Last weekend I found my way to Jim Palmer's list of "15 Things Jesus Didn't Say." Three items on his list really resonated with me: I have come to bring you a new religion; By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have correct theology; and If anyone would come after me, let him disparage all other religions and their followers. So What? For the last several years I have been seeking to follow the way of Jesus. Often I find well meaning Christians who lose Read More …
Gospel
The Gospel in 7 Words (#0844)
The September 5, 2012, edition of the Christian Century includes an article entitled "The Gospel in Seven Words." A few of the many submissions follow: We are the church of infinite chances -- Mary Karr God through Jesus Christ, welcomes you anyhow -- Martin E. Marty We are who God says we are -- Nadia Bolz-Weber (p. 20-25) So What? Articulating one's faith or significant components of such briefly is challenging, but important work. The contributor's to the article Read More …
A Challenge to Change (#0826)
Cynthia Rigby, professor of theology at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, recently contributed to Bill McKenzie's Texas Faith Blog on the topic of whether or not religion has lost its bite. Rigby's words are appropriately challenging for those who follow the way of Jesus: The point of true religion is not to notarize our behaviors, but to challenge us to change. The Gospel pulls the rug out from under us and our ways by telling us we should do radical things such as Read More …
The Gospel in 7 Words or Less (#0548)
The Christian Century recently asked several significant Christians to provide their take on the Gospel in seven words or less. Martin E. Marty, Fairfax M. Cone Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus of the History of Modern Christianity in the Divinity School at the University of Chicago, responded as follows: " God, through Jesus Christ, welcomes you anyhow." So What? If you were given just seven words (or less), how would you answer the question: "What's the gospel?" Read More …
Review of The King Jesus Gospel (#0520)
Meet the Author Scot McKnight is professor of religious studies at North Park University. He is a leading authority on the New Testament, early Christianity, and the historical Jesus. McKnight has written over 20 books including The Jesus Creed: Loving God, Loving Others (read how this book has influenced me), Fasting (read my review), The Real Mary: Why Evangelicals Can Embrace the Mother of Jesus (read my review), and One.Life: Read More …
Review of Why Jesus? (#0190)
William H. Willimon. Why Jesus? Abingdon Press: 2010. ISBN: 9781426700286. Meet the Author Since 2004, William H. Willimon has served as a Bishop in the United Methodist Church responsible for overseeing 57,000 members and 792 pastors in North Alabama. Previously, he served for twenty years as Dean of the Chapel and Professor of Christian Ministry at Duke University. Willimon is the author of over sixty books including two best sellers: Sinning Like a Christian: A Read More …