Yesterday, the Anxious Bench offered up a fascinating post by Hilde Løvdal Stephens, who teaches English at the University of Southeastern Norway. She is doing some groundbreaking research on transatlantic evangelicalism in the decades after World War II -- the era of Billy Graham crusades and Cold War fears. More specifically, she writes about the … Continue reading New Research on Transatlantic Evangelicalism in the Age of Billy Graham
Evangelicalism
Pastors and Politics
When I talk with pastors, I usually go away reminded of how difficult it must be to navigate their role in these divided times. I know some pastors who blend political activism with their church ministry in ways that I find admirable and are consistent with my own leanings. And I know others who attempt … Continue reading Pastors and Politics
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
David Cramer brings “Anabaptist Revisions” to the Patheos Blogosphere
I can't think of a better person to blog about Anabaptist issues than David Cramer. I first got to know David when we worked together on editing a collection of essays about the complicated historical and theological intersection of Anabaptists and evangelicals (The Activist Impulse, 2014). Since that time, David has gone on to earn … Continue reading David Cramer brings “Anabaptist Revisions” to the Patheos Blogosphere
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
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
Does activist worship inspire “Fox Evangelicals?”
I don’t really know what’s going on in the minds of evangelicals when they sing along with worship songs. Its likely some are just thinking about lunch, the color of the carpet, the worship leader’s mannerisms, or wondering when that guy up front started doing the hand-raising thing. For many, though, worship songs no doubt … Continue reading Does activist worship inspire “Fox Evangelicals?”
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
My Ongoing Sojourn with those Radical Moravians
Even though Moravians comprise part of the tagline of this blog, they haven't received much attention recently! I hope to remedy that a bit through this week's post. I have been sojourning with the Moravians for over a decade now. This is not say that I'm a card-carrying member of a Moravian congregation, though I … Continue reading My Ongoing Sojourn with those Radical Moravians
Aging Christian Rockers and Sound Tracks for Court Evangelicals
I grew up listening to Petra. If you didn't attend a church steeped in white evangelicalism's "youth group" sub-culture of the 1980s like I did, I don't expect you to know of this rock band. They started in the 1970s with a sound akin to Kansas or Styx blended with synth melodies and heavy guitar … Continue reading Aging Christian Rockers and Sound Tracks for Court Evangelicals
The Hermeneutic Circle 