All tagged GK Chesterton

352 Soaking in Divine Spirit (3) John Wesley—Entirely Sanctified?

352 Soaking in Divine Spirit (3) John Wesley—Entirely Sanctified?

Uncensored Unprofessor
Holy Spirit

Praise God for salvation, right? But there's still more: God wants us to become like him. Traditionally that call to personal transformation is called sanctification: the gradual process both of loving what God loves and turning away from sin. John Wesley (1703-1791) taught that instantaneous sanctification—a full and complete turning away from sin—can happen in a moment. The Spirit of God comes, Wesley held, to make us like Jesus, and that can happen in a crisis moment. In this, third, episode on the work of God's Spirit we examine Wesley's position in its historical, biblical, and theological context. I also offer a reflection on Lent, our time to walk through the wilderness, and pray a prayer for those living inside spiritual wilderness. This episode also has a Cloward-Piven update and a quick though-piece on what belief means for our minds. Come and laugh (and sing) with me!

299 God's Salvation Strategy; Tradition—Democracy of the Dead

299 God's Salvation Strategy; Tradition—Democracy of the Dead

Uncensored Unprofessor
Bible, Christian Worldview, Jesus

Concerning how God worked (works) in history, what is the constant biblical pattern? Will everyone be saved no matter what? Will only the pure in heart be saved? I examine both Genesis and John to discern the biblical template. Along the way I variously pray for children who have spurned the faith, teach about prayer using ancient words, note G.K. Chesterton's definition of tradition, muse aloud about a-historical and rootless believers, and work through some theological humor. Come think and laugh with me.

292 Shotgun: Twittering, Civilization, Apple Trees n' Faith, Scientism

292 Shotgun: Twittering, Civilization, Apple Trees n' Faith, Scientism

Uncensored Unprofessor
Sciency-Y Stuff, Current Events, Christian Worldview, The Common Good

In this shotgun show I reflect variously on the recent Twitter revelations, why free speech is necessary for civilization, a comparison of Jesus and the tree of life in Eden, and the limitations of Science. There is a growing trend of Scientism: the belief that science will solve all human problems and that science—isolated unto itself—is the final arbiter of truth and meaning. But science is, at definitional levels, incapable of measuring all manner of things that are deeply important to human beings. Let's think with nuance even while we enjoy some laughter!