Giving a Basic Level Introduction to Evangelical Calvinism
The following is a post I wrote over ten years ago, for another blog of mine (back then), in an attempt to help people, at a very basic level, understand how Evangelical Calvinism (Athanasian Reformed theology) is distinct from classical Calvinism and Arminianism (and any other sub-set developments under that). It is very simply stated, but hopefully this will help some understand what the project of Evangelical Calvinism entails in more straightforward ways. The way, when in person with someone, that I have tried to describe what Evangelical Calvinism is, is to contrast it with what most people think of Calvinism…
A Conversation with Rev. Alejandro Mejia: In Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month
The following is cross-posted from Living Lutheran. You can find the original post here. Para celebrar el Mes de la Herencia Hispana, del 15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre estamos hablando con luteranos de ascendencia latiné para amplificar las voces de nuestros hermanos en Cristo. Hoy estamos hablando con Rev. Alejandro Mejía, director de la misión evangélica del Sínodo de Delaware-Maryland. Las respuestas han sido editadas para su publicación. ¿Cómo está usted conectado a la ELCA? Nací y crecí en Colombia, América del Sur. Mi familia siempre ha pertenecido a la iglesia luterana. Recuerdo estar presente en conversaciones en…
For What Shall We Pray?
“For What Shall We Pray?” is a weekly post inviting individuals, groups, and congregations to lift up our world in prayer. This resource is prepared by a variety of leaders in the ELCA and includes prayer prompts, upcoming events and observances, and prayer suggestions from existing denominational worship materials. You are encouraged to use these resources as a starting point, and to adapt and add other concerns from your local context. More information about this resource can be found here. Prayer prompts: For those in the path of Tropical Storm Ophelia… For victims of the wedding party fire in…
The Church as Triune Event and not Religious Phenomena
The Church. The Church’s reality is invisible, and only visible to those with eyes to see; with eyes offered by the faith of Christ. The Church doesn’t have a physical address, per se; it can’t be found at 777 Vatican Way or something. The Church’s only physical address is found in the ground of the vicarious humanity of Jesus Christ; but we currently see Him, not with eyes of flesh, but with eyes of faith (just as sure as we love Him, even though we don’t currently “see” Him). The Church is not a result of so-called religious phenomena, but…
Volunteering in the Bayou— volunteer applications extended
The deadline for Gathering Volunteer Corps (GVC) applications has been extended to November 1. The Gathering Volunteer Corps serves in multiple capacities throughout the Gathering. Duties might include ushering and assisting during Mass Gathering, helping with Interactive Learning activities, directing foot traffic in the convention center, staffing the info booth or moving equipment in a Gathering venue. GVCs serve wherever Gathering planning teams have identified the need for additional help. GVCs must be at least one year past high school at the time of the Gathering and commit to being in New Orleans for one week, likely arriving Sunday, July…
September 24, 2023–What is Fair?
Heather Hansen Warm-up Question When have you been a part of a decision that seemed unfair? How did that feel? What made it seem unfair? Bonus Warm-up Activity–Come prepared with enough prizes (like a candy bar or treat of some kind that everyone would like) to give to each person in the group. Ask for volunteers (to equal about ¼ of the group) to do 10 minutes of jumping jacks and tell them that you will give them a prize for finishing that is worthy of their time and activity. Allow them to jump for 3 minutes then recruit the…
Calvin and the Conciliar Tradition against the Confessionally Reformed
The following is a post I wrote in 2012. I am simply reiterating the party-line among those who occupy the chairs within the confessionally Reformed world; i.e., that Calvin, along with the whole catholic tradition belongs to them. That they represent the most valid and definitive Protestant reception of the catholic tradition, and that Calvin simply stands among them. Thus, the great revision of Reformed development goes. Here Muller confirms what I have been asserting all the while; that he sees an organic thread between Calvin and the “orthodox, Calvinists.” He writes: In the early years of the Reformation emphasis…
New Data Show Trends, Challenge Old Wisdom
Knowing the numbers for hunger and poverty can go a long way to helping us talk about the issues accurately and craft effective, forward-looking responses. For those who share with their congregation information about hunger and poverty, these numbers can also be helpful in putting together presentations or workshops. There are several sources for data that are particularly reliable and useful[1]: The World Bank’s poverty report; The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ (FAO) annual “State of Food Security” report; The US Census Bureau’s annual reports on poverty and income; and The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) annual…
National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools
The following message is shared on behalf of Vance Blackfox (Cherokee), Interim Senior Director, Ministries of Diverse Cultures and Communities. During September, we remember the survivors and descendants of U.S. Indian Boarding Schools. On Saturday, Sept. 30, we observe the National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools. You can participate by wearing an orange shirt and posting a photo of yourself or members of your congregation or community on social media. Use the hashtags #ELCA #TruthAndHealing and #DayOfRememberance. If you would like to support the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS), you can purchase an orange shirt with their logo. However, any…
Karl Barth and Thomas Torrance, The Modern Versions of Duns Scotus and William of Ockham?
When engaging the theologians, it is an important exercise to broaden out the frame, every now and then, in order to get a greater, even critical understanding of just who we might be engaging with. This holds true for any of the theologians, including Karl Barth and Thomas Torrance (the two modern theologians who, of course, have had the greatest purchase in my life over the last, almost, two decades). In an effort to expand the scope on the way we might respectively approach Barth and Torrance, I wanted to offer some words from ecclesial intellectual historian, the late, Steven…