Pressing In - Theology

The Shack/Barney's message

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 21:30:47 +0000

Hi,

I wanted to discuss Barney's message in light of the book The Shack. I especially would love to hear from Anne as I know she is a fan of the book.

To me what was offensive about The Shack was not so much that God was represented by a woman, but that they called her Papa. I REALLY didn't like that mixing of genders. Also, the name of the main character - Mackenzie - is usually a female name - that bothered me too. It made me think that in the author's view - gender didn't matter. To me, gender matters very much.

Perspective on the Financial Crisis

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 17:55:27 +0000

I couldn't figure out how to put an image into this post, so I attached it as a file and here's a link to my blog to see it:

http://jorbratko.blogspot.com/

Framing Stories...

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 05:49:26 +0000

I'm curious to hear some responses to this short article by Brian McLaren: Why I'm Voting For Obama, and Why I Hope You Will Too: Reason 1.

the gift of tongues

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 21:59:05 +0000

I was recently engaged in an interesting discussion regarding the gift of tongues. It started because of a reaction I had to a live worship CD on which the lead singer could be heard singing in tongues during one of the songs. My initial reaction to hearing this was something like, "Gosh, why in the world would they not edit that out?" It seemed to distract me more than anything else. Instead of being brought more into focusing on God, I instantly found myself focused on the singer.

Who "Owns" Our National Sin?

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:10:13 +0000

[I notice we evangelicals worry a lot about the sin in our society. I've often wondered, though, whether that is a "fear reaction" (or even a pride-reaction!) rather than a God-reaction.

My cousin had another excellent article on this topic...]

Can Somebody explain why my thinking is wrong?

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 16:05:19 +0000

Ok here are some topics that I have never gotten a satisfactory answer to.
If Christ dwells in us upon the “birthing” why are prayers said by many
in the body that makes the request “Lord come be with us” ?

God's Love In Us is What Brings His Kingdom

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 14:37:28 +0000

[Some more great thoughts from my cousin John Dayalan Edward. Agree? Disagree? -- Ernie P.]

The force of influence that God has chosen to bring His kingdom to people is Love. The Love (of Christ) that is displayed through our lives, words and actions. This is what births the kingdom in people.

What God cannot do?

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 06:09:40 +0000

So here's a question for anyone who'd like to ponder with me. I've been pondering this idea for a couple of years now and it has some interesting implications but, due to the fact that I'd like to avoid any heretical beliefs, I'd love to get some feedback on it.

Essential Truths

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:01:18 +0000

In (another) "Epistle" from my cousin, he does an (IMHO) brilliant job of summarizing the foundational truths we need to build our ministry (and our theology) around.

-- Ernie P.

Why Revival Tarries, Part 2

prosperity theology

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:02:07 +0000

I saw this video, created using the audio from a John Piper sermon. In it, he addresses (very passionately) the issue of America preaching the prosperity gospel - and in particular, the affect that the prosperity gospel is having on third world nations.

The Two Realities

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 04:47:28 +0000

There are two reality’s one is the one we are born into, the other is the one we are born again into. The latter though harder to grasp, because it does not have the 3 dimensional aspects in it. However, to me it is becoming more “real” then what I see, or touch, or feel.

Practical Theology == Imago Christi

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 13:28:43 +0000

Back when I lived in Pasadena, a friend and I wandered into the bookstore at Fuller Seminary . We were impressed by the rows upon rows of theological knowledge, and stayed to browse. Suddenly, my attention was caught one small shelf labeled "practical theology". I looked at it, then I looked at the entire room full of other theological books, and asked "If that's practical theology, then is the rest of it impractical theology?"

A Calvinism Discussion

Sun, 09 Mar 2008 21:49:29 +0000

This is an email conversation between myself and Anne Delke:

Anne:
If it's possible for someone to disobey God after they are a believer, could their disobedience hurt others or just themselves? (example, if I don't listen to God telling me to call so and so, could so and so be damaged or would God help them without me?)

The Purpose of Theological Education

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 21:53:27 +0000

I've been thinking a lot about "why good theology goes bad" -- or rather, why the way we teach theology often creates more problems than it solves!

Here's a post I recently wrote to help me capture my thoughts:
The Purpose of Comprehensive Theological Education

What do the rest of you think?

Who is the Audience ?

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 07:32:42 +0000

I have been meditating about this issue for about a year
now. It started with me asking a question about some forms
and methods of doing church. The ambiance and styles
from appearance seemed to be contemporary and aimed at a