Consider these quotations, coming from two Baptist preachers speaking at either end of the 1960s: 1. …although communism can never be accepted by a Christian, it emphasizes many essential truths that must forever challenge us as Christians. Indeed, it may be that communism is a necessary corrective for a Christianity that has been all too passive and … More Can Culture Call Christians Back to Christ?
Last weekend I took my five-year old children to visit the Twin City Model Railroad Museum in St. Paul, MN. The museum itself has tiny trains endlessly circling an enormous layout of the Twin Cities, set in some vaguely defined (mid-20th century) past. On the walls and in a separate room there are posters, magazines, timetables, and … More Americans Love the Past, Not History
It looks like I was right to suspect that it was time for this blog to undergo a makeover, as only 13% of you wanted me to keep the WordPress theme I’ve been using for four years (The Morning After). The people’s choice for our new theme, with 47% of the votes cast, is Gateway: Thanks to … More And the Winner Is…
Here… • Can a Pietist institution redefine and renew Christian higher education? That’s the plan. • Advice of the week to churches: don’t overlook college professors when filling leadership positions. • Thanks again to Devin Manzullo-Thomas for joining us on this week’s Pietist Schoolman Podcast! • The polls are still open this weekend if you’d like to vote for a … More That Was The Week That Was
Public historian Devin Manzullo-Thomas (director of the Sider Institute for Anabaptist, Pietist, and Wesleyan Studies) joins me for episode #10 of The Pietist Schoolman Podcast. (You can find it on iTunes or via The Christian Humanist). Drawing on his experiences with Messiah College and the Brethren in Christ Church, Devin reflects on history and higher education at the … More Thursday’s Podcast: An Anabaptist Perspective
Last Tuesday night I had the privilege of moderating my congregation‘s annual meeting for the sixth time — and the last for the foreseeable future. In 2009 I was elected chairperson of our church; after having been reelected three years later, I’ve now reached my constitutional limit of two terms and so happily gave way to a new chair. … More College Professors as Church Leaders
Last week I revealed that, four years into blogging, I’m considering switching The Pietist Schoolman to a new WordPress theme: new layout, new colors, new header image, new fonts, etc. Thanks to everyone who wrote in via comments and email with suggestions — and words of caution. Now, it’s time to vote! First, check out four possible themes (three suggested by … More Vote Early and Often: Should The Pietist Schoolman Get a New Look?
If you have any interest in the future of Christian higher education — and especially if you’re an employee, alumnus, student, or friend of Bethel University — let me point you to my article in the Summer 2015 issue of Bethel Magazine. (You can click here, or turn to p. 24 in the embed below.) Entitled “Faith-Filled Tradition, … More A Pietist Vision for a Christian University
Here… • The Pietist Schoolman Podcast returned from its early summer break with an enlightening conversation featuring sociologist John Hawthorne. • If you agree that it feels like it might be time for this blog to get a makeover, it’s not too late to suggest a new theme! (We’ll start voting next week.) • Is Pietism a set of instincts … More That Was The Week That Was
My speaking schedule for the second half of 2015 is starting to fill up rapidly! Starting on Sunday, August 9th, when I preach/teach at Zion Covenant Church in Ellsworth, Wisconsin (9:00 and 10:45). Thanks to Pastor Dave Hugare for inviting me back to a church that I used to visit every summer during stays on my grandparents’ farm!
The Pietist Schoolman 