Friday, March 15, 2019
Thursday, March 14, 2019
Thursday Thoughts - March 14
The patron saints of reductionism and polarization in contemporary Christian thought frequently dominate disputes over language, philosophy, theology, science, and their interaction. Let’s move in a different direction in order to create a space for dialogue, mediate one-sided extremes, and offer a hermeneutic of relation and distinction, which depicts a new vision for engaging with these contested issues. In doing so, I’d wager, we’re after something like a perceptive and tension-filled wisdom that goes beyond modernist and postmodernist dead ends and thus offers a valid way ahead.
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
Living Spiritual Rhythms - March 13
Not exactly sure how evolution came about, but as
far as we can tell its pros and cons have been around for billions of years.
Viruses and bacteria, for example, appear to be both beneficial and detrimental
to survival on the planet. Thus, how we configure God in light of the natural
world informer and through the veil of life and death is becoming increasingly
important for having a valid theology. Such a configuration process can no
longer be ignored and should now be embraced, as we explore that which nature
seems to be telling us concerning this unfathomable and mysterious God
character. To discover deeper truths will require the sacrifice of a myriad of
superficial ones. Be that as it may, the journey must go on.
Monday, March 11, 2019
Reflection for the Week - March 11
Empirical data is a persuasive informer, which can tempt us to believe it’s all there is. Yet, numerous difficulties arise here, not least the aspect that so much of our lives are non-empirical. Consider, for example, thoughts, emotions, imaginations, and a self-referential talking to ourselves. These ‘invisibles’ are a strong argument against the reductionistic tendencies of empiricism and for a reality that includes the unseen.
Thursday, March 7, 2019
Thursday Thoughts - March 7
Let’s face it, while humans are unique among primates, they are also not put together in the best way possible. We malfunction, break down, and wear out. Death will claim us all. Perhaps, because of this we can begin to perceive that a Christ like ‘transformed life’ is not merely a hope, but even more importantly a necessity.
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Living Spiritual Rhythms - March 6
Since we’re at a “defining moment” in the history of Christianity, I’d wager it’s time for a re-examination of who God is and what God does. Tread carefully, but tread we must. The biblical writers give an Ancient Near Eastern or Greco-Roman picture of God, and their limited understanding of the natural world had a significant influence on their theologies. We are better informed today about nature, notably evolution, and this can’t help but cause us to re-view the theologies of those who precede us. Some of these may be worth holding on to, yet others will have to be let go of. The days where the Christian faith attempted to stand on the biblical text alone for its theology are over. It’s now just a matter of how long it will take for Christians to accept this, consult multiple informers, and refigure what they believe about God and the world.
Monday, March 4, 2019
Reflection for the Week - March 4
I often hear people say we should have complete
reliance on God for everything. For me, this seems ridiculous and potentially irresponsible.
It doesn’t look like God wants us to be so totally reliant on God that we don’t
rely on ourselves at all. I see the double axis of creation and salvation bringing
two perspectives into play here. God in creation calls us to “care for” the
planet on God’s behalf – take responsibility. God in salvation invites us to
recognize our “inability to save” ourselves – accept being reliant. Then we
spend the rest of our lives living the tension of creation care and salvific
reliance. Responsibility and dependence flow out through us into the world
where totalities, even with God as their referent, are not real options.
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