We often consider the lone theologian our standard of theological excellence. In some ways, that’s understandable. In other ways, our standard should be different. Often overlooked are the collaborators, cooperators, and team players. Instead of standing alone, they form communities and together address issues, solve problems, and confront negativity. There’s something powerful about collaboration for […]

Social media is changing contemporary culture. And its changing scholarship in religion and philosophy. Some of the leading voices in these fields are using social media and technology in interesting ways. I recently asked more than 90 theologians, philosophers, biblical scholars, and religious leaders to write essays on social media. The result is a 460-page […]

Good books change our perspective on God, the world, or ourselves. Good books have changed my perspective in 2015.

The new movie, Spotlight, tells the ugly story of clergy sexual abuse of children. But what the movie says about institutional complicity reveals the ugly side of church leadership.

With the recent Northwest Nazarene University announcements from the Board of Trustees and the report from the team assigned to review recent layoffs, I thought it would be wise to make a statement in response. I made a video response. Click the black rectangle “Statement from Thomas Jay Oord” to access it. The text in […]

I’m excited to announce that my nature photography book, Through Both Creations Shine, is now available! This is a project many have pushed me to pursue, and it’s gratifying to see it come to fruition. I’m really happy with the result. The title of my book, Through Both Creations Shine, will puzzle most who encounter […]

It’s hard to overestimate the formative power of books! And I’ve been reading some excellent ones lately. I typically post a list of about ten books I’m reading every six months or so. But I missed my last installment. So I’m offering a double portion this time. Some of the books I have been reading […]

Amos Yong may be the most influential Pentecostal theologian alive today. If he’s not foremost, he’s at least one of the top five.

I’m on sabbatical this semester, and I’ve been particularly aware of how I’m spending my time. In fact, I’ve been reflecting a great deal on what sabbaticals are supposed to do.

The majority of great philosophers and theologians have believed in free will. Contemporary discussions of what free will is and how it might function, however, have not always been clear. In his new book, Free Will in Philosophical Theology, Kevin Timpe takes free will as his central concern to explore theological issues.