Tag Archives: Brian McLaren

McLaren: Obama would reduce abortions

“I don’t know anybody who is pro-abortion. I think people recognize what a wrenching, difficult issue it is… Our goal should be to make abortion less common, that we should be discouraging unwanted pregnancies, that we should encourage adoption wherever possible.”

- Barack Obama, Christianity Today interview, January 2008

 

 

I’ve said before – I don’t know who I am voting for. I am not promoting Barack Obama. I do however enjoy breaking up the all-too-common assumptions of evangelical Christians. I suppose it’s part of my rebellious nature. 

Brian McLaren decided to vote for Obama. He lays out 5 reasons why others should, too. I think you know how I feel about spiritual leaders promoting candidates. I’m not a big fan. But I do like that McLaren challenges the assumption that a vote for McCain is a vote against abortion. In some ways this is, true, but, according to Brian McLaren, at best case scenario, McCain could only reduce abortion by 10% (which is great, don’t get me/him wrong). Ultimately, McCain would do this by giving the power to the states, and I think Obama believes states should decide, too (?). Anyway, McLaren actually says that voting for Obama would actually reduce abortions, mainly, because Obama is attempting to fix the root of the problem of abortion, that is, poor living conditions. Please check it out; especially, if you follow that assumption (which I have!) that voting for McCain would be a vote against abortion.

Share Button

What’s Cookin’? 104

Highlight(s) of the week: (1) Phillies are in the NLCS and are actually up in the series. I can smell the World Series. (2) Amanda and I took Giselle pumpkin picking and to Peddler’s Village. We had a great time. (3) My uncle Bob came in from Oregon – we got to talk politics, the emerging church, and other church things

Book(s) I’m reading: still reading Jesus for President by Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw

Music I’m diggin’: Jason Morant’s Open; Derek Webb’s The Ringing Bell

Podcast’s I’m lovin‘: Emergent Podcast interviews with (a) Phyllis Tickle and (b) Tim Keel; I usually always listen to Mars Hills’ podcast – last one I listened to was called “Shine Like Stars;” APM: Speaking of Faith with Krista Tippett – most recently I listened to an interview she had with Jaroslav Pelikan on the importance of creeds

Something(s) that blew my mind: (1) Brett Myers apparently is the most consistent hitter on the Phillies; (2) the Franke Installation into the Lester and Kay Clemens Professorship in Missional Theology was extraordinarily good (I hope to blog about this later) – particularly enjoyed Scot McKnight and Tim Keel…McLaren is always good

Ministry update: last night we emphasized AIDS/HIV awareness in our youth group program. We had a few technical errors because I forgot my cord to connect my laptop to the projector so I had to transfer everything to another computer, which never goes well for me. But overall I think it went well.

Seminary update: starting a new class tomorrow on the historical books of the Old Testament with Gary Schnittjer

Looking forward to: (1) game 4 of the NLCS; (2) UnderOath and The Devil Wears Prada show on October 22; (3) soccer game tonight

Share Button

What’s Cookin’? 104

Highlight(s) of the week: (1) Phillies are in the NLCS and are actually up in the series. I can smell the World Series. (2) Amanda and I took Giselle pumpkin picking and to Peddler’s Village. We had a great time. (3) My uncle Bob came in from Oregon – we got to talk politics, the emerging church, and other church things

Book(s) I’m reading: still reading Jesus for President by Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw

Music I’m diggin’: Jason Morant’s Open; Derek Webb’s The Ringing Bell

Podcast’s I’m lovin‘: Emergent Podcast interviews with (a) Phyllis Tickle and (b) Tim Keel; I usually always listen to Mars Hills’ podcast – last one I listened to was called “Shine Like Stars;” APM: Speaking of Faith with Krista Tippett – most recently I listened to an interview she had with Jaroslav Pelikan on the importance of creeds

Something(s) that blew my mind: (1) Brett Myers apparently is the most consistent hitter on the Phillies; (2) the Franke Installation into the Lester and Kay Clemens Professorship in Missional Theology was extraordinarily good (I hope to blog about this later) – particularly enjoyed Scot McKnight and Tim Keel…McLaren is always good

Ministry update: last night we emphasized AIDS/HIV awareness in our youth group program. We had a few technical errors because I forgot my cord to connect my laptop to the projector so I had to transfer everything to another computer, which never goes well for me. But overall I think it went well.

Seminary update: starting a new class tomorrow on the historical books of the Old Testament with Gary Schnittjer

Looking forward to: (1) game 4 of the NLCS; (2) UnderOath and The Devil Wears Prada show on October 22; (3) soccer game tonight

Share Button

What’s Cookin’? 104

Highlight(s) of the week: (1) Phillies are in the NLCS and are actually up in the series. I can smell the World Series. (2) Amanda and I took Giselle pumpkin picking and to Peddler’s Village. We had a great time. (3) My uncle Bob came in from Oregon – we got to talk politics, the emerging church, and other church things

Book(s) I’m reading: still reading Jesus for President by Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw

Music I’m diggin’: Jason Morant’s Open; Derek Webb’s The Ringing Bell

Podcast’s I’m lovin‘: Emergent Podcast interviews with (a) Phyllis Tickle and (b) Tim Keel; I usually always listen to Mars Hills’ podcast – last one I listened to was called “Shine Like Stars;” APM: Speaking of Faith with Krista Tippett – most recently I listened to an interview she had with Jaroslav Pelikan on the importance of creeds

Something(s) that blew my mind: (1) Brett Myers apparently is the most consistent hitter on the Phillies; (2) the Franke Installation into the Lester and Kay Clemens Professorship in Missional Theology was extraordinarily good (I hope to blog about this later) – particularly enjoyed Scot McKnight and Tim Keel…McLaren is always good

Ministry update: last night we emphasized AIDS/HIV awareness in our youth group program. We had a few technical errors because I forgot my cord to connect my laptop to the projector so I had to transfer everything to another computer, which never goes well for me. But overall I think it went well.

Seminary update: starting a new class tomorrow on the historical books of the Old Testament with Gary Schnittjer

Looking forward to: (1) game 4 of the NLCS; (2) UnderOath and The Devil Wears Prada show on October 22; (3) soccer game tonight

Share Button

What’s Cookin’? 104

Highlight(s) of the week: (1) Phillies are in the NLCS and are actually up in the series. I can smell the World Series. (2) Amanda and I took Giselle pumpkin picking and to Peddler’s Village. We had a great time. (3) My uncle Bob came in from Oregon – we got to talk politics, the emerging church, and other church things

Book(s) I’m reading: still reading Jesus for President by Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw

Music I’m diggin’: Jason Morant’s Open; Derek Webb’s The Ringing Bell

Podcast’s I’m lovin‘: Emergent Podcast interviews with (a) Phyllis Tickle and (b) Tim Keel; I usually always listen to Mars Hills’ podcast – last one I listened to was called “Shine Like Stars;” APM: Speaking of Faith with Krista Tippett – most recently I listened to an interview she had with Jaroslav Pelikan on the importance of creeds

Something(s) that blew my mind: (1) Brett Myers apparently is the most consistent hitter on the Phillies; (2) the Franke Installation into the Lester and Kay Clemens Professorship in Missional Theology was extraordinarily good (I hope to blog about this later) – particularly enjoyed Scot McKnight and Tim Keel…McLaren is always good

Ministry update: last night we emphasized AIDS/HIV awareness in our youth group program. We had a few technical errors because I forgot my cord to connect my laptop to the projector so I had to transfer everything to another computer, which never goes well for me. But overall I think it went well.

Seminary update: starting a new class tomorrow on the historical books of the Old Testament with Gary Schnittjer

Looking forward to: (1) game 4 of the NLCS; (2) UnderOath and The Devil Wears Prada show on October 22; (3) soccer game tonight

Share Button

What’s Cookin’? 104

Highlight(s) of the week: (1) Phillies are in the NLCS and are actually up in the series. I can smell the World Series. (2) Amanda and I took Giselle pumpkin picking and to Peddler’s Village. We had a great time. (3) My uncle Bob came in from Oregon – we got to talk politics, the emerging church, and other church things

Book(s) I’m reading: still reading Jesus for President by Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw

Music I’m diggin’: Jason Morant’s Open; Derek Webb’s The Ringing Bell

Podcast’s I’m lovin‘: Emergent Podcast interviews with (a) Phyllis Tickle and (b) Tim Keel; I usually always listen to Mars Hills’ podcast – last one I listened to was called “Shine Like Stars;” APM: Speaking of Faith with Krista Tippett – most recently I listened to an interview she had with Jaroslav Pelikan on the importance of creeds

Something(s) that blew my mind: (1) Brett Myers apparently is the most consistent hitter on the Phillies; (2) the Franke Installation into the Lester and Kay Clemens Professorship in Missional Theology was extraordinarily good (I hope to blog about this later) – particularly enjoyed Scot McKnight and Tim Keel…McLaren is always good

Ministry update: last night we emphasized AIDS/HIV awareness in our youth group program. We had a few technical errors because I forgot my cord to connect my laptop to the projector so I had to transfer everything to another computer, which never goes well for me. But overall I think it went well.

Seminary update: starting a new class tomorrow on the historical books of the Old Testament with Gary Schnittjer

Looking forward to: (1) game 4 of the NLCS; (2) UnderOath and The Devil Wears Prada show on October 22; (3) soccer game tonight

Share Button

What’s Cookin’? 104

Highlight(s) of the week: (1) Phillies are in the NLCS and are actually up in the series. I can smell the World Series. (2) Amanda and I took Giselle pumpkin picking and to Peddler’s Village. We had a great time. (3) My uncle Bob came in from Oregon – we got to talk politics, the emerging church, and other church things

Book(s) I’m reading: still reading Jesus for President by Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw

Music I’m diggin’: Jason Morant’s Open; Derek Webb’s The Ringing Bell

Podcast’s I’m lovin‘: Emergent Podcast interviews with (a) Phyllis Tickle and (b) Tim Keel; I usually always listen to Mars Hills’ podcast – last one I listened to was called “Shine Like Stars;” APM: Speaking of Faith with Krista Tippett – most recently I listened to an interview she had with Jaroslav Pelikan on the importance of creeds

Something(s) that blew my mind: (1) Brett Myers apparently is the most consistent hitter on the Phillies; (2) the Franke Installation into the Lester and Kay Clemens Professorship in Missional Theology was extraordinarily good (I hope to blog about this later) – particularly enjoyed Scot McKnight and Tim Keel…McLaren is always good

Ministry update: last night we emphasized AIDS/HIV awareness in our youth group program. We had a few technical errors because I forgot my cord to connect my laptop to the projector so I had to transfer everything to another computer, which never goes well for me. But overall I think it went well.

Seminary update: starting a new class tomorrow on the historical books of the Old Testament with Gary Schnittjer

Looking forward to: (1) game 4 of the NLCS; (2) UnderOath and The Devil Wears Prada show on October 22; (3) soccer game tonight

Share Button

What’s Cookin’? 104

Highlight(s) of the week: (1) Phillies are in the NLCS and are actually up in the series. I can smell the World Series. (2) Amanda and I took Giselle pumpkin picking and to Peddler’s Village. We had a great time. (3) My uncle Bob came in from Oregon – we got to talk politics, the emerging church, and other church things

Book(s) I’m reading: still reading Jesus for President by Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw

Music I’m diggin’: Jason Morant’s Open; Derek Webb’s The Ringing Bell

Podcast’s I’m lovin‘: Emergent Podcast interviews with (a) Phyllis Tickle and (b) Tim Keel; I usually always listen to Mars Hills’ podcast – last one I listened to was called “Shine Like Stars;” APM: Speaking of Faith with Krista Tippett – most recently I listened to an interview she had with Jaroslav Pelikan on the importance of creeds

Something(s) that blew my mind: (1) Brett Myers apparently is the most consistent hitter on the Phillies; (2) the Franke Installation into the Lester and Kay Clemens Professorship in Missional Theology was extraordinarily good (I hope to blog about this later) – particularly enjoyed Scot McKnight and Tim Keel…McLaren is always good

Ministry update: last night we emphasized AIDS/HIV awareness in our youth group program. We had a few technical errors because I forgot my cord to connect my laptop to the projector so I had to transfer everything to another computer, which never goes well for me. But overall I think it went well.

Seminary update: starting a new class tomorrow on the historical books of the Old Testament with Gary Schnittjer

Looking forward to: (1) game 4 of the NLCS; (2) UnderOath and The Devil Wears Prada show on October 22; (3) soccer game tonight

Share Button

What’s Cookin’?

(I stole this idea from my dear friend Tim, and I think it is an excellent one. His reflection is called My Monday Brief. I decided to go with What’s Cookin’?)

Highlight(s) of the week: (1) I’ve been feeling really close to Giselle recently. It’s like she knows me or something (she still loves her mom more…but I’m getting there). (2) Eagles laid the smackdown on the Steelers. (3) Riding with Amanda to work on Thursday and home from youth group on Sunday

Book(s) I’m reading: Creating Community by Stanley and Willits and Organic Community by Joseph Myers

Music I’m diggin’: Oh Sleeper – When I Am God; August Burns Red – Messengers

Something(s) that blew my mind: (1) Patriots fans booing their team! Wow! They’re not spoiled… (2) My brother Phil’s band Woe Beith the City was actually exceptionally good at their first show (3) Phil shared something from his heart on stage, which actually wasn’t cliche in any way

Ministry update: great start to the new school year, new things, new events, new staff members. Unfortunately, we had to cancel our middle school retreat to Baltimore, but we’ll survive. Also, from my opinion, youth group was a blast last Sunday. 

Seminary update: (1) taking a class called Developing Relationships in Community with Dave Marks; one of those “required-to-take” classes that I’m not really into, but doing my best (literally have taken no notes so far…huh). (2) Next class is with Gary Schnittjer…very excited. (3) McLaren & McKnight coming to Biblical in October!

Looking forward to: Phillies’ game on Wednesday as they push to the playoffs. Looking forward to high school retreat in Philadelphia and hearing Shane Claiborne speak.

Share Button

What’s Cookin’?

(I stole this idea from my dear friend Tim, and I think it is an excellent one. His reflection is called My Monday Brief. I decided to go with What’s Cookin’?)

Highlight(s) of the week: (1) I’ve been feeling really close to Giselle recently. It’s like she knows me or something (she still loves her mom more…but I’m getting there). (2) Eagles laid the smackdown on the Steelers. (3) Riding with Amanda to work on Thursday and home from youth group on Sunday

Book(s) I’m reading: Creating Community by Stanley and Willits and Organic Community by Joseph Myers

Music I’m diggin’: Oh Sleeper – When I Am God; August Burns Red – Messengers

Something(s) that blew my mind: (1) Patriots fans booing their team! Wow! They’re not spoiled… (2) My brother Phil’s band Woe Beith the City was actually exceptionally good at their first show (3) Phil shared something from his heart on stage, which actually wasn’t cliche in any way

Ministry update: great start to the new school year, new things, new events, new staff members. Unfortunately, we had to cancel our middle school retreat to Baltimore, but we’ll survive. Also, from my opinion, youth group was a blast last Sunday. 

Seminary update: (1) taking a class called Developing Relationships in Community with Dave Marks; one of those “required-to-take” classes that I’m not really into, but doing my best (literally have taken no notes so far…huh). (2) Next class is with Gary Schnittjer…very excited. (3) McLaren & McKnight coming to Biblical in October!

Looking forward to: Phillies’ game on Wednesday as they push to the playoffs. Looking forward to high school retreat in Philadelphia and hearing Shane Claiborne speak.

Share Button
Related Posts with Thumbnails