Bryan Berghoef's Blog, page 7
October 14, 2013
Columbus Day: A Day to Remember Genocide?
Is Columbus Day one to celebrate? Commemorate perhaps. Soberly reflect on, yes.
But celebrate? I'm not so sure.
That has been highlighted memorably by the Oatmeal in a cartoon that has gone viral on Social Media. If you read only one thing today, make sure it’s that one.
The question, though, remains: even though some awful things happened in the Americas, at the hands of Columbus and many others, can it justifiably be labeled genocide?
CAST YOUR VOTE Continue reading →
But celebrate? I'm not so sure.
That has been highlighted memorably by the Oatmeal in a cartoon that has gone viral on Social Media. If you read only one thing today, make sure it’s that one.
The question, though, remains: even though some awful things happened in the Americas, at the hands of Columbus and many others, can it justifiably be labeled genocide?
CAST YOUR VOTE Continue reading →
September 23, 2013
Crime and Punishment
We’ve been looking at atonement theories over the past few weeks: When Jesus Died - A Conversation on Atonement, Wonder-Working Pow'r, and A Soothing Aroma.
The big question is: how do we understand/interpret Jesus’ death? This might seem a merely academic debate that should stay behind church doors between some old, dusty theologians. But I’m interested in the issues because there are societal and cultural realities that are shaped and guided by certain theological views - and this impacts a...
The big question is: how do we understand/interpret Jesus’ death? This might seem a merely academic debate that should stay behind church doors between some old, dusty theologians. But I’m interested in the issues because there are societal and cultural realities that are shaped and guided by certain theological views - and this impacts a...
September 9, 2013
Practicing Theology Without a Net: Theology Pubs, Spiritual Direction, and Letting Go
Guest post by Keith Anderson.
Lately, I've been practicing a lot of what I have been thinking of as theology without a net.
Theology without a net happens in public spaces. It does not involve a presentation, PowerPoint slides, or a written text. It does not rely on the expert knowledge of professional ministry-types.
It does not offer or promise neat answers. It is an ongoing conversation, which is shaped by whoever shows up that day. It is responsive, not leading. It listens more than speak...
Lately, I've been practicing a lot of what I have been thinking of as theology without a net.
Theology without a net happens in public spaces. It does not involve a presentation, PowerPoint slides, or a written text. It does not rely on the expert knowledge of professional ministry-types.
It does not offer or promise neat answers. It is an ongoing conversation, which is shaped by whoever shows up that day. It is responsive, not leading. It listens more than speak...
August 29, 2013
A Soothing Aroma – Atonement, part 3
This is the third in a series of posts about atonement: When Jesus Died
Today I want to get into the background of sacrifice in ancient Israelite practice. Stephen Finlan, professor of NT at Seton Hall and Fordham (and whose work inspires much of this post) notes that "For many centuries, sacrificial practice and interpretation in Israel resembled that of Israel's neighbors: Canaanites, Moabites, Babylonians and others."
A sacrifice often involved the killing of an animal, most often a bull,...
Today I want to get into the background of sacrifice in ancient Israelite practice. Stephen Finlan, professor of NT at Seton Hall and Fordham (and whose work inspires much of this post) notes that "For many centuries, sacrificial practice and interpretation in Israel resembled that of Israel's neighbors: Canaanites, Moabites, Babylonians and others."
A sacrifice often involved the killing of an animal, most often a bull,...
August 28, 2013
We must stand, and we must speak
Excerpted from Martin Luther King Jr's sermon, "Why I Am Opposed to the War in Vietnam" at the Ebenezer Baptist Church on April 30, 1967. If you can only read one thing today - I urge you to read not just what I've excerpted here, but read or listen to the entire sermon. We need this kind of straight-forward, truth-to-power, love-filled preaching today.
I preach to you today on the war in Vietnam because my conscience leaves me with no other choice. The time has come for America to hear the t...
I preach to you today on the war in Vietnam because my conscience leaves me with no other choice. The time has come for America to hear the t...
August 27, 2013
Pub Theology Live-Tweet
Tonight at our regular Pub Theology DC gathering, we'll be LIVE TWEETING - you can join us in person, at the Bier Baron at , or you can jump in on the conversation via Twitter using #pubtheology. Be sure to follow me (@bryberg) and (@pubtheology). Here are the topics we'll be discussing:
If you could name the street you live on what would you call it?
if you received an extra burrito when ordering at your local shop would you say something?
True or false: We should be wary of any efforts to i...
If you could name the street you live on what would you call it?
if you received an extra burrito when ordering at your local shop would you say something?
True or false: We should be wary of any efforts to i...
August 26, 2013
Wonder-Working Pow’r
Part two in a series on Atonement. Read part one here: When Jesus Died.
I've recently been reading a book, "Problems with Atonement." Some might say, "Problems? What problems? Is there a problem?" Or even: "There isn't a problem."
The traditional view is that humanity has a problem: sin, and God solves it: Jesus dies on the cross. It's a concept many of us learned in Sunday school, and perhaps haven't thought much about since. In other words, because we grew up with it - it is harder for us t...
I've recently been reading a book, "Problems with Atonement." Some might say, "Problems? What problems? Is there a problem?" Or even: "There isn't a problem."
The traditional view is that humanity has a problem: sin, and God solves it: Jesus dies on the cross. It's a concept many of us learned in Sunday school, and perhaps haven't thought much about since. In other words, because we grew up with it - it is harder for us t...
August 23, 2013
Top Blogs – vote for PubTheologian.com!
Hi friends-
Christian Piatt is rounding up a list of the Top Christian Blogs - it would be great if you'd consider voting for PubTheologian.com!
I've been out of the loop a bit the last month or so, but our new series on atonement is up and running (next post very soon!), and I anticipate posts upcoming on climate change, homosexuality, immigration, violence, top new beers I've enjoyed, as well as Pub Theology recaps.
VOTE HERE!
Thanks for your vote, and for being a reader here at pubtheologi...
Christian Piatt is rounding up a list of the Top Christian Blogs - it would be great if you'd consider voting for PubTheologian.com!
I've been out of the loop a bit the last month or so, but our new series on atonement is up and running (next post very soon!), and I anticipate posts upcoming on climate change, homosexuality, immigration, violence, top new beers I've enjoyed, as well as Pub Theology recaps.
VOTE HERE!
Thanks for your vote, and for being a reader here at pubtheologi...
August 19, 2013
When Jesus Died: A Conversation on Atonement
I’ve decided to start attempt to cultivate a conversation – via a series of posts – on atonement. I’d love your thoughts, comments and reflects on the topic – as well as any links or references to talks, articles, and posts that have helped your understanding of the issue.
I’ll begin with a few questions:
What did happen when Jesus died?
Does true forgiveness require someone to suffer?
Does God require a blood sacrifice to be appeased?
Was there a metaphysical transaction by which his blood r...
I’ll begin with a few questions:
What did happen when Jesus died?
Does true forgiveness require someone to suffer?
Does God require a blood sacrifice to be appeased?
Was there a metaphysical transaction by which his blood r...
August 14, 2013
Like Water Off a Goose’s Back
So we loaded the kids, our mammoth tent, and some food (and beer!) into the van last Thursday and headed off to the hills of North Carolina. We were ready to hit the third annual Wild Goose Festival.
We arrived at Hot Springs, NC to discover puddles, mud and —smiles. Hundreds of people setting up camp, giving directions, prepping stages and venues, setting up craft booths, plucking guitar strings, and more. Despite the deluge of rain the night before, and the forecasted rain (which did come),...
We arrived at Hot Springs, NC to discover puddles, mud and —smiles. Hundreds of people setting up camp, giving directions, prepping stages and venues, setting up craft booths, plucking guitar strings, and more. Despite the deluge of rain the night before, and the forecasted rain (which did come),...
