Category Archives: Index

“Faith Lessons” by Ray Vander Laan: The Lord is My Shepherd, Part 1

This is my favorite one so far because Vander Laan so powerfully enriches my understanding of some familiar passages. And because I’m an elder trying to be a shepherd. This is short lesson, and I have more thoughts on it … Continue reading

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God’s Transforming Word, Defining Some Terms, Part 2

“Inerrant” Now denominations have split over the meaning of the non-Biblical word “inerrant.” While many pretend that it’s a black-and-white question, it’s really filled with shades of gray, so that many people who claim to believe the Bible to be … Continue reading

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God’s Transforming Word, Defining Some Terms, Part 1

When we discuss inerrancy, it’s critical that we avoid treating some very different ideas as the same. There are, in fact, very many positions within the not-inerrant camp, some of which are indeed heresy and some of which, I think, … Continue reading

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Ironic Faith: Homosexuality

It’s no surprise that the emerging churches have a special concern for homosexuals. Emergents are not so much pro-gay or pro-lesbian as they are convinced that sexuality is more complex than many acknowledge. They are committed both to the Bible, … Continue reading

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“Faith Lessons” by Ray Vander Laan: Lachish and God’s Wrath, Part 2

* How can God’s people make a truly significant difference in the culture of this country? * One teacher suggested: We should get with the other churches in town (not just Churches of Christ) and combine our efforts to do … Continue reading

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Ironic Faith: Pluralism

McKnight next raises the question of whether Christianity is exclusive — Fifth, public schools drilled the messages of multiculturalism and pluralism into emergents’ heads and hearts, while their churches were teaching them that all those without explicit faith in Christ … Continue reading

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“Faith Lessons” by Ray Vander Laan: Lachish and God’s Wrath, Part 1

[I’ve been writing lessons to go with “Faith Lessons” DVD series by Ray Vander Laan. At first, I thought the lessons would only work for those with the DVDs, so I’ve just been posting them by adding to the original post. … Continue reading

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New Policy — the End of Ad Hominem Arguments

[I’m reposting this from March. Just a reminder of a standing policy that I’ve been too busy to reiterate until now.] I’ve lost patience with ad hominem attacks. Christians should know how to debate issues and not attack motives or … Continue reading

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Ironic Faith: The God of the Old Testament

McKnight now delves into even tougher territory — Sixth, emergents sometimes exercise a deconstructive critique of the Bible’s view of God. Sometimes I hear it in ways that are no more interesting that Marcion’s old (and heretical) critique of the … Continue reading

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Ironic Faith: Integrity

Scot McKnight’s fourth point deals with the hypocrisy of much of popular evangelicalism — Fourth, emergents were burned by the lack of integrity among popular evangelical media figures. They watched or heard the stories about Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart … Continue reading

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