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Evangelical

2014-02-20T18:46:34-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Should Prostitution Be Legalized?

Last updated on: February 20, 2014 at 6:46 pm By Paul Louis Metzger

I oppose legalizing prostitution. While I appreciate the concern of those who believe that legalizing prostitution will bring about more favorable conditions for prostitutes, I am not convinced. In fact, I believe the opposite is the case most if not all the time (See the Prostitution Research & Education website for detailed information regarding prostitution, including resources on the effects of legalized prostitution). It is argued that legalizing prostitution will make it possible for prostitutes to come away with more income... Read more

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2014-02-19T08:07:16-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Life Together in the Land of Lewis and Clark: Reflections on Donald Miller and the Northwest Church

Last updated on: February 19, 2014 at 8:07 am By Paul Louis Metzger

This piece was originally published at Christ & Cascadia on 2/18/14. The Pacific Northwest is known in many circles as the land of Lewis and Clark. These two men were rugged trailblazers, progenitors of rugged individuals, and risk-taking entrepreneurs. Their spirit is in the air and in the variety of scents and tastes in cafes and bistros, tea rooms, and microbrew pubs. We even find their entrepreneurial spirit alive in our churches. Moreover, the same individual and entrepreneurial creativity that leads... Read more

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2014-02-18T17:52:58-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Ideological Totalitarians—Kiss and Make Up

Last updated on: February 18, 2014 at 5:52 pm By Paul Louis Metzger

Fundamentalism comes in all shapes and sizes. Not only have I met conservative Christians and Muslims who are fundamentalists, but also I have met liberal fundamentalists. A fundamentalist spirit is present in those who will not seek to collaborate with people on the other side of an issue. The fundamentalist mentality is reflected in “Take no prisoners—or else.” Here I call to mind USA TODAY religion columnist Tom Krattenmaker’s book, The Evangelicals You Don’t Know: Introducing the Next Generation of... Read more

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2014-02-22T09:41:25-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Moving Beyond Extremes to Gospel-Centered Love

Last updated on: February 22, 2014 at 9:41 am By Paul Louis Metzger

Extreme positions often get the biggest hearing. It seems like you have to be liberal or conservative or pro-choice or pro-life to get people to listen. People so easily close their ears and hearts and shut the door when complexity enters the conversation. I am pro-life. In fact, I am pro-all life. Please allow me to unpack what I mean. It is important to care for the sanctity of human life for the unborn. But what about bringing those little... Read more

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2014-02-15T09:20:34-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

On Matters of Religion Today, Is Everyone from Missouri—“Show-Me”?

Last updated on: February 15, 2014 at 9:20 am By Paul Louis Metzger

No matter where one lives today, it seems like everyone’s from Missouri—the “Show-Me” state. Missourians are often characterized as non-credulous: they are not easily convinced; sufficient evidence is required. When it comes to matters of religion today, many people are increasingly suspicious of religious claims, unless they are backed up by actions. One has to back up words with deeds. Perhaps the author of James in the New Testament was from Missouri, too. Notice how he talks about the need... Read more

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2014-02-14T08:08:27-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Is God a Child Abuser?

Last updated on: February 14, 2014 at 8:08 am By Paul Louis Metzger

Is God a child abuser? Did God pour out his wrath on his Son? If God abused his Son, what’s to say he won’t abuse us? I don’t take these questions lightly. Many theologians have claimed that Christ’s atoning work removed our sin (expiation). On their view, Christ’s death did not remove God’s wrath (propitiation), since God is not wrathful toward sin. I contend that God is wrathful toward sin. He satisfied and removed his wrath in the atoning work of... Read more

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2014-02-12T10:40:07-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Targeting “Target Audience” Language in Church Growth

Last updated on: February 12, 2014 at 10:40 am By Paul Louis Metzger

What do churches mean by talking about “target audience”? No doubt, one would have to ask each of the churches using such terms what they mean. Perhaps not all of these churches have thought through the associations often bound up with these words. This post is designed to stimulate thought on our use of such terms and what they might signify for Christian community in a market society. Here’s one question to consider prior to beginning: if one comes to the... Read more

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2014-02-12T14:46:35-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Are We Really More Than Matter? Reflections on Kant’s Two Story Universe

Last updated on: February 12, 2014 at 2:46 pm By Paul Louis Metzger

In the Critique of Pure Reason, Immanuel Kant claims that he had to deny knowledge to make room for faith through his critical philosophy. In this work, Kant sets out to challenge the metaphysicians who fail to critique pure reason and whose dogmatism he believes wars against morality (Immanuel Kant, Critique of Pure Reason, in Kant Selections, ed. Lewis White Beck, The Great Philosophers series {New York: Macmillan Publishing Company, 1988}, pp. 103-104). It is not any kind of faith... Read more

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2014-02-10T11:59:20-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

“Avatar” and the Abuse of Western Powers–More Than Fiction

Last updated on: February 10, 2014 at 11:59 am By Paul Louis Metzger

A few weeks ago, I was discussing the themes of Occident and Orient, Edward W. Said’s classic study on Orientalism, as well as colonialism, post-colonialism and globalization with a group of friends. A couple of my African colleagues encouraged me to repost the substance of the following entry from my blog at consumingjesus.org. I had made use of this entry titled “Avatar Revisited at Out of Ur” during our discussion. The post that reappears here is a response to a question concerning an article I wrote for Out of Ur regarding Pastor Mark... Read more

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2014-02-07T11:09:57-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Is It Okay to Privatize Public Beaches?

Last updated on: February 7, 2014 at 11:09 am By Paul Louis Metzger

Is it okay to privatize public beaches? I listened attentively to NPR the other night to an account of how California is fighting with a billionaire who is trying to halt the public’s access to a remarkable and remote beach. Prior to the billionaire’s purchase of the property, people were coming to Martins Beach for decades. According to California law, all beaches are public from the high-tide mark to the ocean. Martins Beach is hidden from the highway and is... Read more

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