Open and Relational Biblical Issues
Chad Bahl and I contributed a chapter to a massive handbook on postconservative interpretation. The book is aimed at college students, and our task was to sketch out an open and relational vision. Here’s what we wrote… Click for Book Info Open and Relational Hermeneutics Open and Relational […]
Tripp Fuller’s Open and Relational Christology
Tripp Fuller’s book Divine Self-Investment: an Open and Relational Constructive Christology makes an important contribution to understanding Jesus of Nazareth. In this essay, I summarize Fuller’s book. I show how he affirms Jesus as a special expression of divine self-investment. As one who joins […]
When Jesus Fails
Many Christians believe Jesus never fails. But that’s not what scripture says. Our acknowledging that Jesus sometimes failed can help us make sense of life and live more abundantly. Jesus Cannot Heal All One my favorite examples (among others) of Jesus failing is his attempt to do miracles in his […]
My Response to Christianity Today Review
I thank Derek Rishmawy for his Christianity Today review of my new book, The Uncontrolling Love of God. I offer this response as a way to clarify and note differences between Derek’s views and my own. Derek begins his review (click here) with a concise summary of the general drift of my book. This […]
Mary Cooperates with Uncontrolling Love
“Be it unto me,” says Mary, the mother of Jesus. She speaks in response to the Spirit’s plans for a special incarnation. And in her consent, Mary becomes a powerful example of what it means to cooperate with God’s uncontrolling love. Biblical Support for Essential Kenosis Many people are saying they […]
For God so Loved the World (not just humans)
The way we interpret the Bible makes a difference. I’ve been reflecting on my past biblical interpretation in light of environmental concerns and animal care. One of the best loved verses of Scripture — and one many Christians memorized at an early age — is John 3:16. Here is the version I learned […]
The Love of Jesus
Jesus Christ is rightly regarded as the most important person for helping us understand love. Especially at this time of year, it seems wise to ponder the love of Jesus.
Jesus Christ as Good News
Writing a short chapter that argues Jesus Christ answers or solves the problems of life proves difficult. Very difficult!
The Problem with Words: Deconstruction
Today we talk about the move from modernism to postmodernism as a paradigm shift. The move entails fundamental changes in our core assumptions about existence.
Is Jesus the Way?
More Christians than ever are befriending advocates of other religious traditions. And many more Christians are learning about the beliefs in other religions. In light of this, Christians must reaffirm and clarify their claims about salvation.