Category Archives: Christian Practice

Physical/spiritual actions and spiritual/physical salvation

(Ed – when I speak to Evensong on Sunday evenings I do not prepare a full “manuscript” but rather use brief notes. So when I “publish” them I throw in some some words here and there to help the reader … Continue reading

Posted in Bible, Christian Practice, Hebrew Bible, Sermons, Theology | 1 Comment

How theology matters

(How theology matters) Richard M. Wright Evensong at University Baptist Church Sunday August 01 2010 Colossians 1 “Spaceships? Our space fleet is the ships the Settlers came in from Urras nearly two centuries ago. To build just a ship to … Continue reading

Posted in Bible, Christian Practice, New Testament, Personal, Sermons, Theology | Leave a comment

Will young Americans truly turn toward liberal Christianity?

(ed – I almost did not publish this. Do not like to “pick an argument” with such a public figure and that is not my intent.) Normally I do not pay much attention to what American religion scholar Diana Butler … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Practice, Christianity, Issues, Logic and Reason, Religion, Roman Catholicism, Society and Culture | 4 Comments

Lord deliver us from politics (or) Trusting God when things fall apart

Turning and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned; … Continue reading

Posted in Announcement, Christian Practice, Economics, Ethnicity and race, Issues, Louisiana, Personal, Politics, Society and Culture | 5 Comments

Christianity and religious freedom in China (or) Reflections on journey through China, part IV

Complicated. Changing. Encouraging. Those three words encapsulate what Chinese Christians shared with me concerning religious freedom and the state of the Christian church in China. The third of my three goals for the trip through China was to observe first … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Practice, Christianity, Ministry, Religion, Travel | 3 Comments

Is this what it takes to attract young Baptists?

From one of the coordinators for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship in Louisiana I received by email a link to a recent opinion piece published through the Associated Baptist Press: “Why 20- and 30-year-olds are leaving the Baptist church” by Carra … Continue reading

Posted in Baptists, Christian Practice, Ecclesiology, Ministry, Society and Culture | Leave a comment

Society for Biblical Literature meeting – day 3

Been strange but good this year. Enjoyed the time with my friend Chris Brady and chance to meet some of his friends and colleagues and fellow bibliobloggers. Lunch at Bacco’s was excellent and only $15. Dinner at Ralph and Kacoo’s … Continue reading

Posted in Bible, Fun and Geek Stuff, Personal, Sabbath, Travel | Leave a comment

What makes worship?

At the “Service of Reconciliation” the evening after the senior pastor resigned rather abruptly several spoke positively of the second worship service. Many along the lines of “as long as people are worshiping the Lord who cares what instruments they … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Practice, Hebrew Bible, Worship and Liturgy | Leave a comment

Has "women in ministry" become central dogma?

I could get in serious trouble for this. Let me begin by reminding people that: I married my campus minister (and she hates that I keep saying that – sounds like she was some sort of stalker or predator who … Continue reading

Posted in Baptists, Christian Practice, Christianity, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Orthodoxy, Personal, Southern Baptist Convention, Women | Leave a comment

Is repentance turning away or turning toward?

The senior pastor and about half the ministerial staff are at Kid’s Camp so I was asked to speak to Evensong last Sunday night. The senior pastor let me know that the theme for the last few weeks has been … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Practice, Mark, Theology | Leave a comment