Category Archives: Uncategorized

Pagan Christianity and Congregational Autonomy, Part 1

Pagan Christianity is a new/old book by George Barna and Frank Viola. Viola wrote an earlier version called, confusingly enough, Pagan Christianity, which attracted much less attention. But this edition, with the well-known statistician George Barna listed as co-author, has … Continue reading

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On Bad Elders: Thinking Out Loud

One of the biggest challenges facing the Churches of Christ today is how to deal with lousy elders. Of course, many churches have excellent elderships, but there are far too many congregations being held back by weak, ineffective, or downright … Continue reading

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Which Gospel? The Gospel of Communion (the Gospels)

As we continue to investigate the central theme of the gospel — particularly the gospel as it applies to those who’ve been saved — it only makes sense to look at baptism and communion. After all, these are universal practices … Continue reading

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Which Gospel? The Gospel of Baptism (Paul), Part 3

The end of regulations (Col 2:11-17) In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, 12 having been … Continue reading

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I Am No Music Scholar

Fascinating post from Dan Kimball on reactions to musical innovations. Here’s a sample — I am no music scholar, but I feel I know appropriate church music when I hear it. Last Sunday’s new hymn – if you can call … Continue reading

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Buried Talents: That’s All I Have to Say About That

This is the end. (Well, for now.) Several weeks ago, I wrote about a perfectly good hallucination, and some folks got upset because I had drug-induced delusion about female elders. And so I figured it was a topic worth studying … Continue reading

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Surprised by Hope: What Are “Treasures in Heaven”?

Jesus was fond of promising his listeners “treasures in heaven.” I’ve often wondered what that really means? Will there be degrees of reward? And what would that mean? I mean, is it a bigger room? Higher quality gold on the … Continue reading

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Surprised by Hope: Where Are the Dead? Part 3

Summary Therefore, the nature of the end of things seems to me to be something like this: * God has made/will make a New Earth and New Heaven. However, these will not be made of the same stuff as this … Continue reading

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Surprised by Hope: Where Are the Dead? Part 2

Modern Physics and the Second Coming So here’s my theory. Let’s call it “Modern Physics and the Second Coming.” (I bet you weren’t expecting that!) According to the Hawking-Penrose Theorem, derived from Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity, time began when … Continue reading

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Surprised by Hope: Where Are the Dead? Part 1

We’ve covered in some depth what happens when the Eschaton arrives, but we already know that some have been awaiting that event for nearly 2,000 years — and no one knows when it will happen. What happens in the meantime? … Continue reading

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