Infallible and Inerrant - Exploring Hermeneutics of the Bible
What do we mean when, as Christians, we use the words "infallible, inerrant, inspired" to characterize the Bible? Have we reflected not only on what these words actually mean, but the implications to each of them on the teachings within Scripture? If we were, would we not find ourselves forced to embrace teachings like those within theonomy or reconstructionism? For those not familiar with these teachings, (becoming increasingly well established within the American Christian fundamentalist church) they advocate returning America fully to Old Testament law - stoning for rebellious children, holy war and all else.Salvation: Universally Offered but Individually Refused?
We may then rightly ask what purpose all that we know as creation - time, the universe, humanity's need to experience death and intense suffering - what could all of this serve? My answer: have you ever been forgiven? Have you ever known the soul crushing guilt of having wronged another? Have you experienced forgiveness for this wrong? What if the story of humanity is but an object lesson in God's sovereignty and the ultimate revelation of His love - something forgiveness articulates with a power all its own? If He created out of an act of pure love, can we assume His ultimate plan ends in pure love?Is Fundamentalism the Enemy of God?
People who attempt to bridge the gap between scientific rationalism and religious spiritualism often times find themselves without many friends but with many enemies. One of the most sure fire ways of predicting the prevalence and veracity of violent fundamentalism is those times in history when modernity is advancing into areas of cosmology, human origins, medicine or physics that seem to deny conventional Christian orthodoxy. Rather than learn from this, Christianity seems content to replay this dynamic over and over as history progresses. I find this interesting because it seems to me that given time, greater spiritual truth always comes out as science advances. Today's Christianity does not recoil against modern medicine - but such advances came after medicine broke through archaic Christian prejudices about medicine in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Christianity can not broadly claim that its institutions have understood where to be discriminating in the use of science. Such a statement should be damning to us.What Do Our Responses to the Iraqi Prisoner Abuse Scandal Say About Us?
If, as a Christian, you have found yourself explaining away or rationalizing these actions I seriously urge you to investigate your own heart - somewhere you have gone badly wrong in your understanding of Christian ethics. Let me explain my use of the term "rationalizing": in this context it means any one of a number of sentence combinations that subtly introduce "but" between your condemnation of the actions and your justification for why it is not as bad as some are making it out to be. Too many evils in this world can be justified when moral causality is assigned to immoral actions. We would do well to refuse to partake in any discussions that do anything but seek to make this wrong right.An Atheist’s Life of Faith
Does atheism offer a philosophical equivalent to a Christian's life of faith? This essay, a review of the rationalist thinker Bertrand Russell's seminal book Why I Am Not A Christian suggests that Russell lived his own life of faith, in part based on difficulties he rightly saw in Christianity.May 2004 Bookshelf
May's list of books read covers familiar material (the abuse of power by American political institutions, religious philosophy and foreign affairs) along with several books on higher criticism of the Bible, questions about the Canaanite genocide, and commentary on the role of fundamentalism in contemporary culture.Stealing Jesus: How Fundamentalism Betrays Christianity
Do movies like "The Passion" bring you to tears over the sacrifice Christ made? Do you wonder if what He stood for is represented by today's Christianity? If you share these questions with me, Bruce Bawer's book "Stealing Jesus" is worth reviewing.Reflections on the Iraqi War
Regardless of what your perspective is on the war in Iraq, it is one of the divisive issues not only in America but in the entire world. The opponents of this war are not limited to our shores - we see strong resistance to the invasion of Iraq in countries around the world. What has made this war so opposed? Is it, as some have suggested, opposed because some countries no longer understand that good must combat evil? Are those against the war against it because they believe pacification is always a better option than war - not believing any war can or should be justified? Can we make the case that those against the war are simply immoral and weak, contrasted to those who support the war who are thus moral and strong?About MysteriousFaith
“If anyone can show me, and prove to me, that I am wrong in thought or deed, I will gladly change. I seek the truth, which never yet hurt anybody. It is only persistence in self-delusion and ignorance which does harm.”
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