A Missional Method for Constructive Theology (Part 1) Constructive theology inevitably involves a method. Even theologians like Jürgen Moltmann, who said of his own method, “The road emerged only as I walked it,” operate with an “implicit method.”[1. Jürgen Moltmann, Experiences in Theology: Ways and Forms of Christian Theology, trans. Margaret Kohl (Minneapolis: Fortress, 2000),Continue reading “A Missional Method?”
Author Archives: Greg
Death Throes of Christendom
Right, right—we’re already in “postChristendom.” In the same sense that we’re already in postmodernity, sure. The institutions of Christendom and modernity have hardly evaporated. They’re just in obvious transition. And by transition I mean death. Gasping, grasping, clinging-to-life death. The ugliest part of Christendom’s demise is the institutional Western church’s denial as it tries diagnose its death throesContinue reading “Death Throes of Christendom”
On Satire
satire noun • sat·ire • ˈsa-ˌtī(-ə)r 1 : a literary work holding up human vices and follies to ridicule or scorn 2: trenchant wit, irony, or sarcasm used to expose and discredit vice or folly Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History podcast, “The Satire Paradox,” is my jumping-off point. It’s fascinating—have a listen. I’m a member of the defunct Colbert Nation.Continue reading “On Satire”
On Practicing Theological Interpretation in Churches of Christ
I began a sermon a few Sundays ago with the Apostles’ Creed. Well, with Rich Mullins’s rendition anyway. I’ve been in a cappella Churches of Christ worship services for close to every Sunday of my life (if I count the churches we planted in Peru, which perhaps I shouldn’t). I’ve been in rural and urban churches, large andContinue reading “On Practicing Theological Interpretation in Churches of Christ”
Christian Scholars’ Conference 2016
I’m looking forward to attending CSC this year. Along with the other board members of the Missio Dei Foundation (those who, among other things, oversee missiodeijournal.com), I’ve had the privilege of organizing a number of sessions. I’m thankful that missiology will be represented among the pursuits of Stone-Campbell Movement scholars. I also get to present aContinue reading “Christian Scholars’ Conference 2016”
On the Incarnation (Part 2)
(Material from adult Bible class at Hollywood Church of Christ) God the Refugee A Darker Christmas Drama Luke’s birth narrative has its overtones of uncertainty and fear in the midst of weakness and poverty, but it pivots on the promise of blessing and the declaration of great joy. Matthew’s story, however, is colored with a sombre and ominousContinue reading “On the Incarnation (Part 2)”
On the Incarnation (Part 1)
(Material from adult Bible class at Hollywood Church of Christ) The Great Reversal Promises Pending Advent is about the wait—rehearsing Israel’s wait for the Deliverer in order to renew our hearts as we continue to wait for the second coming of our Deliverer. So it’s strangely difficult to start at the beginning of the Gospels with aContinue reading “On the Incarnation (Part 1)”
A Refugee Is Born Unto You
In preparation for Christmas, and in light of the world’s greatest refugee crisis in my lifetime, our family has been reading these words as we pray each night for those who flee before violence and seek refuge among foreign people: Do not do bad things to foreigners living in your country. You must treat them theContinue reading “A Refugee Is Born Unto You”
Relentless Now (Global Missions Experience Address)
This is the text of my address at the Global Missions Experience, hosted by Harding University at Camp Tahkodah, Sept. 17-20, 2015. The theme for the experience was “Relentless.” We reflected on God’s own relentlessness, serving and pursuing him relentlessly, the relentless cry of the world, and the relentless advance of the kingdom. My contribution wasContinue reading “Relentless Now (Global Missions Experience Address)”
On Cultural Intelligence
I’m a fan of David Livermore’s work on cultural intelligence. His book Serving with Eyes Wide Open: Doing Short-Term Missions with Cultural Intelligence would be at the top of my recommended reading for those who insist on engaging in STM. It is highly readable and equally insightful for those thinking for the first time about STM’s difficultiesContinue reading “On Cultural Intelligence”
Scripture & Mission 