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Rankin File

Doctrine/Theology

Boundary Questions Refuse to Go Away

Imagine that you just moved into a neighborhood and, as you get acquainted with one of your new neighbors, you discover that the two of you share a commitment to community engagement.  The new acquaintance invites you to join a

Stephen Rankin April 7, 2021April 7, 2021 Doctrine/Theology, Religion, The Church, United Methodism 10 Comments Read more

We Need School-like Churches.

As a kid, I was bookish.  I loved sports.  I took piano lessons.  I participated in 4H.  I liked to hang out with my friends.  But I also loved to read.  Sometimes I got so absorbed in what I was

Stephen Rankin January 18, 2021 Christian Life, Doctrine/Theology, Religion, The Church 9 Comments Read more

Fixing Jesus

It now appears that an interpretation of Jesus’ being cured of racism in his response to the Syro-phoenician woman in Mark 7 has some real staying power among a slice of United Methodists.  You can read the story at Mark

Stephen Rankin August 24, 2020August 25, 2020 Doctrine/Theology, Religion No Comments Read more

The Church Needs a Gestalt Shift

“Gestalt” – a word some of us academic types use on occasion.  Gestalt has to do with perception, of seeing the whole, all at once, rather than parts.   Many more have surely seen the image of the woman/women that illustrates

Stephen Rankin July 21, 2020 Christian Life, Doctrine/Theology, Ministry, Religion, The Church 4 Comments Read more

Resurrection Realism

“So we do not lose heart.  Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.” You can find this statement in 2 Corinthians 4:16. It’s relevant for thinking about the meaning of

Stephen Rankin April 18, 2020April 18, 2020 Christian Life, Doctrine/Theology, Ministry, Religion 3 Comments Read more
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Recent Comments

  • Stephen Rankin on The Troubling Use of “Information”
  • Corine Willilams on The Troubling Use of “Information”
  • North Texas Congregant on A Bishop Reinstated
  • Carylon Flax on Boundary Questions Refuse to Go Away
  • Danny Blue on Dogma as Drama – Thank You, Dorothy Sayers

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Meet Steve

I serve as Executive Director of the Spiritual Maturity Project, a ministry some of us have recently started.  For 25 years I worked in higher education as a professor and chaplain and before that as a pastor.  I love to help people grapple with big and basic questions to grow into real ,grown-up Christian discipleship.

I ruminate on all manner of theological, biblical, historical, and cultural topics. I believe followers of Jesus need to be more like members of Issachar’s tribe, able to read the times. Read more

 

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