Numerous books have been published in recent years addressing challenging passages in the Old Testament. Many of them have focused on the Israelite conquest of Canaan, while others discuss a palette of “problems.” In this post I review three books that engage these challenges. I especially consider how they handle violence in the Old Testament. […]
Three Reviews: Ethics and Old Testament Violence Read More »
One of my research interests, and one I am currently writing on for publication for Eerdmans, is the origins, nature, and useful interpretation of Scripture. Well, I guess that is more like three research interests! But I like to contemplate them together, as they intertwine. Origins helps us to know what the Bible is and
Divine Scripture in Human Understanding by Joseph Gordon Read More »
I first became captivated by the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises while going through my spiritual direction training program about ten years ago. I was drawn to this 500 year old contemplation on the life of Jesus that invites us to discern God’s path for our lives. When doctoral studies took me to Marquette University, a Jesuit
The Jesus Way: Practicing the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises Read More »
John Webster provides a helpful contribution to the discussion on the inspiration of the Bible in Holy Scripture: A Dogmatic Sketch. He provides a much needed look at the role of the Holy Spirit (pneumatology) that is missing in some of the discussions on the nature of Scripture. Webster roots his views of Scripture in
Holy Scripture: A Dogmatic Sketch by John Webster Read More »
In Inspiration and Incarnation: Evangelicals and the Problem of the Old Testament. Peter Enns proposes an incarnational model for understanding how the Bible was inspired by God. Just as Jesus is 100% divine and 100% human, so also the Bible is both divine and human (17). Jesus was “God with us.” Even though he is
Inspiration and Incarnation by Peter Enns Read More »
During Lent this year, death hovered near. My friend Bill, a beloved pastor in the community, underwent chemo for an unexpected brain tumor. The spouse of someone I provide spiritual care for was suddenly hospitalized. And well-known Christian writer, Rachel Held Evans was placed in a medically induced coma after the flu took a dangerous
When Death Comes Too Soon Read More »
In his book, Sacred Word Broken Word, Kenton Sparks proposes an “adoptionist” model for understanding how God speaks to us in Scripture. He writes, “Scripture is God’s Word because God providentially adopted ancient human beings, like Paul, as his spokespersons. In doing so God ‘set apart’ or ‘sanctified’ their words for use in his redemptive
Sacred Word, Broken Word by Kenton Sparks Read More »
The foremost scholar on ethics in ancient Israel recently published a book on the topic entitled (unsurprisingly) Ethics in Ancient Israel. John Barton has been working in the realm of ethics and the Old Testament since his dissertation days in the 1970s. His latest book is a much needed and valuable contribution to biblical studies.
Ethics in Ancient Israel Read More »
Recently, Dr. James McGrath, invited me onto his podcast, Religion Prof, to discuss my new book Scripture, Ethics, and the Possibility of Same-Sex Relationships. McGrath is Clarence L. Goodwin Chair in New Testament Language and Literature at Butler University. In addition to hosting a podcast he also blogs regularly on a wide spectrum of topics
Podcast: James McGrath Talks with Karen Keen About the Bible and Sexuality Read More »
I am pleased that Preston Sprinkle continued our dialogue by responding to my last post. As with his initial review, I enjoyed reading his second post on my book Scripture, Ethics, and the Possibility of Same-Sex Relationships. What I appreciate about these conversations is that they help us to wrestle deeply with theology and biblical
Part 2: Dialogue with Preston Sprinkle on Same-Sex Relationships Read More »
Several years ago, I was walking down the street on an ordinary day when suddenly a thought inserted itself out of the blue: What if there is no God? Given that I was not pondering the subject at the time, the intruding thought felt strangely self-animating. But rather than disturbing me, I felt relieved. My
Doubt: When You Are Not Sure What to Believe Read More »
A few weeks ago, I had a brief e-mail exchange with Preston Sprinkle. I had sent him a copy of my book, Scripture, Ethics, and the Possibility of Same-Sex Relationships, with a note saying that even though we disagree I appreciate his civil engagement on the subject. He replied saying he had already ordered the
