Category Archives: Philosophy
Losing Our Religion
Recently a pastor in my denomination (The CRCNA) announced that he is leaving the denomination because he ‘has doubts’ about the doctrinal positions that he is supposed to defend and teach. He indicated that he is pursuing a ministry position in the United Church of Canada.
He is not leaving because he is no longer a Christian.
He is not leaving because he is done with the ministry.
He is not leaving because he no longer is interested in following Christ.
He is not leaving because he no longer is interested in preaching and teaching.
He is leaving because we’ve created a culture in which. . . Continue reading
Filed under Theology, Readings, Culture, Relationships, The Text, Philosophy, Practices
Of Paths and Prairies, Gods and Tears
The story begins as the European pioneers crossed the Alleghenies and started to settle the Midwest. The land they found was covered with forests. With great effort they pulled up the trees, pulled up the stumps, and planted their crops in the rich, loamy soil.
When they finally reached the western edge of the place we now call Indiana, the forest stopped and ahead lay a thousand miles of the great grass prairie. The Europeans were puzzled by this new environment. Some even called it the Great Desert. It seemed untillable.
In 1837, a blacksmith in the town of Grand Detour, Illinois, invented a new tool. His name was John Deere, and the tool was a plow made of steel… Continue reading
Filed under Politics, Theology, Readings, Travels, Culture, Relationships, Economy, Philosophy, Books, Practices
Master and Apprentice
On Sunday at Watershed we looked at John 5:19-20 and saw it as a ‘parable of apprenticeship.’ (Wes Howard-Brook)
Jesus watching the Father to see how he acts, and to act likewise in the world.
We noted that throughout history, fathers have taught their sons a particular trade.
NT Wright notes:
“This is becoming more rare today in the Western world, but there are still plenty of places where it is the normal and expected thing for sons to follow fathers into the family business. And, particularly where the business involves working at a skilled trade with one’s hands, apprenticeship means literally being side by side, with the son watching every move that the father makes and learning to do it in exactly the same way. Continue reading
Filed under Culture, Philosophy, Practices, Readings, Relationships, The Text, Theology, Travels, Worship
Pub Theology Topics April 12
good group at the ol’ pub last night.
Here were the topics:
1. What is your favorite day of the week?
2. How do you nourish yourself spiritually?
What is a spiritual experience?
3. What does the church look like at its best?
At its worst? Continue reading
Filed under Beer, Philosophy, Pub Theology
Up There
There’s been a lot of talk lately at the pub and in the press about faith and belief. An apocryphal story has been told that says something very profound about the nature of belief in our society.
The story is told of Yuri Gagarin, the first Russian Cosmonaut and the first person to have gone into orbit and in outer space. When he came back to the earth, there was a reception for him in the Kremlin… Continue reading
Filed under Culture, Philosophy, Politics, Pub Theology, Theology
No Interpretation Needed?
Are you skeptical about biblical interpretation? Does it seem that someone can just “make it say anything?” Are you one of those who would prefer to just “read it for what it says”?
You’re not alone. Many are intimidated by the vast amount of study some seem to think reading the Bible requires. Can’t I just take the “plain sense” of a text and arrive at what God is trying to say to me? Continue reading
Filed under Philosophy, Pub Theology, The Text, Theology
Is God a Person?
Guest post by Richard Rohr:
To get a proper divine conversation started and going, we all have to think of God as a “person” somehow. Otherwise there is no reciprocity, mutuality, give and take, no ONE to love, no “I and Thou”. Humans only know how to relate to other persons initially. But if you stay there too long, you pay a big price… Continue reading
Filed under Philosophy, Relationships, Theology
Pub Theology Recap January 5
Great night at the pub last night. Nine of us grabbed a pint and settled in for a good discussion, huddled around the table as if seeking respite from the snow drifts just outside.
A. showed up, who promptly styled himself ‘kinda the local guru.’ Then quickly thought better of it and shifted to ‘kinda the local guy.’ He’d been reading up on the history of Islam and… Continue reading
Filed under Philosophy, Pub Theology, Relationships, Theology
On a Child-Like Faith
When I was little, there were many magical moments. One such moment happened when I entered the living room and found presents under the Christmas tree. Call it Santa Claus, Kris Kringle, or whatever you want – but it was mysterious, and I was in. Continue reading
Filed under Philosophy, Relationships, The Text, Theology
Pub Theology Recap May 19
An interesting night last week. If I remember right, I can’t remember what we discussed. So no recap, just the sheets:
Topics:
1. ‘The meal table is the birthplace of culture.’
How are we shaped by our eating practices?
2. “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”
What do you think? Continue reading
Filed under Philosophy, Pub Theology, The Text, Theology
