Difficult religious questions

At Faulkner University, we have daily chapel.  Well, Monday through Thursday chapel.  On Tuesdays last semester and this semester, we have breakout chapels throughout campus based on majors or certain topics.  In the V. P. Black College of Biblical Studies this semester our theme has been "Tough Religious Questions."  I have been helping another professor select the topics and speakers, but we didn't choose theme.  One problem we have had is how do you handle a difficult religious question in 15 minutes, which is basically what our speakers have to develop their thoughts.  All of our speakers have done a good job discussing topics like the existence of evil, the hiddenness of God, whether God uses evil, the relationship of men and women in the home, and same-sex attraction.  We have more good speakers and topics coming up on Christians and politics and worship.  If I had thought more ahead, I might have developed this blog earlier so that speakers could post more information to further develop their thoughts.  But, you can't change the past.

I am going to be speaking about instrumental music in worship in a couple of weeks.  Now, for most people in the larger world of Christianity, this isn't an issue but an accepted practice.  But in Churches of Christ (the religious group I am a part of), we have traditionally been a capella until recently when some Churches of Christ have started incorporating instrumental services.  In the next couple of posts I want to address why this is a difficult religious question and what might be the answer to it.

To begin, though, there are bigger questions that need to be addressed.  Does God care about what human beings do in worship?  If he does, how do we figure out what pleases God and what is acceptable worship?  Christians throughout the centuries have differed over these questions, but is this a place where Christians can differ and as long as they are doing it to the glory of God and Christ it is ok?

These are important questions that Christians must answer.  Obviously, if you don't believe in God or don't believe the Bible contains the word of God, this isn't a big issue.  But if you believe the Bible at the very least contains some parts that come from God that are applicable for all time, then you have to decide how you determine what is applicable for all time and how you make the leap from the Bible in its historical context and Christian life in the twenty-first century.

I will say more at another time, but for now, I close with this.  Too often we blithely go about our approach to this that doesn't lead to consistently applying scripture but applying it in ways that lead to us applying it the way we want and not necessarily the way we should.

Conversations of faith

With the plethora of views and opinions out there, especially about religion, in one sense it might be useless to add another voice.  But, I think that I have some unique ideas that hopefully will find a place for a hearing.  There are a couple of reasons for this.  First, I am an assistant professor of Christian history at Faulkner University.  My academic background is in American religious history, and I have a Ph.D. from Florida State University.  I am also the author of Homespun Gospel: The Triumph of Sentimentality in American Evangelicalism.  Second, in addition to my academic credentials, I have served as a full time minister and have a seminary-like education as well.

I have several purposes for writing this blog.  First, it is entitled "conversations" because that's what I would like to have.  There's too much debate and invective online and not enough civility and conversation.  Second, I use the phrase "of faith" in two ways.  One, "of faith" as in "about faith."  My major focus will be on issues connected to religion.  Not that other topics aren't worthwhile, but I plan on focusing on those issues that relate to how human being make sense out of ultimate questions of meaning.  Two, "of faith" in the sense of coming from a position of having a faith.  There are certainly places for bracketing questions related to truth or falsity in religion and for trying to withholding one's personal position to examine religious people.  But, not for me and not here.  I intend these conversations for my part to come from my personal commitments to Christianity.  I hope not to do this in a judgmental way--remember these are conversations--but I do believe there are some things true about Christianity, and I do believe in truth.

Who do I hope reads this blog?  Anyone interested in having a conversation about religion or issues related to religion.  All are welcome to comment, but I will moderate the comments.  Not because of making sure only those which agree with me get posted but so that spam or a lack of civility doesn't interrupt those who are serious about the conversation.  If you are serious about the conversation, welcome.  If you are looking to troll, consider the comment section at CNN's Belief Blog.  There are plenty there who you can annoy.  Feel free to suggest discussions as well.  I am open to suggestions.