For by him [Jesus] all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. (Col. 1:16, ESV) In his thought-provoking book, Desiring the Kingdom, James K. A. Smith gives a helpful and broad definition of the kingdom that can apply to all … Read More
Civility Again: Why We Need to Say More About How We Say Things
I was grieved this week. Not only because children were being separated from their parents as a result of the new “zero-tolerance” policy at the U.S.-Mexico border—something that has been opposed by major evangelical organizations for weeks, but because I saw relationships severed due to the emotional and ugly rhetoric on both sides. We so easily villainize each other and Christians … Read More
Recovering the Lost Art of Civility
Believe it or not, my biggest challenge in my role as Executive Director of Church Outreach and Engagement at Care Net is to de-link pro-life efforts from politics. If I can’t do that, I can’t gain a hearing among those who most need to hear my message about how to offer compassion, hope, help, and discipleship to the abortion-vulnerable. Sadly, … Read More
How I Changed my Mind About Genesis 1 and Science, Part 5 of 5
I am incompetent to endorse evolution. My point is that the scientific consensus endorses it, and, like B. B. Warfield, as an exegete and biblical theologian I see no need to interpret natural selection for the origin of species within an atheist worldview. Natural selection can be accepted within a framework of trusting Scripture as inerrant as to its source … Read More
How I Changed my Mind About Genesis 1 and Science, Part 4 of 5
If indeed nature and Scripture have the same author, as Christians affirm, then there cannot, ultimately, be any disagreement between what we “read” in one book and what we read in the other.[1]– Dennis R. Venema, Ph.D. and professor of biology Theology shouldn’t merely withstand scientific discovery—it should celebrate it as a display of God’s handiwork.[2]– Daniel M. Harrell, Ph.D. … Read More
How I Changed my Mind About Genesis 1 and Science, Part 3 of 5
Neither the Bible nor nature are self-interpreting, so our interpretations in either realm are always potentially fallible and wrong.- Gordon Fish, Ph.D. physicist and patent agent Unwillingness to critically challenge one’s interpretative methods sounds dangerously close to declaring personal infallibility.- Stephen Ashley Blake, President of Realm Entertainment We mentioned last week that there’s evidence that God in his kindness used … Read More
How I Changed my Mind About Genesis 1 and Science, Part 2 of 5
The most hurtful theologically-driven myth of all times [is] that human beings are… specially created and endowed with souls, whereas ‘they’—all other creatures—were not.[1] -David P. Barash, Professor of Psychology Emeritus at the University of Washington Once many of us climb out of the swamp of our own, often fear-based and isolated, Christian subcultures, we’ll be better prepared to respond … Read More
How I Changed my Mind About Genesis 1 and Science, Part 1 of 5
I’m no kin to the monkey and the monkey’s no kin to me. I don’t know much about your ancestors but mine didn’t swing from a tree. It’s a ditty I learned in Sunday School. It was also the extent of my knowledge of evolutionary biology, except a few things I learned in Jack Chick’s comic books. When I was … Read More
Confessions of an Affirmation Junkie
Am I now seeking human approval, or God’s approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Gal. 1:10, ESV) Feed your life with my life’s work. How many likes is my life worth? –Sick Boy by The Chainsmokers[1] My phone lies close by as I write. Although … Read More
Why the Sea Restores Us
The ocean, like no other place on the planet, is God’s gift to teach us how to make peace with the two realities we struggle most with: constancy and change. Let me explain. Two months ago, Pam and I enjoyed the gift of a week of vacation with some friends who have a condo in Bonaire (an island off the … Read More