Spotlight Reveals Institutional Complicity
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.
No, Marco Rubio, Terrorism is Not Part of God’s Plan
“We are children of an all-powerful God,” Marco Rubio told an Iowa audience recently. “Everything that happens is a part of His plan.” I think Rubio is wrong. In his campaign speech, Rubio said he has been asked about God in light of terrorism. People wonder, “Where was God on 9/11? Where was God in […]
Did God Allow the Paris Attacks?
Most theologians would say “yes.” I say “no.” If current reports are correct, ISIS planned various attacks in Paris that killed more than 100 people and injured about 500. An attack occurred in Beirut, and other acts of terror have been committed. The death, pain, and suffering are immense. Those like me who believe in […]
Goldilocks and God’s Power
The story of Goldilocks and the three bears can help us think well about God’s power. Some theologians in Christian history have thought divine power means that God controls everything. They often use the phrase, “God is sovereign.” Paul Kjoss Helseth, a contemporary advocate of the view, calls the view “divine omnicausality,” because God alone […]
Evil is Random, Even for God
We all want to make sense of life. The stakes for Christians in the endeavor to make sense of life are as high as stakes can be. I’ve been thinking for some time about two major questions in my quest to make sense of life. The first is familiar to just about everyone, at least […]
Are Animals Made in God’s Image?
I’ve been asked to write a chapter in a book exploring what it means to be made in God’s image. The invitation provided me the opportunity to think more deeply than I have about whether we should say nonhuman animals can express the image of God (imago dei). I’m grateful to Michael Burdett, a postdoctoral […]
What Forgiveness Is
In my previous essay, I talked about what forgiveness is not. Now let me talk about what it is. As I write this, I’m aware that I can’t cover all topics related to forgiveness. And I’m aware that I speak primarily from my own experience, aided by my interpretation of the wisdom found in Scripture, […]
What Forgiveness Is Not
A series of painful events in my life have me pondering anew the meaning of forgiveness. Family and friends have also asked for help as they struggle to forgive those who hurt them. I want to share some ideas I’ve found helpful in my own efforts to forgive in the midst of pain. An impressive […]
My Response to NNU Announcements
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 […]
Ways to Think about Providence
Christians have many ways to think about how God acts in creation (providence). Each way has implications for making sense of life in light of God’s love, power, and other attributes. But some ways are better than others. In my forthcoming book, The Uncontrolling Love of God, I identify seven models of providence. Among them […]