Published in After Deconstruction·Aug 16, 2021A New FundamentalismOut of one and into another — There seems to me to be only a couple of options of where to go after deconstruction. You can perhaps find a new community within the deconstruction movements, maybe form a new identity of belief there. This is a great place to be… for a time. It is incredible that…Theology2 min readTheology2 min read
Published in After Deconstruction·Aug 11, 2021After DeconstructionWhat do you do after deconstruction? If you have been in Christianity for some time, the term “deconstruction” may have come up. Perhaps it was a deeply negative idea when you heard it, maybe it was hopeful. …Christianity2 min readChristianity2 min read
Published in Bible Reflections·Feb 18, 2021February 18th, 2021Psalm 25:1–10; Daniel 9:1–14; 1 John 1:3–10 — The 1 John passage forms the basis for confession within the church. I hear these words every Sunday after corporate confession. It is also perhaps notable that these words are plural and first person, “if we confess our sins,” “will forgive us our sins,” “cleanse us.” …Daily Thoughts2 min readDaily Thoughts2 min read
Published in Bible Reflections·Feb 17, 2021Ash WednesdayJoel 2:1–2, 12–17, Psalm 51:1–17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10, Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21 — Today is Ash Wednesday. I’ve said some of these things before, but I feel I need to in part because the church calendar is still so unfamiliar to me. I didn’t grow up acknowledging Ash Wednesday at all, and Lent was to me a Catholic thing, like a second New…Daily Thoughts2 min readDaily Thoughts2 min read
Published in Bible Reflections·Feb 16, 2021February 16, 2021Psalm 110:1–4; Job 19:23–27; 1 Timothy 3:14–16 — The passage from Job brings to mind a question that I may have raised before. The footnotes in my study bible tell me that these lines are famous in Job because they were used in part of Handel’s Messiah thinking of Jesus. The trouble is, that in context it seems…Daily Thoughts2 min readDaily Thoughts2 min read
Published in Bible Reflections·Feb 15, 2021February 15, 2021Psalm 110:1–4; Exodus 19:7–25; Hebrews 2:1–4 — In the Exodus story, when God comes down in a cloud on Sinai, all of Israel must make themselves ritually holy, getting as far away as possible from anything symbolically associated with death. …Daily Thoughts2 min readDaily Thoughts2 min read
Published in Bible Reflections·Feb 14, 2021Transfiguration SundayFebruary 14th, 2021 — 2 Kings 2:1–12, Psalm 50:1–6, 2 Corinthians 4:3–6, Mark 9:2–9 Today is Transfiguration Sunday, the day in the church calendar where we celebrate, remember, and marvel at the transfiguration that was witnessed by Peter, James, and John. For those less familiar with the liturgical calendar (and until recently I’d count…Daily Thoughts3 min readDaily Thoughts3 min read
Published in Bible Reflections·Feb 12, 2021February 12, 2021Psalm 50:1–6; 1 Kings 14:1–18; 1 Timothy 1:12–20 — Jeroboam was raised up as a king in judgment against Solomon and Rehoboam, but even though he had a divine mandate in one sense, that did not excuse him to do anything he wanted. He acted wickedly and so likewise was judged by God. American politics at least (I don’t…Daily Thoughts2 min readDaily Thoughts2 min read
Published in Bible Reflections·Feb 8, 2021February 8, 2021Psalm 102:12–28; 2 Kings 4:8–17, 32–37; Acts 14:1–7 — In these readings for today, the preaching of good news is accompanied by deeds of power—or at those tasked with speaking God’s word have the power to perform miraculous signs. Wherever Peter and then Paul in Acts go, they go preaching good news, healing the sick, and caring for the…Daily Thoughts3 min readDaily Thoughts3 min read
Published in Bible Reflections·Feb 7, 2021Fifth Sunday after the EpiphanyFebruary 7, 2021 — Isaiah 40:21–31, Psalm 147:1–11, 20c, 1 Corinthians 9:16–23, Mark 1:29–39 A theme across all our readings for today is that God is God over all. A God for the powerless in Isaiah, over all creation in our Psalm, over Jews and Gentiles, and God of the sick and demon-possessed in…Daily Thoughts2 min readDaily Thoughts2 min read
