On September 22, 2023, I presented a lecture at Eastern University titled “Atheists Who Love God.” One of the audience members, David Gray, recorded the lecture from his seat and kindly sent me the file. As you can imagine, the sound quality isn’t ideal (not that I’m complaining!), but if you’re interested in what I […]
The Tentative Apologist
Satanism and Christianity: How Wide the Divide? (Not as Wide as You Might Think!)
My interview with Stephen Bradford Long, a minister for The Satanic Temple. My apologies, the beginning of the video cut out and I had some problems with the audio/video but c’est la vie. You can visit Stephen Long online here: https://stephenbradfordlong.com/ And here are the 7 Tenets of The Satanic Temple: https://thesatanictemple.com/blogs/the-satanic-temple-tenets/there-are-seven-fundamental-tenets ?
Christian Hospitality and the Problem of Selfish Motivation
Hebrews 13:2 offers a plea for hospitality that is very well-known among Christians, one that is meant to motivate to action with a reminder that you may, in fact, be entertaining angels: “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” Thus, […]
Christians and Satanists in Dialogue
I recently joined a dialogue hosted by MultiFaith Matters with Stephen Bradford Long, a minister in The Satanic Temple. You’ll be surprised with how much we agree! Here is the description from the YouTube page: “On July 25 The Satanic Temple (TST) celebrated one of their holidays, Unveiling Day. Their website describes this as a […]
Defanging Aslan? The Problem of Carnivores in the Kingdom
I was raised with a view of the afterlife which consisted of equal parts platonic dualism and fanciful folk theology replete with halos, clouds, harps, and interminable hymn singing. So it was a matter of considerable relief when I discovered that an orthodox Christian understanding of the afterlife was a far more holistic and this-worldly […]
Matthew 18 as a Recipe for Abuse (The Unhealthy Church Part 2)
In Matthew 18:15-17, Jesus teaches his followers how to deal with conflict within the church. In a cruel irony, this valuable teaching is often twisted by well-meaning Christians in a manner that perpetuates abuse. In this article, we will take a look at the teaching, consider how it is abused, and outline guidelines for its […]
The Unhealthy Church Part 1: Taking Up Your Cross Does Not Mean Subjecting Yourself to Abuse
In this series, I am identifying various ways that particular Christian beliefs can be distorted within Christian communities, often in subtle yet devastating ways that increase the likelihood of abuse and exploitation. We begin in this first article with what is arguably the central doctrine that defines the Christian life: the call to take up […]
Intellectual Honesty, Transparency, and the Pro-Life Movement: An Interview
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Once Loved, Always Loved? Christian Universalism with Andrew Hronich
In this interview, I sit down with Andrew Hronich to discuss his expansive and vigorous new defense of universal reconcilication: “Once Loved, Always Loved: The Logic of Apokatastasis.” Get your copy of “Once Loved Always Loved” here: https://amzn.to/3JA6PoI (promoted) ?
From Professor to Investigator: Announcing My New Career
On June 30 of this year, I will conclude twenty years as professor of historical theology at Taylor Seminary in Edmonton, Canada: I gave notice ten days ago that I would be concluding my time at the end of the month. It’s a big change as I’m leaving the academy and my career as a […]
Franklin Graham’s Attempt to Slander Gay Pride
Franklin Graham has been posting about Gay Pride. His argument appears to go something like this: Pride is always a sin. Therefore, gay pride is a sin. One of the sins God hates most is PRIDE. Your pride, my pride, gay pride. “Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Though they join […]
On Christians Who Fight Abortion But Defend Genocidal Baby-Killing
I am going to highlight the moral incoherence of Christian conservatives who rail against abortion as a great evil while defending biblical atrocities. Case in point, yesterday a fellow named Steven Ullmer posted the following moral indictment of abortion, referencing “innocent blood”: Part of my response to Mr. Ullmer included a pointed challenge to his […]
Talking Theology with the Godless Granny
My latest interview is with the Godless Granny. Check it out! ?
Are Transwomen Women?
There are few social and ethical debates today as controversial as those that swirl around the simple statement “Transwomen are women.” Here is an argument against the statement in the form of modus ponens. If transwomen are women then the cis man who refuses to date transwomen in principle is a transphobe. The cis man […]
