Author Archives: joejames
Adventures In Missing the Point: “Baptism For the Dead”
This post is dedicated to a friend and to my father, who share my deep love for Scripture, and persist daily in fearlessly exploring it’s depths, unafraid to ask questions and pursue new angles. Grant & Dad, who knows where such a journey may lead us…. “Otherwise, what will those people do who receive baptism […] Continue reading
An Election-Day Thought
Recently, Randy Harris, Professor of Theology at Abilene Christian University, came to our church and spoke on the kingdom of God. In the middle of his sermon, he paused to say this: “And to those of you who think so much is riding on this next election, I want you to know, the kingdom of […] Continue reading
“Aren’t You Aware That We Will Judge Angels?”
(For a MUCH better version of what I will try to say here, see Jonathan Storment’s blog series on Judging.) Judgment tends to be difficult, and often, hot topic in our churches. There are 2 levels, and (at least) 4 categories of Judgment at which the issue is typically addressed: LEVEL ONE: The Judgment of […] Continue reading
All Hallows Eve
The night before All Saints day, when the saints throughout history are stirred from their rest until the Resurrection, has come upon us a custom, to walk among the dead and be aware of death itself. Today, it is Halloween, All Hallows Eve. Before the Saints are awakened from rest, the demons and devils, deadly […] Continue reading
N.T. Wright on Baptism
The 4 & The One
I have been, for several years now, a serious student of John Howard Yoder. Yoder represents a strand of religious and social thought that has its roots in Anabaptist theology. He is a very strong apologist for Christian Non-Violence and a dissident form of Christian Pacifism. I think my obsession with Yoder has been rooted […] Continue reading
Thoughts on Evil: Part 13, Horrors & God’s Response
The word evil has become a little like the word love in our age. It is overused and therefore robbed of its meaning. We all know, and are probably immediately aware that the word love has lost its weight. But take note of the frequency of the use of the word evil around you. A good example of a context […] Continue reading
Do You Know the Voice of Justice?
Which represents the voice of Justice, and which represents the voice of Injustice? Can you discern?
What I Learned from Black Liberation Theology
I was introduced to Dr. James Cone through a friend from back home. I am certain that I will never be the same. James Cone is considered the foremost theologian in a Christian stream of thought called “Black Liberation Theology”. Dr. Cone is, more often than not, misunderstood. Actually its much worse than a misunderstanding, […] Continue reading
