Alan and his wife Deb and I met at Burning Man in 2010. Since then we have rubbed shoulders a number of times, but most frequently it has been in a missional space at Burning Man. That is a minor part of this conversation. The topic at hand is Alan’s disenchantment with much of the … More Wild Theology live Podcast with Alan Hirsch on post-COVID-19 Christianity
Premier Christianity Magazine in the UK, and the Church Mission Society have posted a couple things from me in the last few days. The Church Mission Society posted an interview about Halloween, Burning Man, Witches, and festival work. I was a speaker at their conference about “Mission among People who are Spiritual but not Religious”, … More Halloween Blog Post and Interview in the UK
Burning Man is happening in just a few days. Apparently, those in charge cannot imagine the event without me. I have passed on my tickets, but they keep sending me verification that my ticket will be waiting for me a Will Call when I get there. Oh my, don’t tempt me Burning Man peeps! In … More Burning Man is Just Days (and 2,945 miles) Away
There is a movement today not unlike the “Death of God” theology of the late 50’s early 60’s. One theologian would suggest that what needed to die was our perspectives on God, and another would suggest that we simply came to a place where the idea of God was no longer needed in a modern/post-modern … More Burn Religion this coming year!
The Million Student March is happening today. It feels like an extension of the Occupy movement. In fact, at UMass Amherst some students were occupying the student union building – probably because it has been raining. Websites have been running updates from the marches around the country, but it seems well under the hoped for … More Million Student March: are the mixed messages saying nothing?
One man’s culture is another man’s cult. At least that has been my experience. This is the mildly famous sign from in front of our church’s former location at The Vault in downtown Salem. I say “mildly famous,” because every tourist season people from around the world would stop, and stare at the sign. Many … More One Man’s Culture is Another Man’s Cult
The Bible is filled with erotic stories, erotic poetry, and even erotic prophetic imagery. The stories range from the criminal (the rape and murder of the Levite’s concubine, David’s adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband), to the obscene (Lot’s daughters having sex with their drunken father, the member of the Corinthian Church … More When the Erotic and the Prophetic Collide: Green Man, sonnet #42
This morning a Facebook discussion brought up a comment from Doug Murren (a fellow pastor in my previous denomination). In speaking about abusive behavior in leadership positions in Christianity, Doug said, “this has become a macro issue in the church,” and commented on the need to speak to this issue by every means possible. My … More The Self Immolation of Christian Leadership: Is this a macro issue?
This is going to be one of the harshest posts I’ve ever written. It is going to sound unforgiving to some, and vindictive to others. Yet, there are probably many of you for whom these words will be water in the desert, and a glimmer of hope in the midst of a long season … More Repentance at Mars Hill
Francis’ indictment of mafia violence and calling them to repentance with the threat of Hell, is a perfect model for some of my thoughts about navigating the space between the church and the world, especially when seen in the light of his responses to both atheists and the LGBTQ community. Perhaps Francis has now fully … More The Pope, the Mafia, Atheists, & the Gay Community
Two prominent tales are being played out in the culture of American Christianity right now. They appear unrelated, but I believe they are intimately connected to one another, and highlight the cognitive dissonance we struggle with in regards to religion. Fred Phelps, the founder and patriarch of the infamous Westboro Baptist Church and the “God … More These Twisted Stories – Phelps and Driscoll
Burning Religion 