Stephen H. Webb, author of some excellent books on Christianity, food, and animals, reviews a book advocating a kosher diet(!) for Christians. Webb deems the author, Hope Egan, a “neo-Ebionite.” Egan argues, rather strangely, that the dietary laws from Leviticus are still in force for Christians, apparently, at least in part, because they represent the…

Interesting (if cursory) article on N.T. Wright and the “new perspective” on Paul from the Wall Street Journal: [Wright] contends that the leaders of the Protestant Reformation–Martin Luther especially–misread St. Paul on the subject of justification by faith. A self-described Reformed theologian, he proposes nothing less than a reformation of the Reformation, 500 years on–and…

Mark LeVine writes that the Christian Peacemaker Teams, several members of which are currently being held hostage in Iraq, are a model of what the anti-war movement should be about. (See Leaving Muenster for updates on the CPT hostages.)

That’s what Miroslav Volf asks about the rhetoric of the Christian Right (and Left).

Lutheran theologian Ted Peters states the obvious (or, at least I always thought it was pretty obvious): I hang out with those so-called theistic evolutionists. We tend to think scientists are pretty smart. In fact, many of my colleagues are research scientists, even evolutionary biologists. We are convinced that the neo-Darwinian model of random genetic…

The story that several of the larger evangelical megachurches are opting not to have services on Christmas this year has been making the rounds, provoking quite a bit of outrage that they are selling out to the culture and promoting an “idolatry of the family” (see this Internet Monk post for a good collection of…

From Slate (via the Japery): A study says people who have one alcoholic drink a day are 54 percent less obesity-prone than teetotalers are. (But those with four or more drinks a day are 46 percent more obesity-prone.) Another study indicates that among people who weigh too much or drink too much alcohol, those who…

In addition to having a reputation for generosity and gift-giving, St. Nicholas (of Myrna) is said to have put the smack down on heresy – literally – at the Council of Nicea. According to legend, jolly ‘ol St. Nick clocked Arius in the face for denying Jesus’ divinity! According to Wikipedia: Nicholas was kicked out…

Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast…

Today I saw a book on the bargain shelf of the local bookstore called The Secret Sayings of Jesus. Turns out it was just a translation of the Gospel of Thomas, but it made me wonder how much of the demand for “secret,” “hidden,” “gnostic” or esoteric information about and/or teachings of Jesus is really…