Reflections of an Undeconstructed Pentecostal
In the last two decades discussions about racial equality have moved to discussions about critical race theory. Critical race theory insists that white people are historically responsible for the oppression of people of color. Therefore, white people are incapable of acting beyond their self-interest and are incapable of understanding the plight of the oppressed.
Continue reading “The Ministry of Racial Reconciliation”
This morning I had a long conversation with a grieving black man. I’ve known him for several years. He is a member of my church – the Church of God. He has served as pastor of a local congregation. He spoke with passion, some would say anger. But I heard grief and lament. He called me, a white man, because we are friends and he trusts my counsel. The truth is that I struggled for answers.
Continue reading “A Conversation with a Grieving Black Man”
My Facebook feed was filled with images of Brant Jean, the brother of the murdered Botham Jean, hugging the murderer, Amber Guyger. People were overwhelmed by Brant’s gesture. But, I waited for the criticisms of postmodern social justice warriors. They came. Continue reading “Insufficient Grace?”
A few decades ago, I took my first class in environmental science. I well remember the dire warnings of over-population, energy shortages, mass starvation, and the ever present threat of thermo-nuclear war with the ensuing nuclear winter that would plunge the earth into a new ice age. All of this would happen by the year 2000. Well, as we all know, those predictions proved to be pseudo-science.
Continue reading “Thinking about a Biblical Eco-Theology”
The story of the demonized boy (Mark 9) can be understood as a motif of postmodernism. The father of the demonized boy confessed, “I believe, help my unbelief.” This is the cry of postmodernity. We want to believe, but we find it difficult to believe, or to know what to believe.
Continue reading “The Postmodern Cry – “Help my unbelief!””
In a recent conversation I was asked, “How do we move forward to settle the issue of women in ministry?” I replied, “You’ve got to call out the issue for what it is – sexism.” I continued, “If the issue is homosexuality we call it out as sin. If the issue is racism, we call it out as sin. And, if the issue is sexism we must call it out as sin.” Many of my colleagues will protest, “It’s not sexism, it’s what the Bible teaches!” So, which is it?
Continue reading “Calling out Sexism as Sin”
In the early days of my ministry (1978-1990) I was known as a liberal because I favored the New American Standard Bible over the King James Bible, the new Church of God practical commitments over the old, and the contemporary music of Andrae Crouch, The Imperials, and Keith Green over Southern Gospel. Also, I was outspoken on the issues of racial equality and women in ministry. In fact, one well-meaning friend suggested to me, “Dan, you could get elected to the youth board if you’d just keep your mouth shut.” I replied, “The cost is to too high.” As my colleagues considered me to be liberal, I remained theologically conservative. My early experiences left me asking, “So, just what does it mean to be liberal or conservative?”
Continue reading “Are you Liberal, Conservative, or . . .”