Posts from the Blog of an (un)Tamed Cynic
Yesterday I posted about embracing the pathos of current realities in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Ironically—or perhaps providentially—on the same day a group of Presbyterians, several of whom I know as friends, posted a letter and video about Hope for the PC(USA). I think that my message and theirs work well together. You can watch [...]
Back in the fall I taught a four week adult education class at Fourth Church called “Christianity Without Heaven or Hell.” It was basically a study of Rob Bell’s 2011 book, Love Wins. I opened that class with this video, which I have used from time to time in my work with youth. I used [...]
Last night I attended the second of five Urban Dolorosa memorial events to honor Chicago children killed by violence. Urban Dolorosa—”suffering city”—is a movement among Chicago faith communities to raise awareness about the 277 Chicago children and youth who have died since September 2008, to grieve their loss, and to inspire the city to do [...]
Every year at the beginning of their confirmation experience, I ask our eighth graders what questions they have about God and faith. After collecting them together, I always love reading through the list because it reminds me what is on the minds of these young people as we embark on this faith journey together. As [...]
One aspect of Calvinism (and I suppose Neo-orthodoxy) that I find important is the emphasis on actually talking about sin, a concept that does not often get a lot of play in progressive pulpits. Back when I was going through the ordination process, one of my advisers always insisted that my developing statement of faith [...]
