I kept pinching myself. Was I not in Mexico, the land of narco-criminals, rampant police corruption, and illegal border-jumpers—a nation coming apart at the seams? Indeed, as I left to teach for a week at the 25th anniversary celebration of the Presbyterian Theological Seminary of the South East of the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico, […]
64: Feast of the Epiphany: The One True Avatar
Avatar: Hinduism: “the manifestation of a deity in human, superhuman, or animal form.” Last weekend I did what a lot of people have been doing in the last two weeks. I went to watch Avatar. Thanks to a pair of grotesque yellow 3D glasses, “reach out and touch someone” was never more possible in a […]
60: Who’s Prompting the Teleprompter?
Public life is no longer “politics as usual.” At the 1992 Clinton inauguration journalists hailed the “birth of Religious Left.” By 2009, inauguration ceremonies included blessings from a gay bishop; the Religious Left had clearly matured! “We are God’s partners in matters of life and death,” says President Obama about healthcare, while accusing his critics […]
49: New “Progressive Christianity”: An Old Liberal Swindle
I write this InsideOut on July 4th, the celebration of American independence, conscious of a squeamish American elite, now choking on their hot dogs, because they wonder how they can celebrate America’s “embarrassing” past, and “sort out the meaning of our common values… in this challenging new situation.” In this light, “transformation,” “progress” and “change, […]
Gnosticism in the Mainline
Mainline Decline “One of our finest hours was when our Presbyterian Publishing House, Westminster Press, published books on the death of God theology.” Thus spoke the 1996-97 moderator of the PCUSA, as he accepted the 1996 Alumnus of the Year award from Chicago Divinity School. This “finest hour” helped promote a sustained and growing rejection […]
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The Spirituality of Politics
by Dr. Peter Jones | August 24, 2020As we approach the 2020 presidential elections, Christians should think deeply about their vote. Clearly, no current political party has any right to lay claim to being the G.O.P, “God’s Own Party.” Traditionally, believers (myself included) have sought to avoid taking a public political stance in order both to respect the political choices of fellow believers […]
Cultural Warts or Faithful Servants
by Dr. Peter Jones | August 20, 2020According to recent polls, most young people “have graded Christianity, and so far, the grades aren’t looking good.” Young believers do not want the name “Christian” because of “the baggage that accompanies the label.” We all have baggage, but there is something very fishy going on here. Why is the most ethical, humane movement in […]
Only Five Black Lives Matter?
by Dr. Peter Jones | July 14, 2020Systemic Racism The accusation of “systemic racism” is everywhere—in the news media, in the halls of government, in churches, and, above all, in politics. The term implies that our country’s entire “system” is shot through in all areas and by all people with the belief that one race (the white race) is better than all […]
What the PCA Study Committee Did Not Study.
by Dr. Peter Jones | June 16, 2020Our silence in this area could be seen as defeatist or as a fearful withdrawal from engagement with unbelievers on the one volatile subject (LGBT+ issues) that daily overwhelms the news media and leads many institutions, both legal and cultural, to deny Christian citizens the right to free speech and to responsible action.