When Etta James had her way with me

Jan
23
2012

etta-james

The year was 1984. My wife Catherine and I were living in Lancaster, CA, a small, blazingly hot town on the western edge of the Mojave Desert, where she and I had moved to help care for her sick mother. Here’s pretty much exactly how I will always remember Lancaster—especially since this is right where [...]

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New Anti-Gay Presbyterian Denomination: Cowardly Lions

Jan
20
2012

cowardlylion

As you may know, this past summer the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) decided to allow the ordination of gay clergy. Yesterday, a new Presbyterian denomination was born: the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians—or, for short, ECO (as opposed to echo, which is a hollow, after-the-fact, ever-diminishing noise).

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God, Tim Tebow, and the Ultimate Reality Show

Jan
18
2012

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A few nights ago I got in this letter about Tim Tebow: This year, many Christians I know have been thrilled by Tim Tebow and his well-publicized Christianity. I don’t have any problem with that. However, some of them have taken it a step further, and implied or stated that God is looking favorably upon [...]

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“Being gay is a sin. I spread love to the world.”

Jan
17
2012

506814_tux

In the comments section to my recent post, An Open Letter From Christians to Gay People, a guy showed up using the screen name “The Word.”. Here is most of what “The Word.” wrote:

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“Come and See,” a sermon by Pastor Bob

Jan
15
2012

“If you have wondered if there really can be meaning to this life, come and see. If you ache with a pain that soaks up any good feelings, come and see. If you are deliriously happy, content, and full beyond compare, come and see.”

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All in all, we’re just another brick in the wall

Jan
13
2012

TWC-120x120Opaque

About a year ago, under the title Toward a Christianity of Common Sense, I published a 16-point articulation of a Christian theology that, to me, makes sense. I only (if carefully, with input on it from the best pastors, theologians, and Christian layperson I know) wrote it because I couldn’t find anything like it. The [...]

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Posts by Theme

Christian Issues

Evangelicals and Muslims: Both Love Jesus

Aug
18
2010

muslims_believe_in_jesus

Today at lunch I asked Pastor Bob, “If you could say any one thing about Islam or Muslims to American Christians, or to Americans generally, what would it be?” As he started talking, I started taking notes. This is what he said.

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Relationships

When Your Heart Leaves Home

Aug
27
2011

panddaughter

The reflections of a good man upon the occasion of his daughter leaving home for college.

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Christian Spirituality

What Jesus Left Out of The Great Commandment

Oct
31
2011

1343788_radio_antenna

“Why would Jesus leave something important out of the Great Commandment? I believe it was so that we could discover that thing for ourselves.”

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Humor

Why Aren’t Fundamentalists Telepathic Comedians?

Feb
28
2011

mindboy

I knew I’d end up in hell! There’s such a dangblangit fine line between “Funny!” and “Meet Snikky and Snarky, the two fanged minions who throughout eternity will be jabbing at you with searing tridents. Have fun, funny boy!”

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Pastor Bob's Corner

A Primer on Islam: The Basics (Lesson 1 of 6)

Sep
30
2011

pastorbob1

Hi. I’m Pastor Bob. This is the first lesson of a multi-week class on Islam I taught for a large gathering of folks from multiple congregations: Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists, Catholics, recovering agnostics, etc.

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Personal

My Five Reasons For Not Having Children

Nov
20
2009

world

When young my wife and I decided not to have children. Here’s why.

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