HAPPY REFORMATION DAY! “Abandon the Reformation, Abandon the Gospel.” While many other challenges to Reformation theology could be identified, these two examples sufficiently demonstrate that Reformation theology continues to be at the center of discussion. Many younger evangelicals are embracing Reformation theology today. But the challenge we will face lies in how to defend Reformation theology to light of new ideologies that seek to undermine its credibility. I believe that the linchpin in the effort to defend and apply Reformation theology today can be found in the simple truth made so clear by Luther himself—namely, that the gospel itself is … Continue reading The World Wide (Religious) Web for Monday, October 31, 2011

YEAH, WHAT HE SAID: “It’s the Spirituality, Stupid: Vital Congregations Cultivate Personal Piety.” Even though research shows spiritually alive churches are the most likely to grow, the percentage of U.S. congregations reporting high spiritual vitality declined from 43 percent in 2005 to 28 percent in 2010, according to the latest Faith Communities Today survey. The drop was accompanied by a decline in the emphasis given to spiritual practices such as prayer and scripture reading across nearly all groups aside from white evangelicals and congregations with 1,000 or more attenders. The most notable slide occurred among white mainline Protestant denominations, which … Continue reading The World Wide (Religious) Web for Friday, October 28, 2011

RELIGIOUS POLITICAL AGNOSTICISM: “Why It’s Difficult to Derive Political Affiliation from the Bible.” I think it’s fine that people bring their religious convictions into their political decisions, as we should with every aspect of life.  However, I’ve become skeptical that there is any one “right” way of doing this.  Moreover, I’m uncomfortable with any message, either explicit or implicit, that suggests that “if you’re a Christian, you should be a _______ (fill in the political party).” At this point in my life, I would say I’m a political agnostic—I just don’t know if there is one, right way to politics. … Continue reading The World Wide (Religious) Web for Thursday, October 27, 2011

COMPETENT TURK WATCH: “When Baptists Voted for a Heretic.” The Baptist alliance with Thomas Jefferson helps illuminate recent controversies over Pastor Robert Jeffress’s negative comments about Mitt Romney’s Mormonism. It reminds us that there was a time when conservative Baptists were willing to support a presidential candidate whose personal beliefs starkly differed from their own. As of 1800, Jefferson was still fairly quiet about his religious skepticism. (After he retired from politics, it became clear that he did not believe in the divinity of Christ, the Trinity, or the miracles in the Bible, including Jesus’s resurrection.) But Jefferson had already … Continue reading The World Wide (Religious) Web for Wednesday, October 26, 2011