As we’ve made our way through this series, I’ve tried to group similar concerns and questions together to allow for as much continuity between topics as possible. But there are a number of ideas, concerns, and problems that have been raised by one group or another that don’t fit perfectly into one of our previousContinue reading “But What About…?”
Author Archives: Jonathan Dennis
History Rhymes
Mark Twain once wrote, “History does not repeat itself, but it does rhyme.” During the course of the debates surrounding my denomination’s current disagreement on the issue of same-sex attraction, those aligned with the “red line” overture have regularly styled the conflict as a “rhyme” of the conflicts over homosexuality in the PCUSA running fromContinue reading “History Rhymes”
Homosexual “Identity” and Arguments from Convenience
The only things that don’t change in life are dead.[1] I remember hearing that during a weekend retreat a few years back. I appreciated the perspective. So often we look at change as threatening and undesirable, and my personality gives those feelings a hearty, “amen”! So it was good to be reminded that change inContinue reading “Homosexual “Identity” and Arguments from Convenience”
Sanctification
Martin Luther King Jr. famously said, “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” King believed that good things take time, and he paid for that belief. Many of King’s fellow activists felt a great frustration toward his patience and desire to work toward the ministry of sanctification. King wantedContinue reading “Sanctification”
On Super Sins
Is Homosexual desire fundamentally different than all other sinful desires? This is the question at the heart of our current issue. It was not the presenting question two years ago when these conversations began.[1] It wasn’t a question I expected to ever be talking about when I joined the denomination seventeen years ago. But itContinue reading “On Super Sins”
What Are We Talking About?
What is love? No, I’m not setting you up for a reference to the popular 90s dance song of the same name. I’m pointing out the importance of definitions. Much of our culture defines love as good feelings, sexual intimacy, or emotional connectedness. But as Christians, we’d say that all of these have some elementContinue reading “What Are We Talking About?”
What Does it Mean to be Heard?
The Presbyterian Plumbline’s Call for an Unobstructed Platform This one is going to be an “inside baseball” post. If the first couple paragraphs don’t make sense, feel free to ignore and move on and the Lord bless you and keep you. If you’re an EPC TE, RE, or member who is moderately aware of theContinue reading “What Does it Mean to be Heard?”
Having Hard Conversations
For what does it gain a movement if it acquires all the power while forfeiting it’s soul? [Originally posted on 1/10/2021] I’ve been thinking about what to say for days now. What happened Wednesday at the US Capitol was terrible. But there are much smarter, more experienced men and women than I commenting on that.Continue reading “Having Hard Conversations”
The Echo Chamber
I just listened to a really interesting piece of journalism, interviewing and taking soundbites from pastors across the spectrum of the recent fracturing of American evangelicalism. The line that jumped out to me most was from far-right (vaccines are fake, Biden is a pedophile, etc.) pastor Greg Locke. He was giving evidence of why heContinue reading “The Echo Chamber”
The Rise and Fall of Urban Meyer
I love sports. I love playing all sorts of sports, I’ve been involved in competitive leagues for sports as diverse as volleyball, softball, basketball, badminton, and ice skating. But I’m far from being an athlete. So I appreciate deeply those who are. I love watching the best of the best accomplishing incredible feats of athleticism.Continue reading “The Rise and Fall of Urban Meyer”