Last week I offered some reflections and book recommendations on the issue of race. In other corners, a new book about race and the church was getting attention -- Jemar Tisby's volume, The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church's Complicity in Racism. I haven't gotten my copy of this yet, but according … Continue reading Reckoning with Racism and the Church: Reformed and Anabaptist Voices
History
In Honor of MLK: Reflections on Lessons Learned
I sometimes heard, as I was growing up, a common expression about bartering. If you wanted a lower price at a flea market or garage sale, you'd go to the seller and "chew them down." You know -- the metaphor about verbally bartering back and forth with them as if you were chewing on the … Continue reading In Honor of MLK: Reflections on Lessons Learned
Is your professor really the flaming liberal you think she is?
That colleges and universities are bastions of liberalism is a common assertion and among conservatives, there is considerable resentment about this. But is it true? Over at History News Network, Richard Morris, historian at Lycoming College (emeritus), has recently written a piece in which he consider this question as it relates to faculty members. He argues that … Continue reading Is your professor really the flaming liberal you think she is?
Gendered Messaging in the Evangelical Purity Movement: My guest post at the Anxious Bench
I've been a fan of the Anxious Bench for years so I'm excited to have this piece picked up by the editors there. The topic is outside the usual cluster of themes I write about here and I may be overextending myself. But consider it a conversation starter if nothing else. Basically, I use my … Continue reading Gendered Messaging in the Evangelical Purity Movement: My guest post at the Anxious Bench
Evangelicals, Anabaptists, Depression, and Christian Rock: The Hermeneutic Circle’s Top Ten posts of 2018
This past July I dusted off the Hermeneutic Circle and vowed to get back into blogging -- at least once a week. So how did I do? Well, things certainly dwindled off here at the end of the year. So I guess I know what my New Year's resolution will be! But even with the … Continue reading Evangelicals, Anabaptists, Depression, and Christian Rock: The Hermeneutic Circle’s Top Ten posts of 2018
An obscure book about Greenland and Missions Historiography
I doubt you’ve heard of David Cranz’s two volume History of Greenland, first published in German in 1765. But its obscurity may be masking its significant for understanding early 19th century interest in Protestant missions. Cranz was an important Moravian historian who traveled to Greenland to chronicle the story of the Moravian mission, which had … Continue reading An obscure book about Greenland and Missions Historiography
The Top Ten reasons I keep coming back to Bethlehem (PA)
I was privileged to attend gatherings of two of my favorite groups recently. The biennial meeting of the Conference on Faith and History (CFH) met in Grand Rapids last weekend. I became involved in CFH while in grad school and it has served as a tremendous encouragement over the years. The meeting this year was … Continue reading The Top Ten reasons I keep coming back to Bethlehem (PA)
John Fea was on the verge of a sermon at Valparaiso University last night
Last night John Fea's Believe Me book tour stopped by Valparaiso University in northern Indiana and I made the trek, along with Grace student, Brennan Murray, from Warsaw/Winona Lake to take in the event. It was a smallish gathering of folks in an intimate recital hall. The program was structured as a Charlie Rose style … Continue reading John Fea was on the verge of a sermon at Valparaiso University last night
Teaching about Mary Baker Eddy through the lens of the The Matrix
Next year the 1999 film The Matrix turns twenty. As I told my students on Friday, it ranks as one of my all-time favorite films. Since its release, much has been written about its intellectual and creative genius, its supposed hidden meanings, and its pioneering "bullet time" special effects. But beyond all this, for me … Continue reading Teaching about Mary Baker Eddy through the lens of the The Matrix
What’s in a Name? Branding and Outsider Church Traditions
Last month I had the privilege of helping to organize the Sixth Brethren World Assembly, which was held in Winona Lake, IN. This is a conference that seeks to bring together the seven largest denominations that have ties to the 18th century German Pietist group known as the New Anabaptists (Neue Täufer), which was founded … Continue reading What’s in a Name? Branding and Outsider Church Traditions
The Hermeneutic Circle 