Colleagues, Not long ago Philip Jenkins (Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies and History, Penn State University) startled some folks with his book THE NEXT CHRISTENDOM (Oxford University Press, 2003). Jenkins argued that “global” Christianity was “moving south” and that the “next” Christendom — already on the scene throughout the southern hemisphere — was quite different from, and …
Major American Jewish Theologian Calls for “Left-Hand-of-God” Theology
Colleagues, One of you ThTh receivers sent me this review of “The Left Hand of God,” a book by Michael Lerner. No surprise, such a title caught my attention. Also no surprise, Lerner’s left-hand, right-hand, distinction is not congruent with stuff you have read in past ThTh posts, that have commended Luther’s view of the ambidextrous deity. …
The Gift of Grace: The Future of Lutheran Theology
The Gift of Grace: The Future of Lutheran Theology by Niels Henrik Gregersen (Editor), Bo Holm (Editor), Ted Peters (Editor) Paperback: 368 pages Publisher: Augsburg Fortress Publishers (December 2004) Language: English ISBN: 0800636864 Review by Frederick Niedner, Valparaiso University Thursday Theology’s regular readers will recall that in January of 2003 the Lutheran World Federation, Dialogue journal, and the …
The History of Medical Missions
Colleagues, This weeks’s post is an ellipse–one storyline orbiting two centers. First center in the ellipse is John Eckrich’s review of Christoffer Grundmann’s pioneering historical study of Medical Missions; second center is John’s own pitch for medical missions today. Both author and reviewer themselves constitute a second sort of ellipse on the personal level as well. Author …
A Book Review on Confession and Absolution – Lutheran Style
Colleagues, This week’s posting offers readers Wayne Holst’s review of Ronald K. Rittgers’ case study on Confession and Absolution in Lutheran theology and church life in the earliest days of the Reformation. The identities of author and reviewer are in the text that follows.Peace & Joy! Ed Schroeder THE REFORMATION OF THE KEYS: Confession, Conscience, and Authority …
More Discussion on Patterson, the Jesus Seminar and Jesus Himself
Colleagues, Here are some items in the continuing discussion.Peace & Joy! Ed Schroeder Author Steve Patterson responds to the folks who had something to say about his book last week:A few comments on the postings from last week… One person, who has not read my book, thought I sounded much like Crossan. He’s right. I’ve learned just …
Reader Response to last week’s review of Stephen Patterson’s book BEYOND THE PASSION. RETHINKING THE DEATH AND LIFE OF JESUS.
Colleagues, Last week’s ThTh 400 posting elicited some mail. Here are some of the responses.Peace & Joy! Ed Schroeder STEPHEN PATTERSON, the book’s author First, thanks for honoring me with a lengthy piece like this. Though you clearly disagree, you are also laudatory at places, which I very much appreciate. I think the piece is fair. In …
For the “Jesus Seminar,” Just How Much Jesus is Needed?
Colleagues, This week a book review. Stephen J. Patterson. BEYOND THE PASSION. RETHINKING THE DEATH AND LIFE OF JESUS. [Minneapolis: Fortress Press. 2004] x, 161 pp. Paper. US$18. Marie and I attend an early morning [every other Tuesday at (ugh!) 7 a.m.] Bible class that has been running for 16 years already. With our pastor at the helm …
An Op-Ed “State of the Union Address” for the USA 2006
Colleagues, I listened & watched President Bush give his “State of the Union” address Tuesday evening (January 31), even took notes. I read the printed text in the paper the next morning. Before long this Op Ed alternative began to percolate. Here’s what it looked like when it came off the stove.Peace & Joy! Ed Schroeder “FROM …
Reverie on Ten Years of Crossings on the Internet: Sabbatheology #1 Redivivus
Colleagues, Ten years ago tomorrow, January 27, 1996, the first Sabbatheology posting went out into cyberspace. It wasn’t a text-study as the term “Sabbatheology” –pronounced “Sabbath Theology” (you use the “th” twice)–later came to designate. It was yours truly ruminating on what you see below. There were only a handful of folks who got this #1 on …