Church v.2020 - Ten Changes: #6 More Jesus-Centered – Less Focused on Tradition When compared with the American church of 2012, the future church (v.2020) will be more Jesus-centered and less focused on tradition. This shift offers considerable hope for renewal within the church and growth from those who find its new emphasis appealing. While past efforts have tended toward extremes (e.g., Restoration movements on the right and the Jesus Seminar on the left) new quests will be Read More …
Jesus
Future Church – More About Questions (#0701)
Church v.2020 - Ten Changes: #7 More About Questions – Less About Answers When compared with the American church of 2012, the future church (v.2020) will be a community that is more open to questions and less about providing black and white answers. This change in philosophy will be evidenced in many ways, including: Increased focus on both the content and style of Jesus’ teaching with a particular emphasis on parable. When teaching with parables Jesus invited his followers Read More …
What Was Truly Original About Jesus? (#0693)
In the April 2012 edition of Christianity Today, David Neff interviewed Amy-Jill Levine on the topic of "Jesus Through Jewish Eyes." Levine is one of three dozen Jewish scholars who contributed to The Jewish Annotated New Testament (2011). In addition to co-editing that work, she has written numerous volumes and teaches New Testament at Vanderbilt University. Her response to the question, "So, what was truly original about Jesus?" follows. He's the only person I can find Read More …
Review of The Best of Will Willimon (#0690)
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 New Look at the Seven Deadly Sins and Thank God It’s Read More …
Review of the Power of Parable (#0683)
Meet the Author John Dominic Crossan "is generally regarded as the leading historical Jesus scholar in the world." He has been a professor of religious studies at DePaul University since 1969 and currently serves that institution as professor emeritus. Over the last forty years Crossan has written over twenty-five books on the historical Jesus, earliest Christianity, and the historical Paul. Some of his best-sellers include God and Empire: Jesus Against Read More …
Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus (#0610)
In less than a week a 4 minute video, Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus, by spoken word artist Jefferson Bethke has received over 10 million hits. It is a video with an important message that is worth watching, sharing, and discussing. So What? Organized religion has many strengths, but must not be blinded by its weaknesses. In listening to the poets words over and over again, I hear a prophetic call to put Jesus first in all contexts (including that of institutional Read More …
The 2nd Most Popular Person in America (#0567)
A recent national survey by Public Policy Polling sought to determine the most popular person in America. Only two people included in the survey received a 90% or greater approval rating: #1 Abraham Lincoln (91%) and #2 Jesus (90%). Of course, one could argue the survey data actually ranks them #2 and #3 since the survey respondents gave themselves an even higher favorable rating (93%). A select group received favorability ratings in excess of 80%: George Washington (86%) Read More …
How Christians Undermine Christianity (#0562)
James F. McGrath, associate professor of religion at Butler University, recently shared four ways Christians undermine Christianity: Demand that others, regardless of their religious tradition, wish you a Merry Christmas Promote the use of King James Version only Let Barnes and Noble define what is Scripture (what is contained between the covers of your Bible) Use circular reasoning So What? Plenty of people outside of Christianity do a great job of pointing out the shortcomings of Read More …
Communication Tools &The Future of the Church (#0542)
Bobby Gruenewald serves as innovation leader for LifeChurch.tv, which is a congregation of nearly 30,000 who meet at 14 campuses throughout the United States. In this role he "oversees the Digerati, Media Design, and Communications teams as well as the LifeChurch.tv Open, Network and United operations." His innovative leadership, especially with the YouVersion Bible (more on that here), earned him a spot on the FastCompany's list of the top 100 creative people in Read More …
Ministry in 2011 (#0535)
Jin An, IT Director at Quest Church and owner of 8 Four Consulting, recently wrote a guest piece for the New Media Project. He begins his article with observations about what he knows of life in 2011, including "I can have church on my phone or laptop." So What? For years, many have taught that ministry modeled after Jesus should do as he did. One implication of that philosophy is that those who follow the way of Jesus should meet people where they are. An provides updated Read More …