Hey friends. Christianity Today released its 2023 book awards today. Some really great stuff there. But I want to draw attention to the Theology (Popular) section, where Kent’s book Reading Theology Wisely was a finalist! It truly is an exceptional book, one that Kent poured his heart into. Congratulations, Kent!! Kent is one of the founding contributors of this blog. For more than a decade, he’s helped students at Huntington University learn to read theology wisely (as a former student, he does it well!). In Reading Theology Wisely, Kent gathers together the wisdom he’s gained from pouring h ..read more

Howdy all, Zen here. It’s been quiet around here, in part, because I transitioned into a Ph.D. program down at Baylor University (sic’ em, Bears!). Part of my work over the last several months has included helping the Religion Department and Baylor University Press start up a new podcast. It will feature folks from the department, authors from the press, and, depending on the show, other guests that might help us have a good conversation. And I get the privilege of serving as the host. It’s good fun. Anyhow, I thought I’d share the podcast with you all in case you’d be interested in listening ..read more

As Easter is fast approaching, here’s a post from last year that, I think, is still quite relevant. From the post: This year, as churches utilize livestreams and other digital options, Easter worship will be more public than any time in recent history. Preachers may have an opportunity to speak to people who otherwise would never hear them. Will you keep those people, who are likely desperate for the good news of the gospel, waiting in the tomb all morning? Or will you rush them out of the tomb in joy, taking them by the hand and leading them on a search for the living Lord? Will you make t ..read more

Ellen Davis suggests that an interpretation of Scripture should be judged by its beauty. She writes, Interpretations of scripture are not just right or wrong, although at times such categories are useful and necessary. A more adequate way of judging our readings might be the way we judge works of art—according to the standards of beauty. To what extent do our readings reveal the intricacy, the wondrous quality of what the biblical writers call ma‘asei Adonai, “the works of the LORD”? Ellen Davis, Christian Century, “Beyond Criticism” I think this is an important insight. “Right” and “wro ..read more

Hi all: like many of you I was glued to the screen yesterday afternoon. I was not sure what to do following the events that unfolded throughout the day. More sobering today, we now know four people died and fourteen police were injured. Beyond death and injury, people are unsettled for all kinds of reasons. I thought about releasing some kind of “pastoral wisdom” on the matter today but determined I might do better just to help people pray–not to avoid the pain and problems at hand, but to engage them more deeply. Prayer strengthens our spirit to engage the world with more love and wisdom. So ..read more

Hey all: Swamped with work, and pulled in every direction! Pastoring during this season is wild. I have 20+ books to review next year and I have several blogs sitting in my “ideas” folder. Here’s to hoping for time to knock that out come January, as the winter slows things down a bit at church and home. In the meantime, here’s a good second-week-of-Advent tune. My wife’s voice is just perfect for it. And the lyrics are a balm to weary souls. We’re covering Josh Garrel’s version of this old hymn. (If nothing else, even if you don’t listen to the song, maybe my still screen face will give you a ..read more

Kurt Willems is doing another give away! Click here to sign up. Who knows, maybe Kurt will make your Christmas merry and…Wright! Every blessing to you all! Pax Christi, Zen ..read more

This interview was originally my church’s time of biblical reflection and proclamation during an all-digital service. (Nov. 8, 2020: full service is available here. There is an echo on the pre-recorded videos, however, so you’ll want to watch the interview video below.) We discuss the psalms in general, Psalm 146 specifically, and how Jesus encounters us through that psalm. Enjoy! Jason Byassee currently teaches at Vancouver School of Theology. He is an ordained Methodist minister and has published numerous books, including a commentary on the final fifty psalms. Just because I am proud of it ..read more

Because they (and, let’s be honest, all of us!) need all the prayers we can get right now. O Sovereign Lord, we pray for politicians the world over. The ones we adore and the ones we despise, all of whom will answer to You. We pray especially for those who dishonor You by ruling dishonestly, harmfully, and unjustly. Guard the weak and the needy from their tyranny. And teach us, even in our sinfulness, to love them enough to celebrate whatever good they do and to call them to account for the wrong. Most of all, Lord, we pray that you would captivate their hearts and minds that their rule may ec ..read more

Howdy, friends. As usual in 2020, I am making too little time to write. What can you expect in a year with a global pandemic and a newborn, not to mention the wild socio-political events? One beautiful aspect of this year has been my own personal discovery of ancient Christian practices, prayers, and songs, through which Christ has comforted me endlessly. The Phos Hilaron prayer is a wonderful example. Rev. Clarke French, an Episcopal priest in North Carolina, was kind enough to walk me through the Book of Common Prayer’s evening prayer liturgy. He pointed out the Phos Hilaron as an especially ..read more