Working Out My Own Salvation
In Philippians 2:5-11, the Apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, writes one of the clearest theological expressions in the New Testament when he says, In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be…
Continue readingSurprised by a Book
One of the great pleasures of my life is being surprised by a book. A friend recommended one to me and so I read it. I didn’t expect much from this thin book by an Eastern Orthodox theologian. But, as I read it, I began to realize that, despite the short chapters, it was a…
Continue readingApophatic Theology
I happened upon an article at BioLogos which directed me to an article at www.respectfulconversation.net which caused me to reflect on theology, poetry, and Children of God. By the time my brain had come in for a landing it had gone on quite a merry chase. The theme that runs through these perambulations is one…
Continue readingLoving Truth
In 1999 I worked in a genetics lab in Calgary using the latest molecular DNA techniques to diagnose genetic disorders in the families that came into our clinics and other clinics across the country. Families relied on us and used the information we generated to make decisions about their own health and the health of…
Continue readingScientist’s Psalm
This “Scientist’s Psalm” written by Walt Hearn appealed to my scientific mind, my poetic heart, and my theological spirit. I think Dr. Hearn is the kind of guy I would enjoy sitting down with for an afternoon of discussion about science, faith, and theology. Scientist’s Psalm by Walt Hearn Praise the Lord, created thing! Let…
Continue readingThe Word of the Lord Was Rare
I find the words of 1 Samuel 3 intriguing. “In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.” (1 Samuel 3:1, NIV) And, “then, the Lord called Samuel.” (1 Samuel 3:4 NIV) I want to ask all kinds of questions about this. Why was the word of the Lord…
Continue readingConscience and Spirit
My conscience is broken. But then, so is yours. They are broken because our world is broken. When you grow up in a chicken coop you believe that a pecking order is natural. When you grow up in a world where Canadians are wealthy and Haitians are poor you believe that such a distribution of…
Continue readingWomen and Church Leadership
There is much rhetoric today about men’s and women’s roles in the church. Words like patriarchal, strong complementarian, moderate complementarian, egalitarian, and feminist get used in the debates. It is certainly a lively controversy in the church. You might want to read Adrian Warnock’s blog regarding the spectrum of views on gender roles to familiarize…
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Moral Law
Lately, with two different groups of people, I have been discussing how one arrives at universal moral laws. Here is Bill Watterson‘s light-hearted look at the question. His tongue-in-cheek analysis is certainly better than several philosophers I have read. Over the years, as I have read “Calvin and Hobbes” comics, I have often noted a…
Continue readingBelonging Before We Believe
Recently, a friend of mine asked my opinion on how we live out community in the church and church organizations such as camps. He had been challenged by someone who suggested that it was inappropriate to have non-Christians at church run events such as camps and other gatherings. He wondered what I thought about the…
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