Archive: January, 2012
Can psychopaths be saved?
Three years ago I was interviewed by “Christian Cinema” about my then new book Finding God in the Shack. At one point in the interview I talked about the way that grace could even break through the hardened shell of a pyschopathic serial killer: When I was growing up, I lived near the Pacific Northwest, [...]
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The fallible Jesus?
The question of the knowledge (and ignorance) of Jess exploded back onto the blog this week when Andy Derksen commented the following in my article “How many wrong beliefs did Jesus have?” unless Jesus was in fact wrong about his very identity and mission(!) … whatever he actually *taught* as recorded in the gospels–including statements that have [...]
Read moreMust a Christian believe in the Trinity?
Jeff is puzzled that I have made the claim that Christians ought to be trinitarian. Let’s hear Jeff in his own words: “Randal, sorry to be a pest, but I’m still surprised that you haven’t stepped back from your statement that adherence to trinitarian doctrine is essential for identification as a Christian. Maybe it’s a [...]
Read moreLevitating teapots and other miraculous things
Yesterday I noted that a miracle is, in its essence, a sign of divine action, not a violation of natural law. So then when is it appropriate to infer the occurrence of a miracle in natural events? Ray Ingles raised the issue like this: I went to the bus stop yesterday, parked my van, walked [...]
Read moreWhy are Christian movies so bad?
The other day somebody advised me to watch the film “Courageous”. I took their advice. Partially. We started to watch the film. But then forty-five minutes into it we realized that Jon Stewart’s “The Daily Show” was about to begin. So… In other words, the film suffered from the most devastating of cinematic crimes: mediocrity. It [...]
Read moreWill the real Christian please stand up?
And so the discussion on Christian unity and Christian identity continues. I apologize for my spotty engagement in the discussion. On Friday I drove five hours to another city to teach a Christian worldview course Friday evening and all day Saturday. Too bad y’all weren’t there because one of the points I emphasized is the [...]
Read moreDo you want to know the sins of your leaders?
Well Newt Gingrich definitely had the last laugh! And I love this picture at his victory rally last night. He looks like he was just caught by his mom with his hand in the cookie jar! Naughty Newt. What are you hiding in your pocket? The best headline I read came from Slate: “Romney Newtered”. Bam! [...]
Read moreReflections on Jewsday: A Response to Paul Manata
Paul Manata’s most recent attempt to deflate my critique of the Cleveland Indians branding has left the fact that I’m a Canadian in the background and shifted to focus on a reductio. Paul points out that cultural stereotypes proliferate about Italians. So then if stereotypes about Indians are “bad” presumably then stereotypes about Italians are bad [...]
Read moreWhat unifies Christians for Christian unity week?
We are in the midst of Christian unity week, a time extending from January 18-25 when Christians around the world pray for unity. Incidentally, did you hear that Fred Phelps and his tiny media darling Westboro Baptist Church (the infamous “God hates fags” church) will be participating this year? Since they believe they’re the only Christians on [...]
Read moreNewt Gingrich’s rhetorical brilliance
Folks, as you know I am not personally fond of “nasty Newt Gingrich”. But I am astonished at his rhetorical brilliance. As you know, ABC News did an interview which is just being released today with Gingrich’s ex-wife in which she claims he requested an open marriage which would include his lover (now wife). John [...]
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