04.24.09

On Susan Boyle & Beauty

Posted in Music, Personal tagged at 10:26 am by brainofdtrain

This has to be one of my favorite posts of the year.  It is a must read: it absolutely slayed me.

04.19.09

What about Philemon?

Posted in Biblical Studies tagged , , at 10:24 am by brainofdtrain

This week i am studying the book of Philemon.  It has been quite enjoyable so far, and i find myself unsettled by the common assumption, whether spoken or evidenced in practice, that Philemon is of little or no relevance within the NT or Pauline canon.

So, i want to open this up to my readers with two (related) questions: what “role” does Philemon play within the NT?  Within Pauline thought?

04.13.09

Habits of a Graduate Student

Posted in Methodology, Personal at 11:25 am by brainofdtrain

A while ago i came across this list (click here) , which uses the Stephen Covey phraseology of “the seven habits of highly effective {fill in blank}” to articulate how to be a highly effective graduate student. 

Since a good share of my readers are graduate students, i would love to here your thoughts on this list.

For a Laugh

Posted in Personal, Philosophy tagged , , at 6:30 am by brainofdtrain

I thought this was funny:

I am not sure if he is going for satire, but i found his take to be a humorous indictment of our isolation that is perpetuated by, among many things, blogs {gasp!}.

04.12.09

Easter Meditation

Posted in Christian Theologians, Theology & Doctrine tagged , , at 1:24 pm by brainofdtrain

Therefore God has exalted him and given him the name above all names (Php 2:9)

Why does Paul add this and all that follows?  Only for the sake of dogmatic completeness, or in order to secure a comforting, triumphant end to the story of Christ descending into the depths?

There is good reason for what the ancient painters did when, in their representations of Christ ascending to heaven and throned in heaven, they left the wounds of the cross.

this is the Lord and Head of the church; there is where we stand en Christo Iesou; therefore God exalted him; it is as such-as the One who emptied and humbled himself-that Christ stands where we see him stand, in glory at the right hand of God.

There is no other Christ than this, God’s equal become man. 

{Source, 66}

 

Audio with Rowan Williams

Posted in Christian Theologians, Spiritual Formation, Theology & Doctrine tagged , , at 9:43 am by brainofdtrain

audio-3

Rowan has done a series of lectures recently entitled “Growing in Prayer: what the saints tell us about the spiritual journey.”  Here are the lectures (in order): 1-2-3.

Thanks to Jason for these great links!  If you aren’t familiar with Jason’s blog, be sure to check it out.

04.07.09

Robert Jenson Links

Posted in Christian Theologians, Theology & Doctrine tagged , at 8:13 pm by brainofdtrain

A couple of great links to Robert Jenson, who by the estimation of many is best theologian working in the US today:

  1. Halden has posted selections to an interview with Jenson.  Good stuff.
  2. Much thanks to Jason, who has linked to a recent series of lectures Jenson has done.  Here they are: 1-2-3-4-5-6.  Also, be sure to check out Jason’s lecture notes.

Enjoy some Jenson today!

Niebuhr on Conflict Resolution

Posted in Christian Theologians, Politics, Theology & Doctrine tagged at 11:08 am by brainofdtrain

I recently read an old article in The Christian Century where John Kelley discusses the Niebuhr brother’s only published disagreement over how to respond to large-scale conflicts.  In light of the (then) conflict surrounding Japan, Reinhold advocated working for justice.  His brother Richard took a different and surprising tactic.  He argued that Christians should “do nothing.” 

Richard based this response on two premises:

  1. That God is real.  The reason doing nothing seems impractical, according to Niebuhr, is because such a belief is obsolete.  God was at work in his world, and perhaps we fancy our efforts too important.
  2. Christians should do nothing in the face of conflict because it can be an antidote to the powerful pull of self-interest.  Behind all our righteous indignation, Niebuhr argued, often lies a sinful thirst for control, to be God. 

Although this compact argument leaves much open to question and interpretation, I think Niebuhr’s points are worth taking seriously.  According to Kelley, Niebuhr desired that Christians would be a healing presence, a witness through acts of caring.  This ”suffering presence,” as Kelley describes it, seems to be more in line with the teachings of our Lord.  The Triune God can handle the  world’s problems, and will.  We must resist seeing ourselves as the key to the resolution of the world’s problems, especially by violent ends, lest we end up becoming thirsty for power or oppressors who wish to “help.”

Kelley, John.  “Time for the Grace of Doing Nothing.”  The Christian Century 105 no. 31 (October 26 1988): 940-41.

Return and a Poll

Posted in Biblical Interpretation, Christian Theologians, Theology & Doctrine tagged , at 10:09 am by brainofdtrain

I have been pretty inactive lately, but i am hoping to get back in the habit.  So to get back in the swing, i will throw a poll out there.  I have been doing a bit of reading on Pauline theology lately, and am curious what other bloggers think of the “of/in Christ” debate.  If you have time, throw your rationale for why you voted the way you did.  Here you go: