The Holy Spirit: The Presence of the Coming Age (SBD 12)

May 22, 2009

[Note: I am attempting to keep these SBD installments under 2000 words each, but that is–of course–quite inadequate for the topics covered. Consequently, these contributions are more programmatic than they are explanatory or defenses of the positions stated. You may access the whole series at my Serial page.] The Holy Spirit, as the personal presence […]


Jesus of Nazareth: The Image of God (SBD 9)

May 19, 2009

[Note: I am attempting to keep these SBD installments under 2000 words each, but that is–of course–quite inadequate for the topics covered. Consequently, these contributions are more programmatic than they are explanatory or defenses of the positions stated. You may access the whole series at my Serial page.] The Word, the Son, became flesh and lived […]


Our Triune God: The Wonder of the Story (SBD 8)

May 18, 2009

[Note: I am attempting to keep these SBD installments under 2000 words each, but that is–of course–quite inadequate for the topics covered. Consequently, these contributions are more programmatic than they are explanatory or defenses of the positions stated. You may access the whole series at my Serial page.] The divine ontology is Being-in-Relation—the Christian narrative […]


Creation: A Divine Piece of Work (SBD 3)

May 8, 2009

[Note: I am attempting to keep these SBD installments under 2000 words each, but that is–of course–quite inadequate for the topics covered. Consequently, these contributions are more programmatic than they are explanatory or defenses of the positions stated. You may access the whole series at my Serial page.] The divine community enjoys communion with the […]


Jesus, the Unlikely Apprentice VI

March 1, 2009

Connected Living: Levels of Community The Triune God, of course, lives together in perfect unity, transparency and intimacy. The Father loves the Son, the Son loves the Spirit and the Spirit loves the Father. They are one (John 17:20-25). Their community is unbounded; it is infinite. Living life as a human, however, Jesus learned to […]


Theological Reflections on “The Shack” V: Kenotic Christology

October 26, 2008

[My book on the Shack is now available on Kindle.] The term kenosis comes from the classic Christological text in Philippians 2:7. The Greek verb kenoo is translated “made himself nothing” by the NIV and “emptied himself” by the NRSV. The term’s literal meaning is “empty or pour out” but the metaphorical meaning is “humbled.” […]


Theological Reflections on “The Shack” IV: Trinitarian Heresy?

October 15, 2008

[My book on the Shack is now available on Kindle.] The portrayal of the Trinity in The Shack has come under two assaults from critics.  Some suggest The Shack teaches modalism while others believe it teaches tritheism. The fact that such polar opposite accusations are present in the blog-o-sphere indicates….well, it is interesting to say the least.  […]


Theological Reflections on “The Shack” II: An African American Female “Papa”

October 9, 2008

[My book on the Shack is now available on Kindle.] One of the most striking features of Young’s parable is his depiction of the Father. This has occasioned criticism at several levels. Is it idolatry to portray the Father in such a manner? Does the female metaphor undermine the biblical image of the Father? Admittedly, […]


Meeting God at the Shack III: The Triune Shine

October 1, 2008

[My book on the Shack is now available on Kindle.] “Triune Shine”….what is that?  Ok, I admit it is my own invention.  But hear me out, ok? Many who have attended a 12-Step group for any length of time have heard about the “shine.”  It might be an “AA shine,” or an SA, NA, OA, […]


Stone-Campbell Theology — The Doctrine of God

May 12, 2008

As part of a pre-conference gathering entitled “Theology in the Service of the Church” in conjunction with the 1996 Christian Scholars Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, I presented a paper entitled “The Doctrine of God.”  The presentations at this pre-conference were published in Leaven 8.3 (2000). Some of these themes (providence, pneumatology, etc.) are pursued in my Kingdom […]