So Easy...

I just busted up when I saw this doctored Geico add. The Cavemen adds are probably my all-time favorite commercials. It was a terrible sitcom that I had great hopes for, but in short doses they're the best. Many of my Christian friends are Calvinists, and big fans of Jon Piper, who is the morphed caveman preacher in the picture. The add polks fun at two theological positions that are central in Calvinism (and that Lutherans like myself disagree with): Double-Predestination, and in lieu of this, limited atonement (i.e. Jesus ONLY died for the sins of the elect). While I don't normally use this blog to get too preachy, I found the combination of theology and pop-culture wed into something really funny.

Footloose for a Footnote - Modern Reformation

For the last 15 years, Modern Reformation has been my favorite theological journal. The articles are always timely, written by pastor/scholars, and even if I don’t always agree, they at least get me thinking. Back in the spring my pastor, Rev. John Bombaro, was asked to contribute an article answering the question, “Can Orthodoxy be Missional?” He asked me how I would answer the question, and I gave him a few brief ideas as well as a couple of scriptures, and next thing you know, we’re sitting around the table late one night sipping on some very nice port (one of our elders sells high-end wine, which is a nice perk) mapping out the article.

Well Sunday I was in the pastor’s study going over last minute details of the service and putting on my little lapel mic and I spotted an advance copy. I was happy to see that MR published the article in full and that my pastor gave me a footnote acknowledgement right above a footnote of John Calvin, which is pretty cool.

The whole volume is absolutely great. Not only is it chock full of good articles, but the presentation gets better and better each year MR has been in existence. My hats off to Dr. Horton, Eric Landry, Patricia Anders, and to Lori Cook (for her design and layout).

If you or your church don’t have a subscription, I would highly recommend it as this is a ministry well worth your support.

C.S. Lewis

One of my favorite writers of all time is C.S. Lewis. He is that rare combination of artist, apologist, philosopher and lay theologian whose writings inspire thought and stir imagination. The latest Lutheran Theological Review put out by Concordia Theological Seminary up in St. Catherines, Canada has dedicated much of its volume 19 to Lewis. It's an interesting read.