Monday, July 30, 2007
An Old Paper - The Kingdom of God
Back in 1998 I decided to do what essentially became my Master’s thesis. Thanks to the guidance of Dr. Darrell Guder, who is a brilliant missional theologian, I wrote the following paper focused on a) understanding what we mean by the Kingdom of God b) seeing if that is the correct template to understand success for our mission’s projects and c) which authors get closest to the Kingdom in their mission theology.
New Testament Studies - From Christopher's Teachings • Permalink
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Well, I finished the book late Sunday, after staying up late both Friday and Saturday to try and make progress. What do I think? And what do I think of those who have already commented?
Friday, July 20, 2007
Harry is Coming, Harry is Coming
So, tonight at 12:01, Harry is going to find out his fate. I was not one of those who bought into the Harry phenomenon from the beginning because I hate cool trends. But after seeing the first film I had to admit I liked the characters. But it was after I read the essay on Harry Potter from Wheaton College English Professor Alan Jacobs, where he talked about how great the series was, he convinced me to give it a real try.
Birthday’s and PhD’s
Just a quick note to say, today is my Birthday! I am now 37 and feeling older than I did a few years ago. But, as important as age is, more important, and I have not updated the website to show this, I am now Dr. Christopher Morton (as of April 26 of 2007). Age is not a problem unless you are not growing into your calling and your full identity.
What comes next? What will Dr. Morton do in the future? Stay tuned for updates.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
What is wrong with America the Michael Vick case
I am a self-described sports fan, who listens to ESPN radio on a regular basis. I am sometimes asked by people whether, as a theologian and a Christian, I should dedicate so much of my brain to useless topics like who was the starting noseguard for the Denver Broncos in the last super bowl they lost (Greg Kragen) or who hit the game-winning walk-off homerun in the 7th game of the 1960 World Series (Bill Mazerowski).
While they have a point perhaps on the general element of wasting too much time and energy on sports which is after all a diversion part of the reason I do pay so much attention is that sports is often the safer place where the struggles of America are played out where our best is seen (Cal Ripken and Jackie Robinson) and our worst is seen (the fall of boxing in America ending with Mike Tyson trying to eat Evander Holyfield). Which brings us to Michael Vick.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Defeatacrats or DefeataRepublicans
I am going to post on the major happenings in England during my time away. But since I have been back all I have heard from the Democrats how the war in Iraq is lost and from the Republicans how the 2008 elections are lost. Yikes. Here is one of the best examples of this, from Hugh Hewitt’s website co-writers, Dean Barnett
http://hughhewitt.townhall.com/g/a3cd1b58-c04e-4a0c-a966-7bfaed634cd6
Now, I am not an optomist or blind to reality. After the immigration mess, one wonders whether the Republican Party is in any better shape than the British Tories or the Canadian Conservatives in mid 1990s (did I mentioned that Stephen Harper the Conservative leaders in now Canadian PM?). History shows us that the future is rarely a straight line from where we are to the future. But we seem to always assume this, and I also think we do forget that George Bush, like Lyndon Johnson in 1968, is not going to be on the ballot (though the Dems lost that election, it was razor thin).
Anyways, what is my advise?
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Christology that Matters - Post #2 - Who is this God
Last week I posted the first of what I hope to be a long ongoing series, I wrote about why we really should care and study what it means to say that Jesus is fully God and fully man. You can find that first post here:
This week I begin to talk about the divine person who lives in Jesus. In particular, how is the Son related to the God we meet elsewhere in scripture.
On Fairness, on Evan, and on Barack and Religion
I could write on the surger (lots of death, lots of violence, and the future still up in the air) or on immigration (have backers won the votes in the Senate, and if they do, will they have votes in the House). But this week there are three issues that get to the core of my passions.
The Revival of the Fairness Act
The new Movie Evan Almighty
And Baraks speech at the UCC convention
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
The Iraq War - The Most Important Article to Date
Few Issues disgust Americans more than the War in Iraq. Everyone agrees that the removal of Saddam was a good thing. Though many wish we would never have gone in. It is now “Mr. Bush’s war” which is to some extent true.
However, the point where we could say “we shouldnt have done that” is past. I am almost alone in still supporting the war among my friends, because I do not think of it as Mr. Bush’s war, but as a war for the Iraqi people, most of whom want peace.
Regardless of your position on the war, do yourself a favour. Read today’s post from the journalist and ex-military man Michael Yon. This is the most important article that has been written on Iraq to date, and you owe it to yourself to read it, and then have others do likewise. And if you can afford a few coins, support Yon in his terrific work.
See the article at: http://www.michaelyon-online.com/wp/be-not-afraid.htm
Christology - A New Series by Me - Post #1 - Why Christology Really Matters
This website is above all things the writings (or is it ravings) of a theologian. While I care deeply (and believe I can speak intelligently) on a wide range of issues from politics, to economics, to foreign policy and most of all history I am first and foremost a theologian. So, from now on I am going to be doing a few more straight theological postings.
The Week in Review - Gaza, the BEEB, and Baseball Ticket Prices
An important week but one where the meaning of the events is not clear because time has not yet shown how things will shake up.
This week we have the take over of Gaza by the Iranian backed Hamas
The BBC is discovered to be overwhelmingly liberal
And denver sports writers and talk show host complain about Rockie ticket prices
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Why I have not posted on the 2008 elections
I have a lot of passions, theology being first and foremost, but politics also is part of my passion set. And yet, not one post on the elections of 2008. Why?
A Tax to Support - Global Warming Approach’s without Government Control
National Review (yes, its conservative, but it is intellectually serious) has many blogs, the Corner being the best. But they have one devoted to the topic of global warming. Its called, yes, Planet Gore.
Well today there is a post referring to an article that should be read.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Random Thoughts for the Week Ending June 10, 2007 - Paris, Immigration, and Global Warming
Sorry for the delay in posting and in the delay for this particular weeks’ posting. I will shoot for Saturday or Sunday in the future
Paris Hilton, Sign of the Apocolypse?
Look, I am a Christian theologian, not a gossip columinist. The young lady (is she really 26 now) is in prison, after a DUI, parole violation, put in, let out, and a media circus to end all circuses. What is the big deal about her? Okay, yes, the sex video - which I have not seen. Personally, I do not find her at all attractive, but then I have never been a blond guy (of course, I dont’ find Lindsey Lohan attractive either, and I have been in the past a red head guy).
All of this is irrelevant. What is relevant is the attention she is guessing. Last Friday (alas, I lost the picture), amid real news including the changing of our Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (in wartime and to avoid a political fight) the most any news story had (articles wise) was 1,400. The news of General Pace’s replacement was under 1000 news stories. But Paris was getting over 3900 news stories. Dont tell me this is notwrong.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Why Slow Blogging as Been Par for the Course
Sorry that blogging has been so light. The Roving Theologian’s health has simply been in the dumper for pretty much all of 2007. Add to that three kids, including one still toddling along at 14 months, and the fact that the largest part of my job is writing and researching, and well, this has been the one thing to suffer. Here is to trying to comment at least 20 minutes each day.
