J. Todd Billings, associate professor of Reformed theology at Western Theological Seminary, wrote an article in the July/August 2012 edition of Christianity Today that challenges the popular understanding of incarnational ministry. Billings finds most recent approaches have "serious problems" with wide ranging implications (p.59), and almost all reject the view that Billings proposes as normative: "Jesus alone is God incarnate" (p.63). In contrast to that theological Read More …
Christ
Trinitarian Language (#0744)
Long before I knew much about the word Trinity, I regularly heard the classical Trinitarian formulation in worship on a weekly basis: Father, Son, and Spirit. I didn't give much thought to this formulation until I was engaged in my theological studies. In the years since, I have moved away from language that many associate with gender. While I think variety is essential for both practical and theological reasons, I find myself using one formulation more often than Read More …
Bread for the Journey (#0725)
I have been privileged to be a part of Christian communities that celebrate Communion differently. Among these differences: Name: Holy Communion, Lord's Supper, or Eucharist Frequency: weekly, monthly, or periodically Who Presides: only ordained clergy or only lay leaders or both groups are welcome in this role Presence: a complex continuum of understanding how Jesus is present Elements: (1) bread - a single shared loaf or multiple loaves - single option for all or for Read More …