ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS June 12, 2026 Scholars believe that 1st Thessalonians is the oldest (or the earliest) New Testament writing we possess. While the Gospels narrate the story of Jesus, they were written decades after his death. Paul completed his ministry and was executed before the earliest Gospel, Mark, was written. So I find it absolutely fascinating that the earliest recorded statement we have of the Christian movement comes
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS June 11, 2026 I don’t really know what to say about the Southern Baptist Church doubling down on its opposition to women in ministry. Of course, let’s be clear. There are other Baptist denominations, including the American Baptist Church, that celebrate women in ministry. So I want to be cautious about grouping all Baptists under a single umbrella. With that said, my heart breaks for all
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS June 10, 2026 There has been a recent push for a return to “Biblical Womanhood.” Biblical womanhood might sound like a beautiful phrase to some ears, even though a lot of folks don’t know exactly what it means. In some Christian settings, there is a push for women to get married by 18 and begin having babies as the earlier you start, the more babies you
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS June 9, 2026 What does it mean when someone is accused of being a sodomite? If you are going to be true to the Bible and the Christian faith, then accusing someone of being a sodomite is to accuse him/her of greed, pride, injustice, idolatry, and inhospitality. The sin of Sodom, specifically the story found in Genesis 19, has absolutely nothing to do with same-sex attraction
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS June 8, 2026 Prayer for the Week: I pray for hope as pessimism has turned to defeat I pray for courage when the vulnerable cry out for an advocate I pray for mercy when judgement is harsh and misdirected I pray for kindness in a time when bullies are rewarded I pray for truth-telling as lies are defended with threats I pray for grace among those
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS June 7, 2026 In Isaiah 66:13, the prophet writes: As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. What images are important to you? People tend to love the image of God as the Good Shepherd, yet how many of us have known a shepherd well enough to provide a detailed description of what a good shepherd is
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS June 6, 2026 Yesterday, I attended a clergy event where Dr. Lisa Davidson, the Academic Dean at Phillips Seminary and Professor of Hebrew Bible, asked us a question: Do you want your doctor to provide you care based on what was known 2000 years ago? Let’s just say that we all agreed the answer was a big NO! Whether I am going in for a sore
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS June 5, 2026 Many churches are doubling down on divorce. What I mean is that more churches are feeling the need to relegate those who have experienced divorce to a lower status in the life of the church. Depending on the congregation, this post-divorce status can look a little different, but in most cases, it means that you can attend worship and give money, but you
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS June 4, 2026 There is a lot of confusion when it comes to the Bible, specifically what is called univocality. This assumption suggests the Bible speaks with one voice from Testament to Testament, from poetry to narrative, from prophetic declaration to parable. The one voice would be, of course, God’s voice. And most folks take the next step and argue divine inspiration and the inerrancy of
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS June 3, 2026 Why Pride month? Yes, June is Pride month, a time in which a bit more focus falls upon those in the LGBTQ+ community. Like other months with a special focus, June provides an opportunity for additional education, acknowledgment of concerns, and questions. January is Dry January, a time to encourage and celebrate sobriety. February is Black History Month. March is Brain Tumor Awareness