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Bob Cornwall's blog

Yesterday, in my theology 101 sessions, we talked about sin -- and salvation, but mostly about sin. Disciples don't dwell on sin, for the most part. I asked my earlier group about their experience -- had they heard much about sin over the years? The answer was no. One reason for this is that Disciples, generally don't affirm the doctrine of original sin. We also reflect, even in unconsciously, an optimism that emerges out of the early 19th century American frontier experience. The world lay before them! They also reflected the Enlightenment thinking of Locke and Reid. So, if you go to a Disciples church you will rarely see or hear a prayer of confession and absolution -- except may be at an Ash Wednesday service, and those are relatively new.

With this in mind, we talked about sin -- and last night we kind of got stuck on the issue of original sin. Now, while I personally do not believe in original sin, I do recognize, with Paul, its universality (Romans 3:23). But, I'm struck by Augustine's own story, his own struggles with sin, as described in the Confessions. While Augustine struggled with sex, it wasn't his only vice.... READ MORE.

Bob Cornwall's blog

Back when I was teaching theology at a Bible College -- I got in trouble for how/what I taught -- I was having a conversation with another faculty member (one more conservative than me, which wasn't difficult even then) and the topic of biblical interpretation/inspiration came up. I asked something to the effect of: Do you believe that every part of the Bible is equally inspired, that is, should we consider let's say Esther or Leviticus as equally authoritative as the Gospels? This colleague answered in the affirmative without any hesitation.... READ MORE.

Bob Cornwall's blog

The definition of this word in the Westminster Dictionary of Theology (Westminster Press, 1983) begins:

The English word "atonement" originally signified the condition of being "at-one" after two parties had been estranged from one another. Soon a secondary meaning emerged: "atonement" denoted the means, an act or a payment, through which harmony was restored." (p. 50).

The author of this definition notes that the word for atonement -- katallage -- is translated in the KJV as atonement only once (Romans 5:11), and elsewhere is translated as reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18ff). The author notes too that in the OT the Hebrew word translated atonement "frequently occurs in a ceremonial context" and speaks of actions taken to remove guilt (Leviticus 23:26ff) -- a ceremony that is reflected upon in Hebrews 9. The issue here is removal of guilt -- perhaps by satisfying a divine requirement. The question before us, however, has to do with the way in which the cross brings reconciliation between God and humanity.... READ MORE.

Bob Cornwall's blog

The debate over homosexuality, which is tearing at the fabric of what was once mainline Protestantism and beyond, is rooted in questions of authority. Although I do believe that much of the debate is rooted deep down in questions of one's own sexuality, it also has major theological corollaries.

In reading Phyllis Tickle's The Great Emergence (Baker, 2008), I discovered this important statement, one that I do think gets at the

Bob Cornwall's blog

Am I surprised that Barack Obama chose Rick Warren to give the invocation at his inauguration? Well, yes and no. I guess I was hoping that he would branch out beyond the circle of evangelicals who have dominated the scene the past several decades. But, Warren has become something of the new Billy Graham. Yes, he's conservative on issues like abortion and homosexuality. But he's also taken the lead on a number of social justice issues. He has provided a couple of forums for Obama to speak -- though I did feel that the forum with McCain was stacked against him... READ MORE.

Bob Cornwall's blog

It's Advent, that season of preparation, to welcome the Christ child. But there's lots of pressure to jump start Christmas. Part of the problem is that once Thanksgiving hits, it's Christmas 24/7. So, why wait at church?

There are, of course, many wonderful Advent hymns and songs -- O Come, O Come Emmanuel, Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence, Com, O Long-Expected Jesus, Blessed Be the God of Israel (by Michael Perry, tune is Hal Hopson's Merle's Tune) -- but people want the carols, and they want them now... READ MORE.
 

A controversy concerning the use of the Koran in Congressional oath-taking ceremonies raised the question of the Bible's place in American life. Radio host Dennis Prager laid down the gauntlet in a much publicized column when he said, “Insofar as a member of Congress taking an oath to serve America and uphold its values is concerned, America is interested in only one book, the Bible. If you are incapable of taking an oath on that book, don't serve in Congress.”

If the Bible is America's Holy Book, what exactly does that mean? It's true that the Bible is regularly used in a variety of public ceremonies, from swearing in of witnesses to oath-taking by public officials. It's believed that using the Bible in such a way guarantees truthfulness, although there's little evidence that such use prevents either corruption or perjury.

When we talk about the Bible as America's Holy Book, we're not talking about its content; we're talking about its symbolic status. Indeed, that's Prager's point. Therefore, since the Bible is essentially an object of veneration, we dutifully trot it out whenever we deem it appropriate. If necessary, we'll read it selectively in support of our pet projects. Take for instance the Ten Commandments: Many venerate them, but spend little time examining their meaning.