Why I Don’t Often Read the New International Version (NIV)

The NIV isn’t the worst translation you could read. It has accessible, modern language. It tries to eliminate at least some gendered language in places where gendered language has changed with the culture, makes no sense or becomes a stumbling block while reading. Myself, I almost always use the NRSV day-to-day, so I have my… Continue reading Why I Don’t Often Read the New International Version (NIV)

“Thou,” Your Enemy

I used to be attracted to process theology, I think because it was the first philosophy that opened my eyes to an alternate theology beyond the basic American fundamentalism you so commonly read about in the socials. I also appreciated its attempts to address theodicy or the problem of suffering and evil. There certainly must… Continue reading “Thou,” Your Enemy

Surprise: Welcoming Statements Make People Feel Welcome

This won’t be a long, theologically opinionated and rambling post like most of my screeds. I just wanted to share some recent research that shows that welcoming statements and welcoming symbols on church websites make people feel more welcome. Isn’t that amazing? Naturally, LGBTQ+ people feel more welcome and affirmed in churches that are welcoming… Continue reading Surprise: Welcoming Statements Make People Feel Welcome

Inclusive Fulfilment

I don’t know why it took me so long to stumble upon the work of Paul Knitter. Knitter is a theologian who studies, practices and teaches religious pluralism. He combines Buddhism and Christianity into his personal faith practices. As someone who is perennially attracted to much of Buddhism, I’m attracted to this kind of exploration.… Continue reading Inclusive Fulfilment

Your Church is not Biblical

Recently a friend pointed out to me that a couple of disgruntled former members of our church had written Google reviews about our church saying we weren’t “Biblical.” Setting aside the facts that we read and teach on the Bible every single week and giving your former faith community an uncharitable and inaccurate review seems… Continue reading Your Church is not Biblical

Reconqui-whatnow?

So I just learned about this ultraconservative movement called Operation Reconquista. I refuse to link to them here and give them any Google love but you can look them up on your own. The theology on their site is shallow, unlettered and so inartfully expressed that I first thought it was satire or perhaps it… Continue reading Reconqui-whatnow?

Of Morality and Reason

Naturalism cannot account for what we typically think of as a ground of morality and reason. This is not an attempt to prove that God exists, nor that morality and reason are universally grounded. It is certainly not an attempt to say that atheists are immoral or unreasonable. God’s existence and creation may be true;… Continue reading Of Morality and Reason

My Personal Chaplet

I always tell people that I am “little-c Catholic.” Of course, we all are, in the sense of belonging to the body of Christ. But I also mean that while I don’t think I could ever convert to Catholicism, I have a deep respect for the history, tradition, magisterium and practices of the Catholic and… Continue reading My Personal Chaplet