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Since this “dissertation” and PhD by Publication isn’t going to see the light of day now, I thought I would share the introduction chapter that I presented for said dissertation. Part of it includes my contribution to the introduction to our second volume Evangelical Calvinism book that I co-wrote with Myk Habets. The part I appropriate for that, in this current iteration (as introduction to my “dissertation”), is, of course, the part I wrote. And then, much of that has been augmented by further writing, as you will see. But I think it underscores some needed orientation, particularly as “Reformed…

These prompts are provided for worship leaders as they prepare the prayers of intercession for weekly worship. The prompts are prepared by several leaders in the ELCA and reflect current world and national events. You are encouraged to adapt and add other concerns for your local context, including staying informed of events and concerns in your synod. Intercession prompts: For the United Nations team and all those navigating the dynamics surrounding the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine… For those remembering the life of Mikhail Gorbachev, the former Soviet leader who brought the Cold War to a peaceful end.. For peaceful…

In theological circles these days there is a push to recover the so-called Great Tradition, of the type of thinking, in regard to the Trad, or also, the so-called Consensus Patrum, that we get in Vincent of Lérins. That is, a type of generalization a flattening out of a perceived consensus of the faithful that has some type of agreed upon core of the core of orthodoxy that ostensibly the majority of Christian theologians, “orthodox” ones, have affirmed and submitted to as regulative for their own respective theological offerings. Contemporaneously, we have movements by Reformed theologians, particularly Baptist ones currently,…

As Russian forces advanced on his town in Ukraine’s heavily contested Donbass region, a group of friends helped to save Igor Gusev’s life. Born with cerebral palsy, Igor has lived independently with some limited support and the companionship of a beloved black cat. His community shunned him, but for the efforts of his few friends. Igor Gusev fled Ukraine after the invasion by Russia and is now living in Poland. As bombing and violence approached his home, Igor’s friends packed him and just a bit of luggage into a car and headed west. While Igor sadly had to leave his…

Hello! The time to receive grant proposals is on the way! Thank you to those who have reached out recently to ask this very question. My answer, in short, is soon– right at about the end of September. After some more work with the Grants Management team we will send out details regarding the kind/number of proposals we will consider, and the time frame in which we will be accepting and approving them. You can come here for those details, and please know that other communication will be sent out as well. For now, you may direct questions to me…

Knowledge of God is the key, that is to the ‘secret of creation.’ If “Jesus Christ is indeed the real ground of creation,”[1] then in order to know what in fact creation is for, we must first know its Creator. But as Karl Barth underscores, in a rather Athanasian key, if Jesus is the ground of creation, and if Jesus is indeed the ‘Son of the Father,’ then to know the inner-ground, the secret of creation is first to know Jesus, to know the Son. As such, prior to knowing what and who creation is for, as the case may…

Our garden at home has finally started yielding its bounty, which means we have more tomatoes than we know what to do with and are engaged in constant battle with rabbits to preserve our harvest. Now is the season when we get to enjoy the fruits of our time spent planting and preparing the soil, with fresh bites from the garden in every meal. It’s a reminder of the growing season and of nature’s wonders. The fresh veggies making their way from my yard to my plate has had me thinking more about community gardens recently, especially with the rising…

Registration closes August 31   The Strasbourg Ecumenical Institute offers advanced training in ecumenical theology for Lutheran pastors. The next study course will be held online from October 10-14, 2022. The course will be held in English and is designed for pastors with parish experience or for students with advanced knowledge of Lutheran theology. It will cover an overview of the most important ecumenical agreements between Lutherans and other Christian communions over the past half century. In addition, students will examine the ways churches on the different continents are putting those agreements into practice in their local contexts and how…

Update on my doctoral statuses. I have backed out of the PhD I was attempting to do with Concordia Academic Theology Consortium, Intl., and Martin Luther School of Bible and Theology. I have also “unaccepted” the honorary ThD presented to me by the same institution back in January of this year. After further research into the degrees offered, and some other circumstances, I have decided that this is the best alternative. That said, the church denomination associated with this educational institution, the General Lutheran Church, is legitimate. And its Dean has nothing but good and pure intentions. The gesture made…

These prompts are provided for worship leaders as they prepare the prayers of intercession for weekly worship. The prompts are prepared by several leaders in the ELCA and reflect current world and national events. You are encouraged to adapt and add other concerns for your local context, including staying informed of events and concerns in your synod. Intercession prompts: For communities in China impacted by drought… For communities in Algeria impacted by wildfires… For victims of gun violence in Washington DC… For resolution to the ongoing war in Ukraine as we cross the six-month mark of the war, and especially…