“Would to God that all the party names and unscriptural phrases and forms which have divided the Christian world were forgot, and that we might all agree to sit down together, as humble, loving disciples, at the feet of our common Master, to hear His word, to imbibe His Spirit, and to transcribe His life…

I returned yesterday from the West Ohio Annual Conference. It was good to see old friends and to make new ones, and to be about the business of holy conferencing. I know many people would say that annual conferences do not always embody the ideal of holy conferencing, but, at least in West Ohio, I…

It seems like a lot of people who have been criticizing Rob Bell for Love Wins haven’t read the book. This is not intellectually virtuous, to say the least. Regardless, I did read it recently (ok, I listened to the audio book) and I thought it was extremely interesting and helpful. What Bell articulates so…

My friend and colleague Jason Vickers was on tv yesterday discussing the impending apocalypse. You can check it out here: Dayton’s News Source :: Good Morning – Fox 45 In The Morning: Is Tomorrow the Last Day?

I’ve recently been appointed as Academic Dean at United (effective July 1), so I’ve been thinking through the ways in which I conceive of the work of theological education. Here’s a brief statement of what I’ve come up with. Of course, it’s subject to revision, so if you have comments, I’d like to receive them.…

I’m probably one of the only bloggers in the Christian blogosphere who hasn’t posted something about the whole “Is Gandhi in hell?” controversy. Personally, I like his take on that issue. This is a video on a different topic, though: resurrection.

There is an article on the FTE website that offers some steps to renew the church. I have to admit, I found myself agreeing with a few of the points the author made, but the article was pretty condescending toward evangelicals. And there was one suggestion that I found quite troubling: “Remind yourself that you…

I’m glad to say that my conference is getting more serious about ministry with people with disabilities. A step in the right direction is a new website that is being developed on Autism. Eventually, this site will include resources related to ministry with people with disabilities more broadly. If you have an interest in this…

I’m delivering two lectures at Armstrong Chapel UMC on April 7 and 14, beginning at 7:00 p.m. The first will be on the historical signficance of crucifixion, what it meant in Jesus’ day and how ancient people might have heard the message about the cross. The second will be on the present theological signficance of…

Several years ago, I stood in line for quite a long time, and indeed paid good Canadian money to the Royal Ontario Museum, to see the ossuary box that had allegedly held the bones of James, the brother of Jesus. I did not go to Toronto just for this purpose, thank goodness, but was at a…