John G. Stackhouse Jr.'s Blog, page 26

Did God Choose President Trump?

[This is a re-posting of my contribution to “Context with Lorna Dueck” from February 24, 2017.] The inauguration of President Donald Trump was replete with prayers, scripture readings, exhortations, and benedictions by clergy from various Christian denominations and other religions … Continued

Successful–or Merely Popular?

[Alas, my friends over at “Context with Lorna Dueck” haven’t come up with an archive yet of my posts there. So I’ll keep posting them here to “catch up” over the next month or so–almost a year’s worth. This one … Continued

Yes, but What about That?

There’s nothing like social media, and particularly Facebook and Twitter, to see how people’s minds work. Or don’t. If one can step back and not get triggered/incensed/murderous about what people choose to say in reply to someone’s tweet or post, … Continued

Giveaway!

Goodreads Book Giveaway Why You're Here by John G. Stackhouse Jr. Giveaway ends January 31, 2018. See the giveaway details at Goodreads. Enter Giveaway

As New Year’s Eve Approaches…

…here are some previous posts occasioned by a new year dawning: What Will We Want Jesus to Want from Us? History Matters Christmas Thoughts toward New Year’s Eve Give God What He Wants

Liberals Acting Illiberally

The Liberal government of Canada recently announced new terms for the Canada Summer Jobs program (CSJ), and they are alarming. Along with requiring any participating organization to adhere to Canadian law, which of course they (redundantly) should, the program newly … Continued

Come, Thou Not-Expected Jesus

That first Christmas night, the shepherds on that Judean hillside were properly terrified by the Identified Flying Object blazing above them. They weren’t learned men steeped in the Hebrew scriptures, but any Jewish kid knew that when an angel shows … Continued

I’m Sorry, Patton Oswalt, but We Have to Pick

I’ve seen Patton Oswalt in lots of movies and TV shows, and so have you: “The King of Queens,” “Magnolia,” “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” “United States of Tara,” and many more. And we’ve heard him, too, as the narrator on “The … Continued

If You Have to Preach This Week…

Here is a list of some previous seasonal posts:   Help for Busy Advent/Christmas Preachers    

Ravi Zacharias and the Case of Christian Credential Inflation

If you listen to podcasts, you might want to take in this one. Christianity Today interviewed me recently and thus let me explain in some detail why I think Christian speakers, and apologists in particular, must be scrupulous about their/our academic credentials, … Continued