Category Archives: Christianity

Has "women in ministry" become central dogma?

Posted on September 3, 2009 by Rick

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 | Comments Off

God and politics for me – but not for thee

Posted on August 27, 2009 by Rick

Losing respect for people with whom I used to identify is painful. And I am beginning to despair for the future of rationality and honesty in our nation. Where does one even begin? I made the mistake of following a … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Healthcare, Politics, Propaganda, Religion, Rhetoric | 1 Comment

Church as visible concrete reality versus(?) overly-realized eschatology

Posted on August 12, 2009 by Rick

What and where is the Church? Is there only an ideal Church off somewhere/somewhen in heaven? Or can we see and experience and participate in the Church here and now? Metropolitan Ware writes: The Church is accomplished on earth without … Continue reading →

Posted in Baptists, Christianity, Ecclesiology, Orthodoxy, Theology | Comments Off

Vladimir Lossky and the practicality of "orthodox" theology

Posted on July 6, 2009 by Rick

The “Introduction” to The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church by Vladimir Lossky was an important turning point in my growing awareness of the importance of sound theology in the Christian life and in the Christian church. This is not … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Orthodoxy, Theology | Comments Off

In Houston for Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly

Posted on July 2, 2009 by Rick

Most years I do not attend. But this year we came for two primary reasons: I have been asked to participate in a panel on ministry with internationals and A chance to visit a member of the congregation who has … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Personal, Travel | 3 Comments

Outside Los Angeles for ACMI 2009

Posted on May 30, 2009 by Rick

My first time in California. ACMI is Association of Christians Ministering with Internationals – an umbrella network/organization for those who minister among internationals. (And by internationals they tend to mean not refugees and not even immigrants so much as visiting … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Internationals, Ministry, Personal, Travel, Uncategorized | Comments Off

Marketing versus(?) evangelism (or) Centripetal ecclesiology

Posted on May 21, 2009 by Rick

Outreach. Churches agonize about it. Well at least this one does. But listen and observe carefully how people talk about it and attempt to engage in it. Spend thousands of dollars on slick postcards to the community. “There’s a place … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Ecclesiology, Missiology | Comments Off

"Why do Christians hate Obama?" (or) How does one answer a broken question?

Posted on April 15, 2009 by Rick

Note (May 07, 2009): I marked this post as “private” after I wrote it. Was not comfortable with the idea of writing a post responding rather publicly (the Internet is very public) to something a congregant wrote on facebook (which … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Economics, Issues, Politics, Rhetoric, Society and Culture | 2 Comments

The folly of ritual tourism (or) Christian(s doing) "seders"

Posted on April 15, 2009 by Rick

AKMA offers a fascinating and (as always) deeply thoughtful post expressing discomfort with “the increasing frequency with which Christians set up and proceed to ‘enact’ seders“. He offers four specific “answers” on the issue. In his second answer where he … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Judaism, Religion, Worship and Liturgy | Comments Off

"Being Theologically Conservative"

Posted on April 13, 2009 by Rick

My friend Joshua (whom I get to visit when in Atlanta for Catalyst Conference) is a self-described “Socially Liberal, Theologically Conservative, Protestant” whose political views are “Very Liberal”. My intent here is not to debate or quibble with the “socially/politically … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Education, Personal, Sabbath, Theology | Comments Off