Category Archives: Theology

Targuman on Why do Christians need a body?

Posted on March 26, 2010 by admin

Everything my friend Chris Brady writes is intelligent and well worth reading. But the spiritual amplifier gets turned up to eleven by his current post “Why do Christians seem to need a body?” Chris aka Dean Brady focuses on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, New Testament, Theology | Comments Off

They ask the questions we avoid (or) Why does God save yet not prevent?

Posted on March 10, 2010 by Rick

I have one of the best jobs on the planet. Pastoring a small church whose primary ministry is with international students and scholars. Most of whom are here for a limited period of time. Many of whom are studying the … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Hebrew Bible, Internationals, Personal, Theology, Tolkien | 2 Comments

Climbing out of a hole (or) And grace will lead

Posted on October 8, 2009 by Rick

*Warning. This is a bit personal.* Not many people are aware that I spent the last year or so in a “hole”. Did my work but not much else. Almost never practiced spiritual disciplines. Avoided socializing. Did not interact much … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal, Theology | 1 Comment

The need for theological identity

Posted on September 29, 2009 by Rick

Been reading Christian Theology: An Introduction by Alister McGrath. In the chapter on “The Modern Period” McGrath surveys and summarizes a grocery list of “major theological movements” during the “Modern” period. Romanticism, Marxism, Liberal Protestantism, Modernism (found this one hard … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Personal, Theology | Comments Off

The glory of human freedom in "Minority Report"

Posted on September 20, 2009 by Rick

Last night was planning to get to bed early but “Minority Report” was on. Tried to find the dvd version – was the very first dvd we owned a gift from two ministry volunteers – but no joy. So just … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies and film, Orthodoxy, Religion, Theology | 2 Comments

Those who "sleep" (or) Moebius syllogism?

Posted on September 16, 2009 by Rick

A turning point(?) in my theological understanding of death was when during Introduction to Christian Mission my fine professor Isam Ballenger rather strongly state “the Christian faith does not teach the immortality of the soul – it teaches resurrection of … Continue reading →

Posted in Hebrew Bible, Logic and Reason, New Testament, Theology, Uncategorized | 6 Comments

Excellent speech by President Obama – seriously

Posted on September 13, 2009 by Rick

Ah yes the controversial address to the schoolchildren of America by President Barack Obama on September 9. Yes we can complain legitimately about the “teaching materials” that the Department of Education first planned to use – and then did not. … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Politics, Rhetoric, Theology | Comments Off

"The Gospel According to Puccini" (SERMON – August 30, 2009)

Posted on August 31, 2009 by Rick

Preface (partly for William): I have for months been planning on at least two long posts on “The Gospel According to Puccini”. (Remotely similar to Donald Miller’s Christian interpretation of “Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare.) One interpreting “Turandot” terms … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Sermons, Theology | 1 Comment

Theology as snapshots of a slowly moving river

Posted on August 17, 2009 by Rick

This is one of the busiest times of the year for Church of the Nations. I do not have much time or energy this month for posting. But since I appreciate people coming here I do want to post something. … Continue reading →

Posted in Orthodoxy, Personal, Theology | Comments Off

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