Spirit Guides
There are two things, above all, that students want: that their professors challenge them and that they care about them.
My years in the classroom, as well as my conversations with young people about their college experience, have convinced me there are two things, above all, that students want from their professors. Not, as people commonly believe, to entertain them in class and hand out easy A’s. That’s what they retreat to, once they see... Continue Reading
Ferguson and My White-Looking Son
I’ve watched the horror in Ferguson, MO unfold, I couldn’t help but wonder what it will be like for my son as he grows into a young man.
Because he is white-looking, I fear my son will grow up in an environment that is hostile towards white males. I do live in the south where racial tension and strife have plagued our history. So what if we end up doing just the thing we’ve fought so hard to stop? What if we, black... Continue Reading
Did Paul Teach that a Rock Followed the Israelites in the Wilderness?
First in the series responding to Peter Enns' "Aha Moments" questioning the inerrancy of Scripture
As for the second problem, even if this Jewish “tradition” was extant in the first century there are serious doubts about whether 1 Cor 10:4 demonstrates Paul’s adoption of it. He may well be doing a biblical – theological exegesis of Exodus 14-17 in the light of Psalm 78:14-20 (e,g., “he splits the rocks . . . and gave them abundant... Continue Reading
The Wrong Kind of Christian
There is no amount of niceness or progressive sympathizing that will remove the reproach of the gospel.
It didn’t matter to them if we were politically or racially diverse, if we cared about the environment or built Habitat homes. It didn’t matter if our students were top in their fields and some of the kindest, most thoughtful, most compassionate leaders on campus. There was a line in the sand, and we fell... Continue Reading
An Open Letter to Richard Dawkins
In response to Dawkins' assertion that it is morally good to abort children with Down syndrome
And so, Dr. Dawkins, I’d like to invite you to dinner. Come spend time with my children. Share a meal with them. Before you advocate their deaths, come find out what’s worthwhile in their lives. Find out if the suffering is worth the joy. I don’t want you to come over for a debate. I... Continue Reading
Dark Days for a Pastor’s Wife
One pastor's wife shares her recent experience of troubled times
A pastor’s wife, who normally encourages church members in their struggles, sometimes finds herself in difficult circumstances where she is the one in need of ministry. This is not a comfortable place for her or for those who look at her as unflappable. It may be unsettling for new Christians to see mature believers stricken. Here is my experience. Deep WatersApril: Troubles within... Continue Reading
Christ Did Not Die for You to Do Keg Stands
Here are a few suggestions on how to begin formulating a Christian response to drinking on our college campuses.
Some Christians go farther than Scripture in condemning alcohol. The Bible celebrates wine as a gift from God (Isa. 55:1; John 2:9) and good for your stomach (1 Timothy 5:23). I’m not convinced that the Lord’s Supper was strictly the unfermented stuff (1 Cor. 11:21). But let’s not trade one overreach for another. Christians who enjoy... Continue Reading
Singing God’s Words or Man’s Words?
The question puts us on the horns of a false dilemma.
Are there hymns that are divinely true because they convey the accurate meaning of God’s word? If they accurately capture the sense of Scripture then we are dealing with God’s truth, and not merely “man’s words.” The truth of God’s word gives rise to truth: Years ago I was asked the following question by... Continue Reading
What I Wish I’d Been Taught In School
What subjects do you wish were taught at school? What subjects would you drop or reduce?
I think things have improved somewhat in some schools over the years, but there are still huge gaps of basic practical living and vocational skills that no amount of algebra, physics, history, and psychology can make up for. With all the inertia, vested interests, and stagnant thinking in the educational system, I know it will... Continue Reading
Harry Reeder: Loss of Trevelyn Campbell ‘Extraordinarily Challenging’
Briarwood Presbyterian Church head pastor Harry Reeder says Trevelyn's death has hit his congregation hard
It is with heavy heart that I write you to inform you that Trevelyn was killed in a car accident late last night on Altadena. She had been visiting with us for several hours, doing laundry, having dinner, and it was such a lovely, joyful visit as she was anticipating a new year at Samford.... Continue Reading