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And Now, for My Own Bigotry

And Now, for My Own Bigotry

“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God,” Jesus told his disciples (Mt. 19:24).  This comment came on the heels of his

Stephen Rankin June 12, 2012July 5, 2012 General, Religion No Comments Read more

The Clumsiness of Categories

The Clumsiness of Categories

Today, I worry about  sounding downright ungenerous and small-souled.  Even more, I worry because the topic I’m about to join cuts a little too close to the bone for me personally.  I’m going to try to use parts of my

Stephen Rankin June 7, 2012July 5, 2012 Christian Life, Emerging adults, Ministry, Religion, The Church, United Methodism No Comments Read more

Should GC Delegates Have to Demonstrate Theological Qualifications Beforehand?

Should GC Delegates Have to Demonstrate Theological Qualifications Beforehand?

People who seek to become naturalized citizens of the United States must pass a test to qualify for the privilege of reciting the citizenship oath.  And it’s an oral test (see http://www.uscis.gov).  No guessing on multiple choice questions. Still worrying about

Stephen Rankin May 16, 2012July 5, 2012 Doctrine/Theology, Religion, The Church, United Methodism 2 Comments Read more

What Greensburg Teaches Me

In this virtual world that is the Internet, physical location often seems increasingly irrelevant.  Today, however, on this day after Thanksgiving, 2011, my physical location is significant.  It offers a poignant context for my thoughts. I’m sitting in a coffee shop,

Stephen Rankin November 25, 2011 Christian Life, Ministry, United Methodism No Comments Read more

A Tragic Failure in Higher Education

I recently had an encounter with a student who expressed irritation with “judgmental Christians” who tell people they are going to hell.  This attitude is  common on college campuses.  Therefore, our brief conversation nicely illustrates how we are largely failing to grow

Stephen Rankin November 14, 2011 Emerging adults, Higher and Theological Education 7 Comments Read more

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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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