The first parable comes from the Judy Canova Show. It was a radio comedy program from the 1940s. The humor, especially little skits that are supposed to be drawn from Judy's childhood, embrace a certain "hillbilly humor." This is a story loosely based on a one-off joke in one of these skits. It is funny …
Continue reading Uncle Clem Fell Down in the Well— Two Parables
Many, many years ago, I was an mechanical engineering student at the University of Buffalo (SUNY at Buffalo). One of my professor's was named Dr. Isada. Despite the Japanese name, he was Filipino, with a relatively strong accent and infectious laugh, and was at that time nearing retirement. I liked him as a teacher. I …
Continue reading Exactly Where He Was Supposed To Be— a story
The following quote is in response to charges made by Celsus, a pagan philosopher, against Christianity. (By the way, Celsus's work is actually a very interesting read... strong recommendation.) This is part of the response from Origen of Alexandrai (185-253AD, more or less): But since he is manifestly guilty of falsehood in the statements which …
The man finally arrived at the address he was given. It was a long trip and he was cold, wet, and tired. This was his inheritance, deeded over to him. He knew he was in the will, that he would get something, but what a surprise it was to find that it was a house …
Inter-religious Dialogue (IRD) is often looked at critically, or straight-up negatively by Evangelicals. I teach a course called “Dialogue with Asian Faiths” and for me, I take the title seriously. It is about dialogue (two-way) conversation with people of other faiths--- especially the great world religions that have their origin in Asia (which is pretty …
Continue reading Reasons for an Evangelist to Take IRD Seriously
I have long struggled with defining (Christian) Missions and (Christian) Missionary. I don't really have a problem with modern formulations of "Mission." I find the Missio Dei understanding of Mission in terms of God's overall plan of ministry in the world is pretty good (there are of course different specific flavors of the definition). However, …
I have been reading a book--- Jerome: His Life, Writings and Controversies, by J.N.D. Kelly. Jerome is... complex. He has done some great things, such as recognize and support the importance, especially in the Western Church, of taking Biblical languages (1st Century Greek, and ancient Hebrew) seriously in both translation and interpretation. However, in his …
I like to tell people that my favorite answer to questions, "I don't know." And I think that is a good answer. -It is honest. No one knows everything and no one knows as much as we think we do. -It leads to discussion. Giving a direct answer often ends conversation, or leads to argument. …