Ponderings on a Faith Journey

MAKING SENSE OF THE BIBLE: Rediscovering the Power of Scripture Today. By Adam Hamilton.  San Francisco:  Harper One, 2014.  324 pages.
                Years ago – before I arrived at Fuller Theological Seminary – a battle was underway.  It was a “Battle for the Bible,” that focused on the inspiration and authority of Scripture.  The issue was whether or not the Bible was inerrant, and if so what did that mean?  Did it mean, for instance, that we must take the creation story in Genesis 1-2 as historically and scientifically accurate portrayals?  What about questions of cultural context – should we replicate views of women and even slavery that we find in the Scriptures (at the time homosexuality wasn’t front and center).  Then there was the question of what actually should be considered inerrant – the current texts or the “original autographs.”  Even defenders of inerrancy weren’t sure how to answer the questions.  At Fuller, they hedged a bit by embracing infallibility, a softer way …

Matthew 28:11-15Common English Bible (CEB)
11 Now as the women were on their way, some of the guards came into the city and told the chief priests everything that had happened.12 They met with the elders and decided to give a large sum of money to the soldiers.13 They told them, “Say that Jesus’ disciples came at night and stole his body while you were sleeping.14 And if the governor hears about this, we will take care of it with him so you will have nothing to worry about.”15 So the soldiers took the money and did as they were told. And this report has spread throughout all Judea to this very day.It is the Sunday after Easter.  Jesus is risen.  We've proclaimed the good news.  But not everyone is happy.  As is often the case, there are those who have a vested interest in a different version of things.  We see this in politics all the time.  We call this spin.  Well, the religious leaders have a vested interest in Jesus being dead.  If he's dead, he'll be out of their hair.…

It was buried on page four of yesterday's Detroit Free Press, but a recent report based on census data suggests that Oakland County, one of America's most affluent county's has seen a 77% increase in poverty.
Living in the Metro-Detroit area, I know that the city of Detroit faces the extremes of poverty.  The same is true of former industrial centers like Flint and Saginaw,but could it happen in the midst of what so many perceive to be affluent suburbs?  It s true that Pontiac, another former industrial hub, has been hit hard by urban poverty, but what needs to be heard here is that poverty in Oakland County isn't just centered in Pontiac -- it's spread across the county (even in a city like Troy).   In my mind a report like that is front page news!
The story in the Free Press highlights the story of someone you wouldn't have expected to end up in poverty. In the story we learn about Bridget Agnello -- divorced, mother of one young son, college educated, forme…

As a Protestant I don't have any vested interest or influence on matters of Roman Catholic sainthood. I watch from a distance, approving or disapproving as I desire. But with the impending canonization of two former Popes, one who represents the opening of the Church to new possibilities (John XXIII) and one who despite his personal popularilty seemed to close down the new direction, offers us an intriguing look into the life of the Catholic Church. The process opens us up the question of what makes a saint? Is it popularity Is it heroic effort? And for some of us, we're waiting for Oscar Romero to be so honored! Could it be that John XXIII was elevated as a counter-balance to John Pall II? This essay by Matthew Petrusek helps us sort out some of these questions.  I would be interested in what others of you feel about this event come Sunday.



Habemus Sanctum: Catholic Church Recognizes Two Former Popes as Saintsby MATTHEW PETRUSEK
Thursday | April 24 2014Pope John Paul II, …