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Wimpy, Weak, and Woke (Book Review)
“We think that for a general about to fight an enemy, it is important to know an enemy’s numbers, but still more important to know the enemy’s philosophy” (G.K. Chesterton).[1] Imagine living in a world of chaos, complete irrationality, and histrionics, a world where reason, history, and reality do not exist or no longer matter. Imagine living in a world where people who claim to be “oppressed” and “powerless” can riot in the streets with impunity and use their “marginalized”[2] status to get you fired or charged with hate crimes and dragged through court for years. Wait, we do not need to imagine this. Ever wonder what the heck[3] is…
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Four Books to Put on Your Reading List
Recently four books have arrived on the scene that have me updating the reading I require for a course on women in ministry leadership. Some incredible historians and researchers have given us much to consider (recommendations do not necessarily mean full endorsement): Icons of Christ: A Biblical and Systematic Theology for Women’s Ordination by William G. Witt. Witt teaches theology and ethics at Trinity School for Ministry, an institution in the Anglican tradition based in Pennsylvania. Protestants who oppose women’s ordination focus primarily on male authority; their Roman Catholic counterparts emphasize sacramental integrity. Yet both of these positions are new developments in the history of theology, as the church’s historic position…
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The Beginner’s Bible Review and GIVEAWAY!!
The question I got asked most as a Children’s Ministry Director was, “What Bible do you recommend for beginners?” The Beginner’s Bible by Zonderkidz is my top choice! With more than 90 Bible stories from the Old and New Testaments, this story Bible is perfect to introduce children to the love and purpose of God; and, help them gain knowledge to build a strong foundation for their faith. The vibrant illustrations enhance the story beautifully and captivate their attention whether you are reading to them or they are reading on their own. It’s a perfect resource for bed time stories at home or stories time…
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Yearnings of the Heart
It disguises itself as that stabbing feeling you get when something goes terribly wrong. It shows up when the new shiny thing you just bought doesn’t really bring the happiness you thought it would. It stomps across your heart when you feel adrift and wonder why you’re even here and if your life matters. It’s that abiding sense of, “this isn’t the way it is supposed to be” and the despairing whisper of, “is this all there is?” Let’s admit it. At our core we feel unsatisfied. We know life should be better, justice should prevail, things should go right. Our hearts are built to hold much more than they…
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New Book: For Women Preaching to Women
Dr. Jackie Roese has been teaching women for a long time. And doing it well. Really well. The woman can preach. She’s even trained lots of others to do the same. And she has a key concern: those women who are most committed to the biblical text are the least likely to receive formal training in homiletics. The few among us who actually do get formal training end up reading books by men that speak to a male audience and include all-male examples. He, he, he. Not funny. So She Can Teach (Wipf & Stock, 2013) is by a woman for women, and it is designed to capitalize on women’s unique perspectives.…
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“The Confessions of St. Augustine” (A Conservative Christian Goes to College, part 18)
“Whom could I find to reconcile me to you? Was I to seek the help of angels? By what prayer, what sacraments? Many people in their attempts to return to you and not being able to do so by their own strength have, so I hear, tried this way and have fallen into a desire for strange visions and have become, rightly, the victim of delusions…. They were seeking a mediator through whom to become clean, but this was not he. It was the devil” – “The Confessions of St. Augustine”, Book X, Chapter 42.[1] World Religions Class. It was time for our book reviews to be presented in front…
