John G. Stackhouse Jr.'s Blog, page 16

Canadian Politicians, Who Are You, Really?

“I’m a good Catholic, but I disagree with the pope.” There have been Roman Catholic Christians differing with papal pronouncements for centuries, but the modern watershed moment occurred in 1968. Shortly after the remarkable innovations of the Second Vatican Council … Continued

It’s Time to Play “Political Catchphrase Bingo”!

Ah, you who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! (The Prophet Isaiah 5:20) So the writ has dropped and the Canadian federal election is officially on. Are you … Continued

Christianity and Other Religions: Clarifying Terms & Issues

I know: that’s a boring title. But an essay I wrote almost twenty years ago still seems at least occasionally useful to bring some clarity to terms in the discussion of how Christians are to understand other religions, the destiny … Continued

Evangelicals, World Religions, and the Destiny of the Unevangelized: What Is “Inclusivism”?

Some years ago–actually, a quarter-century ago, I first ventured into print on these subjects by way of a review article of new books by the late Clark Pinnock and John Sanders. Since the original publication is very hard to obtain … Continued

Muslims and Christians in North America: Some ABCs

An American friend who is an expert on contemporary Christian-Muslim relations recently served on a panel as the sole Christian representative. The first question he was asked: “Why do evangelicals hate Muslims?” I’m sympathetic with the questioner. Some evangelicals do … Continued

“I (Don’t) Like the Leader” Isn’t the Way to Vote

Sadly, of course, both political parties and the political press insist on characterizing modern elections in just this way. Leaders, not parties or platforms, are placed front and centre in all messaging, while elections are described as tournaments among single … Continued

Spirituality and the Spa: How Did Self-Indulgence Become Impressive?

The New York Times recently featured a meditation on “The New Spiritual Consumerism: On shows like ‘Queer Eye,’ makeovers, shopping and redecorating are presented as deeply meaningful.” Amanda Hess tartly comments on the remedies offered by the show’s makeover gurus: “Their salves … Continued

What Stephen Colbert and Anderson Cooper Didn’t Ask

Many, many people have enjoyed watching the most recent conversation (there have been several others on camera) between CNN host Anderson Cooper and late-night talk-show host Stephen Colbert. During this wide-ranging discussion, Cooper brings up the death of his mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, … Continued

Cracks in the Darwinist Wall

Maverick computer scientist David Gelernter set off a grenade in the faculty dining room last spring. His essay, “Giving Up Darwin,” published in the Claremont Review of Books, testifies (and the religious connotation of “testify” is appropriate here) to his de-conversion … Continued

Marianne Williamson and the Perennial American Delusion

In the run-up to the last American presidential election, the Republican Party surprised us all by featuring among its large field of primary hopefuls a candidate who seemed utterly unsuited for politics while incarnating certain extreme American traits and articulating … Continued