Gene Edward Veith Jr.'s Blog, page 52

Going to Hell

The threat of eternal punishment–going to Hell–used to be a staple of Christian teaching.  But we don’t hear much about Hell anymore, even in conservative churches.  A new book says that without Hell, the Bible’s teachings about both sin and redemption lose their meaning. The assumption today seems to be that contemporary people cannot conceive of any […]

Judge Roy Moore wins & so does Obamacare

Senate Republicans again failed in their latest effort to kill and replace Obamacare.  And President Trump’s candidate for the Republican nomination for senator from Alabama lost to his former advisor Steve Bannon’s candidate. The latest plan, the Graham-Cassidy Bill, would have punted health care to the states.  But Senators Rand Paul, Susan Collins, and John McCain […]

Conservatives formally accuse Pope of heresy–including Lutheranism!

Sixty-two conservative Catholic theologians, priests, and academics have served Pope Francis with a formal document accusing him of teaching seven heresies.  Among them is the charge that the Pope is following the teachings of the “heresiarch” Martin Luther! The document, a 25-page annotated letter, is a “filial correction” to the Pope.  This process was last […]

Trump attacks everybody

Virtually every president has presented himself as, in the words of George W. Bush, “a uniter, not a divider.”  Many of those presidents have been divisive, but their rhetoric has always been about “bringing people together” and building “a more perfect union.”  Presidents have also been supportive, at least in their rhetoric, of American institutions. […]

Wittenberg’s Reformation of Science

Martin Luther was not the only faculty member of the University of Wittenberg to spark a revolution.  His colleague, George Joachim Rheticus, was largely responsible for promulgating the insight of Copernicus, that the earth was not the center of the universe but rather revolved around the sun.  In fact, both professors were promoting Copernican revolutions, […]

Remember when sports were unifying?

Remember when sports used to be a haven from the culture wars, a safe topic of conversation, a realm where people of all political beliefs and social standings could come together to cheer for the home team? President Trump is calling on fans to just stand up and walk out of the stadium if any player takes […]

On the Threshold: Religious Liminals

Religion surveys ask you to check a box that describes your religious beliefs.  But that would only be a snapshot of a moment in time.  More sophisticated studies are finding that religious beliefs can be fluid.  On one day, a person may believe in God.  But not on another day.  And on other days be […]

The Prosperity Gospel vs. the Theology of the Cross

Lutheran theology is pretty much the opposite of the Prosperity Gospel.

Teenagers are forswearing “adult activities” like sex & drinking

The number of teenagers who have had sex and who have tried alcohol has plummeted since 1976, especially in the last decade.  Christians will applaud that.  But they might feel differently about some of the related findings.  Getting a driver’s license, dating, and working for pay have also declined dramatically.  Apparently, teenagers are turning away from […]

Short takes

Short takes on current events:  Hurricane Maria, earthquake in Mexico City, Donald Trump takes on the UN, and Republicans try one more time to kill Obamacare.   Still More Natural Disasters.  Hurricane Maria, having devastated the island paradise of Dominica, killing at least 7, is now striking the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico.  Witnesses describe “utter […]