A New Discussion Topic: American Evangelicalism Announcing a new discussion topic: “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory” — a video series featuring historical Randall Balmer. It is available for rent or purchase on Amazon Prime (only $2.99 for rental for 30 days but only 48 hours to watch it) and on Youtube. You can buy it on Amazon Prime for $19.99. I can’t recommend that you watch it on Youtube and I don’t know that it will stay there or... Read more

Does Calvinism Deny God’s Goodness? I just watched it again. It’s on Youtube. “Does God Predestine People to Hell // Ask Pastor John.” Before answering the question, Piper says that people should NOT believe God predestines people to hell IF believing that would cause them to doubt God’s goodness. But the underlying but important issue is Does believing that God predestines people to hell (in the way Piper and other Calvinists believe it) actually require doubting God’s goodness? That is—logically?... Read more

A Statement of Faith (Doctrines) I wrote this one for a Baptist seminary that did not already have a statement of faith. A Statement of the Common Faith of a Baptist Theological Seminary This statement of faith reflects the consensus of the faculty and administration of  this Baptist Seminary; it is not a creed or instrument of doctrinal accountability but an expression of general doctrinal agreement. Jesus Christ We believe that Jesus Christ is God, Savior and Lord of all... Read more

Is There a Doctrine in the House? Thesis: contemporary American Christianity has by-and-large let go of doctrines. Some churches have no doctrines. Some have doctrines but they serve as little more than historical relics or heirlooms that rarely get any attention. Many churches have decided, officially or unofficially, to make doctrines optional. Some even ridicule doctrines. How often have I heard “Doctrines divide; Jesus unites?” Often. My response is: “No, doctrines unite; Jesus divides.” I decided to teach Christian theology... Read more

Pay Attention to All that Trump Has Said and Done! Consider this an addendum to my previous blog post about former President Donald Trump’s statements that if elected again he will “fix it” so that his followers never have to vote again. I read the responses and here is my response to those who disagreed with my interpretation and warning: I believe you are not paying attention to all the pieces of the puzzle (to use a metaphor for all... Read more

If This Doesn’t Do It…Nothing Will Some time ago, fairly recently, I asked here what it would take for Trump supporters to stop supporting him (for president of US again). I received a variety of answers. Now, and I know this because I saw it and heard it on ABC News (from the horse’s mouth so to speak). Donald Trump has stated publicly, and without any hint of joking, that IF he is elected president again people will not have... Read more

Us For Them: Chapter 9: Twenty-Six Names Now we come to the final chapter of what most people here agree is an excellent book by Austin Fischer, my friend and former student, pastor of The Vista Church in Temple, Texas. I think it’s important to realize that Austin has been and is talking to Christians, the Body of Christ, the church. He makes his final appeal for friendship over ideological warfare. “Embracing others as family sounds nice but is hell... Read more

“Christianish” Repeatedly I have been challenged when I have dared to say that I don’t think a church or minister or teacher is truly, authentically Christian. And my challengers are sometimes right. The decision is not always a “black or white” one. So I have coined a new word—“Christianish.” What does it mean? It means, to me, neither fully, authentically Christian (orthodox) nor neither fully, authentically non-Christian. It’s what academics call a “liminal” category. Of course, you will want examples.... Read more

Bad Faith? I recently watched a documentary entitled Bad Faith (2024, Prime Video streaming service, $1.99 rent). It is about Christian Nationalism in America. I didn’t learn anything new. I’ve tracked the movement back to its roots in the so-called Religious Right/Moral Majority movements in the late 1970s through the 1980s and up to now. I know one of the commentators in the documentary, Randall Balmer. He has written some excellent books about American religion and politics. The gist of... Read more

Us for Them: Chapter 8: Wendell Berry Would Like a Word The subtitle of this chapter is An Imaginary but Real Conversation Between an Old, White Farmer and a Young, Progressive Pastor on Trump, Whiteness, Friendship, Exaggeration, Anger, and the Unsettling of America. If you are not reading this book with us, or missed this chapter, you are really missing out on something. Austin is a big fan of Wendell Barry. He ends this chapter with this paragraph: “Thinking, talking,... Read more