At the end of each the year I put out the list of books I have read that year. Usually they consist of a lot of theology books, followed up by a good chunk of philosophy books, and a few fiction books thrown in. In 2013 I read 106 books. In 2014 I read 87 books.Continue reading “Books Read in 2016”
Category Archives: Religion
A Resolution for 2017: Be Yourself!
I’ve seen the meme’s all over the internet. 2016 was the year from hell! I get it… a lot of bad stuff happened (mainly Trump became President) and a lot of cool people passed away. In all honesty, for me 2016 was a pretty awesome year. First of all, my beautiful baby daughter, Shiloh GraceContinue reading “A Resolution for 2017: Be Yourself!”
Paul’s New Perspective
Paul’s New Perspective is Paul’s old perspective. That’s the Garwood Anderson’s thesis in Paul’s New Perspective. In this long (+400 page) but very readable book Anderson argues against those advocates of The New Perspective on Paul and those of the Traditional Protestant Perspective (sometimes called the Lutheran view) showing that neither camp really gets PaulContinue reading “Paul’s New Perspective”
Torrance & Scottish Theology
From a Review of Torrance’s Scottish Theology: Dr. T.F. Torrance is among the immortals of Scottish theology, his work on the trinity an enduring priceless legacy. He has placed the homoousion at the heart of all our belief, reminding us that God has no face but Jesus. Even in his anger there is no un-ChristlikenessContinue reading “Torrance & Scottish Theology”
Christmas – Through the Eyes of the Early Church
For the last +2000 years, the church has reflected on and celebrated the birth of our Lord and Savior. This is how it all started. Merry Christmas!
John Calvin on the Benefits of Baptism
A century after his death, William Poole excluded Calvin from his 1669 Synopsis Criticorum because supposedly Calvin was overly practical. Although in some ways Poole was off the mark with this critique, there is some truth in Calvin’s reputation as a pastor, primarily concerned with practical matters. Calvin’s practical and pastoral concerns emerge in hisContinue reading “John Calvin on the Benefits of Baptism”
The Vulnerable Pastor
Vulnerable. Not the first word that comes to mind when you think about strong leaders. Yet, this word, “Vulnerable,” is what Mandy Smith, lead pastor of University Christian Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, suggests should characterize strong Christian leaders. In The Vulnerable Pastor: How Human Limitations Empower Our Ministry Smith attempts to debunk current leadership wisdomContinue reading “The Vulnerable Pastor”
Reviews of Calvin’s Ladder
A varied cast of characters has taken interest in Julie Canlis’s Calvin’s Ladder: A Spiritual Theology of Ascent and Ascension. This book has caught the attention, in the form of reviews, of church historians, philosophers, and pastors. Those writing from the perspective of these vocations have all noticed strengths and weaknesses in Canlis’s book whichContinue reading “Reviews of Calvin’s Ladder”
Calvin’s Ladder: A Spiritual Theology of Ascent and Ascension
The church is no stranger to theologies of ascent. Julie Canlis, lecturer at Regent College, suggests that Calvin’s voice ought to join the chorus of such theologies. In Calvin’s Ladder: A Spiritual Theology of Ascent and Ascension, Canlis argues that Calvin’s voice isn’t drowned out in this chorus but that it sticks out for variousContinue reading “Calvin’s Ladder: A Spiritual Theology of Ascent and Ascension”
John Calvin and the Poor
If God gives a man wealth, it is to put his charity to the test. We are to give an account of what God has placed in our hands. But if our neighbors endure hardship because of our lack of mercy, it is certain that it will not go unpunished. . . . We seeContinue reading “John Calvin and the Poor”
CWoznicki Think Out Loud 