Theologian Valentines

This is lovely. Share these with those you love.

The Monday Heretic

A few years ago, I saw some hilarious Valentines based on dictators. And I thought, I should totally do that with famous theologians! (Because, you know, that’s how my brain works.) So here you go!

Also, if you don’t present the Calvin valentine with a bouquet of tulips, you are missing out on a prime pun opportunity. Just sayin’.

Disclaimer: I have the greatest respect for all of these folks from church history and their contribution to the faith. I also think they might have found these amusing.

Any alternate caption ideas or ideas for theologians who aren’t featured?

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#30 The Nones

Popping Collars Podcast

Betsy, Greg, Liz, and Vivian talk about the Netflix series Master of None and where it intersects issues of phases of life, diversity, and vocation.

Musical Interlude Credit: “I Want to Change You” by lo-fi is sci-fi (http://lofiisscifi.com)

Season 2 Theme: “Revolution Now (Instrumental)” by Josh Woodward (http://www.joshwoodward.com/)

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The Knight and The Gardener

Gardeners see themselves—and all people and things—as part of the growth of a great, cosmos-spanning Garden, one that can flourish further if aided by well-meaning and inspired people. Gardeners believe the primary calling of good people is to cultivate the Garden through planting, good planning, the pursuit of transformative discovery, invention and innovation, and artistic revelation. Any constructive endeavor is a Gardener’s endeavor.

For religious Gardeners, God is the creative force whose greatest attributes are imagination and creativity. Gardeners view themselves as imbued by the Creator with the divine creative spark and charged with growing the Garden beyond its current borders. Christian Gardeners, for example, spread the Gospel to restore broken people so they can rejoin the ongoing creation process, and to awaken others to their meaningful role in tending the Garden.

A Gardener looking down on the world from a space capsule would see a great Garden of…

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My Emancipation From American Christianity

“If religion it is to be worth holding on to, it should be the place were the marginalized feel the most visible, where the hurting receive the most tender care, where the outsiders find the safest refuge.”

john pavlovitz

I used to think that it was just me, that it was my problem, my deficiency, my moral defect.

It had to be.

All those times when I felt like an outsider in this American Jesus thing; the ever-more frequent moments when my throat constricted and my heart raced and my stomach turned.

Maybe it came in the middle of a crowded worship service or during a small group conversation. Maybe while watching the news or when scanning a blog post, or while resting in a silent, solitary moment of prayer. Maybe it was all of these times and more, when something rose up from the deepest places within me and shouted, “I can’t do this anymore! I can’t be part of this!”

These moments once overwhelmed me with panic and filled me with guilt, but lately I am stepping mercifully clear of such things.

What I’ve come to realize is that it certainly is me, but not in the…

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#GivingTuesday is here!

Help Support our Students as they Answer God’s Call on their Lives. Please Help us Raise $5000.00

On December 1, 2015, American Baptist Seminary of the West will participate in #GivingTuesday to encourage support for the seminary’s Seminary Fund. Retail stores all across America celebrate “Black Friday” and online retailers tout “Cyber Monday” we hope offer an opportunity for God’ people to leverage social media and to participate in a national movement dedicated to giving. Our goal is to use #GivingTuesday to raise $5000.00 to support our seminary fund.

All donations made on #GivingTuesday will receive a portion of matching funds, and we’re even eligible for cash prizes to further this cause – so now’s the time to get involved! Please consider making a donation and sharing this campaign with your friends and family to help us reach our goal.

Giving online is easy and fast, and your support will make a real difference.