Category Archives: On the way to Sunday’s sermon

Between Heaven and Hell

Posted on January 25, 2013 by PaulVK

One of the most offensive claims that Christians make is that their narrative governs after-life destinations. Numerous groups find these claims offensive. For many others they simply seem to have insufficient grip to change behavior. Moral Performance or Religious Fidelity? … Continue reading →

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Why Bother with the Old Testament

Posted on December 21, 2012 by PaulVK

Haven’t We Evolved Beyond the Bible? Many people believe the Bible is a liability for Christians and the world. The Bible invites people to give religious sanction violence, prejudice, and tribalism. People should just leave the book behind, like a … Continue reading →

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How All Quarreling Ends

Posted on December 14, 2012 by PaulVK

To Quarrel is human, to end the quarrel divine.  I don’t know anything more wearying nor as entrapping as quarreling. All of us are veteran quarrelers. We started it as children, toddlers in fact, and throughout most of our live … Continue reading →

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Advent to the Burned-Over District

Posted on December 7, 2012 by PaulVK

Ted Haggard One of the important posts to bless the Internet this week was a piece about Ted Haggard. It’s written by a pastor who has a book coming out next year entitled “Why We Eat Our Own”. Here’s the … Continue reading →

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Jesus Undoes That Which No Doubter Can Deny

Posted on December 1, 2012 by PaulVK

Sexy Doubt Doubt is a hot topic and doubters and skeptics are persons of interest for churches given the rise of the “nones” (and the decline of the nuns). For many who were raised on traditional Christianity a plausibility gap … Continue reading →

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Jonah and the Elder Brother of the Prodigal Son

Posted on November 22, 2012 by PaulVK

In both the Old and New Testaments familial metaphors govern our relationship with God. The LORD is our master and we his servant/slave. The LORD is our father, and we his child. The LORD is our husband and we his … Continue reading →

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Jonah and the Heidelberg Catechism

Posted on November 16, 2012 by PaulVK

What is your only comfort in life and in death? Answer. Q & A 2 Q.What must you know to live and die in the joy of this comfort? A.Three things: first, how great my sin and misery are; second, … Continue reading →

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Barbarian Kindness

Posted on November 3, 2012 by PaulVK

I had the privilege this week of presenting Christianity to a sociology class in a public university studying Myth, Ritual and Magic. I surveyed this class to see how much knowledge or experience with Christianity or the church the students … Continue reading →

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“I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision.”

Posted on October 19, 2012 by PaulVK

Muhammed had the practice of periodically retreating to a cave in the mountains surrounding Mecca for prayer and exclusion. He claims that at the age of 40 (around the year 610) he received his first revelation from God. Three years … Continue reading →

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Meaning for the Frustrated, Paul Exposes the Pretense of the Empire

Posted on October 12, 2012 by PaulVK

So what was the truth of last night’s debate between Biden and Ryan? If you scan Facebook you’ll see people posting cartoons that tend to express what thy imagined they would see before they saw it. Republicans would see Biden … Continue reading →

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