A Weblog Dedicated to the Discussion of the Christian Faith and 21st Century Life

A Weblog Dedicated to the Discussion of the Christian Faith and 21st Century Life
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I do not seek to understand that I may believe, but I believe in order to understand. For this also I believe, –that unless I believed, I should not understand.-- St. Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109)

Monday, March 18, 2024

Plain Truth for Plain People: The Folk Theology of John Wesley (Introduction)


John Wesley, the founder of Methodism was first and foremost a preacher. It is estimated that he preached over 40,000 sermons in his approximately 60 year career.

For two centuries, Wesley's published sermons have been an important source of theological reflection for all Methodists, in particular his 44 standard sermons that he published between 1746 and 1760. These sermons are considered to be "canonical" for understanding Wesleyan theology. In the standard sermons, Wesley provided the center of his doctrinal teaching. All the sermons after that were considered to be supplementary.(1)

Friday, March 01, 2024

Ecclesiastical Fraud and Tribalistic Idolatry


The one thing that excites me the most about interacting with Christians from all over the world is that it reminds me that the church is truly a global community that transcends all national identities. In worship and conversation with sisters and brothers in Christ in various places, I experience a glimpse of Revelation 7:9-12:

Thursday, February 15, 2024

The Asbury Revival One Year Later: A Divine Visitation or Fake Feelingrama?


It's been one year since the "Asbury Revival." It was a two week experience of continual worship on the campus of Asbury University. Some were skeptical right from the beginning suggesting it was fake. Now, Samuel Sey, after making phone calls to local churches in the Wilmore, KY area, and based on his own experience has concluded that since the fruit of the revival has not resulted in growth of the local churches, the revival was indeed fake (his word). He writes about it here.

Please read the article and give the writer the hearing he deserves; but I have some thoughts to offer.

Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Calmly Considered: Why Ukraine Matters

On this episode of "Calmly Considered," Michael and Allan discuss the continuing saga of Ukraine and why it matters to the United States and the rest of the world.

Podcast


YouTube

Thursday, February 08, 2024

Equipping Pastors in Cuba


I am pleased to have been interviewed along with traveling companion, Karen Reaume on our recent trip to Cuba.

Thursday, January 25, 2024

The Wesleyan Way: Our Holiness Heritage


On this episode of "The Wesleyan Way," we interview Rev. Craig L. Adams, retired United Methodist pastor who is the keeper of the Wesleyan Holiness Heritage Facebook group. Craig discusses the holiness roots and heritage of United Methodism.

Podcast:


YouTube

Friday, January 05, 2024

Monday, December 18, 2023

Today Is Charles Wesley's Birthday!


He and his brother John founded the Methodist movement. He is the author of over 5000 hymns. Charles was born on this day 316 years ago in 1707. In his honor, I share with you one of my favorite hymns.

Wednesday, December 06, 2023

Did Jolly Old St. Nicholas Punch Another Bishop in the Face?


NOTE: When this post was written, it incorrectly stated that Arius was a bishop. He was a presbyter.

December 6th is the Feast of St. Nicholas of Myra (270-343) who has come to us through the centuries as Santa Claus. At this time of year, the theological geeks among us post memes on social media reminding us that there is a tale that Bishop Nicholas irritated with Bishop Arius' heretical pronouncements about the person of Jesus slapped Arius across the face in disgust at the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. Since theologians tend to live quiet lives of tedium, attending conferences that typically do not lead to violence and other such drama, perhaps it is comforting to think every now and then we can encounter something other than yawns and the need for a coffee break.

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Word Revisited: The Apostle Paul-- Follower of Jesus or Founder of Christianity?


On this episode of "Word Revisited," I chat with Dr. Michael J. Gorman, the Raymond E. Brown Professor of Biblical Studies and Theology at St. Mary's Seminary and University, Baltimore, Maryland. He is the author of numerous books and specializes on the theology and letters of the Apostle Paul. 

Michael's Amazon author page is ⁠here⁠.


Sunday, November 12, 2023

Is There a Rapture in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18?


In this post, I appeal to N.T. Wright, a prominent New Testament scholar and theologian. Regarding 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, which is often associated with the concept of the "rapture" in some Christian traditions, Wright offers a different interpretation from the popular dispensationalist understanding of the rapture.