read a Bible verse. Always read at least a paragraph, preferably more. Best is reading a whole book (more on that below). You can make any one verse mean any number of things, but considering the larger context of passage places that verse within a more meaningfulContinue reading “Thoughts on Reading the Bible”
Women and the Church? Reflections from Romans
In addition to writing here, I also serve as Managing Editor at Conciliar Post, a website dedicated to faithful and serious thinking about important topics. One of the many things I enjoy about Conciliar Post are the monthly Round Table discussions, where several writers offer answers to a question about a contemporary cultural or theologicalContinue reading “Women and the Church? Reflections from Romans”
Book Review: Fields of Blood (Armstrong)
For many people living in the West, an assumption exists that religion is inherently violent. After all, they say, just look at the evidence: religion has caused wars, the Crusades, terrorism, religion has made people hate and kill others for nothing more than the ideas that were in their heads. According to this view, religionsContinue reading “Book Review: Fields of Blood (Armstrong)”
Recommended Readings: February 14-20
If you read one article this week, engage The Creator God of the New Testament by Wesley Hill. For those of you with a bit more time on your hands, consider reading the suggestions below from this week (and late last). As always, I hope that you find these article interesting, challenging, and stimulating toContinue reading “Recommended Readings: February 14-20”
Ultimate Reality in Chinese Religion
This post is part of an ongoing series reflecting on “Conceptions of the Ultimate”, the manner in which world religions understand the divine. Today’s reflection engages the perspective of Livia Kohn on ultimate reality in Chinese religion. While finding Kohn’s treatment of the complexities and uniqueness of Chinese religions insightful, I was again struck byContinue reading “Ultimate Reality in Chinese Religion”
ECA: Lee McDonald on Early Christian Scripture
This post is part of our ongoing series examining Early Christian Authority. Over at Bible Odyssey, Lee Martin McDonald has offered a brief response to a question about when the writings of the New Testament became scripture: The New Testament (NT) writings were read in churches early on (Col 4:16), but were not generally calledContinue reading “ECA: Lee McDonald on Early Christian Scripture”
Reflections on the Institute for Creation Research
The topic of “Creation versus Evolution,” at least in many circles, often elicits a good deal of debate, many times in rather a heated manner. The point of this post is not to provoke strong emotions in anyone, but only to offer a few thoughts about the Institute for Creation Research, an outspoken advocate ofContinue reading “Reflections on the Institute for Creation Research”
Pursuing Veritas 