I’ve often heard Christians express doubts about their fitness to participate in the Lord’s Supper.  They say things like, “I don’t feel worthy to take it,” or “I feel like I need to get some things right before I take communion.” This is an understandable sentiment.  We know ourselves and our failures and we fear […]

I employed a dramatic frame for reading Ephesians when I wrote The Drama of Ephesians and very much enjoyed the exercise.  I’ve since discovered the fascinating work of others who have been reflecting on drama and theology for quite some time. Wesley Vander Lugt works in this field and he’s sharing his reflections at Theatrical Theology.  Check it out!

I posted a few times on divine election to demonstrate that there is no tension between this notion in Scripture and the love of God.  In this post I will draw this topic to a close, though we can continue discussion in the comments. Israel was God’s chosen people, elect for the purpose of showing […]

We can never talk enough about serving others in the name of Jesus.  We don’t talk nearly enough, however, about being served in the name of Jesus. Truly being neighbors, friends, and siblings in Jesus–serious Christian mutuality–means we need to cultivate the twin skills of giving and receiving gifts.  Make no mistake, these are indeed […]

Not only am I seeing resonances between U2 and Romans these days, but between Romans and “True Grit.”  The kids gifted me with this great work of theology for Fathers Day. Paul says this in Romans 12:19: “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for wrath, for it is written, ‘vengeance is mine, […]

At last Sunday’s U2 concert, one moment struck me awkwardly.  Bono was talking about America and its place in the world, as he often does.  He said, “not only is America a beautiful place; it’s a beautiful idea.” I winced because I thought of Stanley Hauerwas’s suggestion that genuine patriotism is commitment to a particular […]

We’re at the mid-point of another season in baseball’s Post-Steroid Era.  After turning a blind eye to obvious corruptions, Major League Baseball has acted commendably to rid the national pastime of PEDs.  Strengthened policy bore obvious fruit the last few years with the return of strategy and speed, greatly diminished home run totals, and a shocking […]

In John 4, Jesus states that his food was his encounter with the woman at the well in Sychar.  The narrative concludes with Jesus exhorting his disciples to reap a harvest.  The implication is that their sustenance is their missional encounter with others. I’ve been thinking about this in relation to divine election as the […]

The announcement is now posted for the next St Andrews Conference on Scripture and Christian Theology.  I’m scheming to find my way there, mainly for the scholarly engagement, but also in hopes of playing a few more rounds on the Auld Sod.

With so many commentaries on Romans, you’d think it would be easy to find one to use in a classroom setting.  Frankly, I didn’t feel great about any of those I consult regularly.  It’s difficult to find the right one that suits an intensive summer course with seminary students from various backgrounds. I spent some […]