Interrogate everything

One of the most formative experiences in this latest chapter of my life was a theological education cohort I was in a few years ago. During one of our reflection times, I identified what the key words were, for me, in the program to that point. They included terms like privilege and centering and . . . interrogating. This last one usually referred to the interrogation of previously held doctrines (“Why, exactly, do I believe in penal substitutionary atonement?"), but it is a practice I have tried to embrace in many spheres of life.

I love when the Century’s content aids in this type of self-investigation. Three such recent pieces come to mind. Amy Frykholm revisits (and learns to love) Deuteronomy 28 with all its blessings and curses. Julian DeShazier asks us to take a close look at the church’s obsession with innovation and entrepreneurship. David A. Hollinger’s new book, according to reviewer William J. Schultz, asks very hard questions about the history and future of Protestant Christianity in the US. 

No new video this week due to summer traveling and conferences. But please take a minute if you can to answer the following question... I love getting to know our readers!

Email me: What is one key word that has shaped this chapter of your journey?

Jon Mathieu
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Blessings and curses

“The kneading bowl of Deuteronomy, as I imagine it, keeps a little of every loaf that ever came from it. The oils soak into the fired clay. The sticky dough clings to the sides. Every act of kneading, forming, and baking loaves is a blessing, and one that accumulates over time.”

Reimagining how we reimagine church

“If I had a nickel for each time I’ve heard the Steve Jobs iPhone story in some faith setting to illustrate how the church needs to figure out what’s coming, I’d have enough to buy an iPhone.”

American Protestantism and what it has done

“David Hollinger speaks directly to ecumenical Protestants, calling on them to take back the ‘symbolic capital’ they yielded so freely to evangelicals.”

In the Lectionary for July 9 (Ordinary 14A)

There is a difference between work-life balance and sabbath living.

Is being adopted or fostered always traumatic?

“Acknowledging and holding negative emotions with adopted and fostered children means addressing their trauma, which often leads to talking about their birth family.”

– Haley Hudler reviews Thriving Families by Jenn Hook and Joshua Hook

Madang podcast, ep. 29: Zack Hunt, author of Godbreathed

In the latest episode of the Madang podcast, host Grace Ji-Sun Kim engages author Zack Hunt in conversation about God as She, the Council of Trent, Ezekiel and dry bones, his book Godbreathed: What It Really Means for the Bible to Be Divinely Inspired, and more.