A Thinking Reed

  • What does it mean to ask whether Christians and Muslims worship “the same God”?

    Occasionally controversy arises as to whether Christians and Muslims worship “the same God.” (See here for an example.) I don’t find this to be a particularly helpful way of putting the issue: presumably there is, at most, one God, so asking whether two groups of people worship the “same God” must be shorthand for something…

  • Insomnium, “One for Sorrow”

  • Davy Jones, R.I.P.

    I’d be betraying my childhood if I didn’t note with sadness the passing of Davy Jones. I loved The Monkees TV show as a kid–I used to watch it every day after school on WPGH-53 out of Pittsburgh, which showed it in syndication. And the first album I bought with my own money was a…

  • What ails the mainline? (part the millionth)

    A speech Rick Santorum made in 2008 has resurfaced in which he laments Satanic influence on many of the institutions in America. In addition to raising the alarm about the usual bogeyman of liberal academia, he opined that mainline Protestantism “is in shambles [and] gone from the world of Christianity.” This is of course nothing…

  • L. William Countryman on gender equality

    There’s been quite a bit of discussion lately in the Christian blogosphere and twitterverse about sex and gender roles, stimulated in part by comments from high-profile preachers like John Piper and Mark Driscoll. Unfortunately, the view that gender hierarchy (or “complementarianism” as its proponents call it) is an essential component of the gospel seems to…

  • Megadeth, “Peace Sells”

    At Marvin’s request… Expect to hear it at Santorum campaign rallies any day now.

  • On the death of a cat

    Two poems: On the Death of a Cat By Christina Rossetti Who shall tell the lady’s grief When her Cat was past relief? Who shall number the hot tears Shed o’er her, belov’d for years? Who shall say the dark dismay Which her dying caused that day? Come, ye Muses, one and all, Come obedient…

  • Eluveitie, “A Rose for Epona”

    Looking forward to the new album. Bring on the hurdy-gurdy! (Oh yeah, it’s also a concept album about a Celtic tribe that lived in ancient Gaul, which is kind of awesome.)

  • Is belief in a historical Adam a “gospel issue”?

    I came across this post by James McGrath–“Ten Really Bad Reasons to Believe in a Historical Adam“–which was a response to a post by Reformed blogger Kevin DeYoung arguing for the necessity of belief in a historical Adam. One reason DeYoung offers that I’ve seen emphasized elsewhere is that without belief in a historical Adam…

  • God Forbid, “Walk Alone”