A Testimony to Courage in Difficult Times Most of us grew up hearing the classic Hans Christian Anderson story of the Emperor’s New Clothes.  The story valorizes a young girl who is willing to speak the truth right in the face of the masses who were all too willing to go along with the “mass […]

As most of you know, I now teach at Beeson Divinity School.   When I was President of Asbury Seminary my time was spent in administration, endless meetings, formulating budgets, raising money etc..  All of this was joyful work, but it did keep me from my first love, which is teaching students!  I was like the […]

The See of Canterbury is Vacant It has been announced that Sarah Mullally will be the next Archbishop of Canterbury.  She is the currently the bishop of London, but has had only minimal theological education and very little pastoral experience.  She appears to be a very competent administrator, as she served as a senior administrator […]

The See of Canterbury is Vacant It has been announced that Sarah Mullally will be the next Archbishop of Canterbury.  She is the currently the bishop of London, but has had only minimal theological education and very little pastoral experience.  She appears to be a very competent administrator, as she served as a senior administrator […]

Christianity is remarkably resilient despite the endless attacks against it.  It is noteworthy that the recent election of Pope Leo XIV took place in the midst of the ruins of the mighty, once-thought “eternal” Roman Empire.  Empires rise and fall, but the gospel of Jesus Christ continues.  In the early decades of the 21st century […]

In today’s politically charged and divisive atmosphere one can feel quite vulnerable when someone asks a question like, “Do Christians favor more gun control?” or “What’s the Christian position on immigration?”   It sometimes feels like a political “gottcha” question which is used by some to make the church (as the phrase goes) “the Republican party […]

Polycarp, the famous 1st century bishop of Smyrna is known for his martyrdom.   He was   part of that great legacy of Christians who were the direct “disciples of the Disciples.”  In his case, he was the disciple of the Apostle John.   Everyone who knew him testified to his impeccable life and his commitment to historic […]

Polycarp, the famous 1st century bishop of Smyrna is known for his martyrdom.   He was   part of that great legacy of Christians who were the direct “disciples of the Disciples.”  In his case, he was the disciple of the Apostle John.   Everyone who knew him testified to his impeccable life and his commitment to historic […]

Polycarp, the famous 1st century bishop of Smyrna is known for his martyrdom.   He was   part of that great legacy of Christians who were the direct “disciples of the Disciples.”  In his case, he was the disciple of the Apostle John.   Everyone who knew him testified to his impeccable life and his commitment to historic […]

Good Friday Reflection Psalm 22 and Psalm 69 are two of the psalms which Jesus himself quotes from the cross. Most of us know that many of the most familiar lines of the passion are actually Jesus quoting from the daily prayer book of the Jews, which we call the Book of Psalms. “My God, […]