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Pastors On Evolution and Creation

A recent survey indicates that pastors are beginning to change their views on evolution and creation. And I think that’s a good thing!

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Six-Word Love Notes

The students in my university class on love summarized their thoughts on love in six words. It's an exercise I asked of them, and their responses are intriguing.

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Books I’m Reading

It has been a while since I posted a list of the books I have been reading lately. So here is an update.

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Plantinga, Divine Action, and Free Will

Alvin Plantinga is an excellent philosopher and someone I admire greatly. His new book, Where the Conflict Really Lies, offers great arguments and insights. But when it comes to the relationship between science, God’s action, and creaturely freedom, Plantinga’s proposals disappoint.

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An Alternative Doctrine of Creation: God Always Creates out of Creation in Love

In previous blog essays, I’ve offered reasons why Christians should reject the idea God creates from nothing. I’ve also hinted at an alternative doctrine of creation that embraces the positive elements of creatio ex nihilo but is not susceptible to the negative elements. It’s finally time to offer the basics of my alternative: creatio ex creation en amore (God always creates out of creation in love).

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Understandable but Not Convincing Reasons to Affirm Creatio Ex Nihilo

In previous blogs, I’ve argued that the Bible doesn’t support creation out of nothing. I’ve shown that Gnostics originally proffered this view, because they thought the world was inherently evil. And I’ve argued that the view of God’s power implied in creatio ex nihilo makes the problem of evil unsolvable. Despite all this, some people still affirm creatio ex nihilo, and they’ve got some pretty good reasons for doing so.

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An Evil World and a God Who Controls Others? - A New Doctrine of Creation 2

In my previous essay, I argued that the Bible supports the notion that God initially creates from something. It doesn't support creatio ex nihilo. Now I want to address two poor reasons some Christians have affirmed creatio ex nihilo.

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A New Doctrine of Initial Creation - 1

I’m editing a ground-breaking book of essays on initial creation. Like most of the Christian theologians writing essays for this project, I think Christians need a doctrine of initial creation other than creation from nothing (creatio ex nihilo).

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Open2013: Open Theology for the Church

As I travel the U.S. and overseas, I’m amazed at and encouraged by the large number of people I meet attracted to open theology. Perhaps more amazing is that, until now, no official conference has discussed the implications of open theology for the church!

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Lead On, O Kinky Turtle!

I grew up singing hymns of the faith. But as a kid with an active imagination and plenty of time, I liked to switch hymn lyrics in weird ways.

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Nazarenes Exploring Evolution

A large number of scholars and leaders in the Church of the Nazarene are exploring how evolution may be compatible with Christian faith. This may represent a turning point in a long history of wrestling with important issues in science and theology.

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Strong Leaders: Genes or Education?

The ongoing nature vs. nurture debate about human identity has a parallel in leadership studies. It appears in the question, “Are some people born with strong leadership skills or can good leadership be learned?”

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Books I’m Reading Now

Too many books, too little time! I’m working on several conferences and research projects, and much of my reading lately is geared toward those endeavors.

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Leadership: Being or Doing?

In light of an upcoming leadership conference I’m directing, I’ve been thinking about issues of leadership. The process is pushing me to think anew about the role and nature of leaders.

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My Calling as Professor

I am immensely thankful for my calling to serve as professor of theology. I’ve been thinking lately about what this privilege means.

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Relational Theology: A Contemporary Intro

I’m happy to announce the release of what I think is a much-needed and long-overdue book: Relational Theology: a Contemporary Introduction!

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The Bible Proves Open Theology?

I’ve been working with my graduate theological students lately on issues pertaining to open theism. A few biblical passages have played key roles in the discussion.

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Romney. Christian? Obama. Christian?

This year’s U.S. presidential race offers a great opportunity to ponder what rightly makes a person Christian. I’ve been following the recent political banter and thinking about the Christian identity of both major candidates.

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Open the Windows of the Church

Fifty years ago this month, Pope John XXIII initiated the Second Vatican Council. He said it was time to “throw open the windows of the church and let the fresh air of the spirit blow through.” It’s time to throw open the windows again!

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Books I’m Reading - Fall 2012

I began reading some great books in the spring and I’m back at them and others this fall. Here’s a list of what I’m reading right now…

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About this website

You’ve reached the online home of Thomas Jay Oord, a professor, author, and theologian from the Pacific Northwest. Read more