jamesgsppencer, Author at CRAZY DIFFERENT

Christian Thought

Getting Through, Moving Beyond: Some Thoughts on Where We Are and Where We Can Be

ByjamesgsppencerApril 22, 2020

In Improvisation: The Drama of Christian Ethics, Samuel Wells argues that our ability to make ethical choices is seldom a question of having special resolve at the moment of decision. It is a question of preparation, or “moral effort,” through which we develop habits that

News

Thinking Christian on MU Talks

ByjamesgsppencerApril 17, 2020

It was a pleasure to spend some quality time in Portland (prior to shelter in place) with Alin Vrancila and the faculty at Multnomah University. I was able to speak with a group of faculty about teaching the next generation of Christians, as well as being a guest on

Christian Thought

A Post-Easter Reflection: Resurrection, Reality, and Living Strangely

ByjamesgsppencerApril 14, 2020

Forsberg begins his book entitled, Language Lost and Found by pointing to the way in which we lose control of the words we use: “Words are worn and torn, and so turned (differently). At times they are torn and worn out. But since words are turned-

Christian Thought

An Invitation on Easter

ByjamesgsppencerApril 9, 2020

In 2018, I resigned from my position as academic dean after eleven years at the same institution, took a new job outside of higher ed, moved out of downtown Chicago, got my kids settled in at new schools, and supported my wife as she changed roles at work. In the midst of

Christian Thought

Knowledge Debt and Christian Testimony

ByjamesgsppencerApril 9, 2020

Engaging in any sort of research can be daunting. It is humbling to realize how little I know about the world. After three advanced theological degrees, its even more humbling to realize how little I really know about the Bible. But, as D.L. Moody said, “My friends, the men

Christian Thought

Quarantine Reading: Some Great Reads for Christians During COVID-19

ByjamesgsppencerApril 6, 2020

It seems to me that part of staying sane in the midst of COVID-19 is going to involve making good content choices. Whatever you may think about social media (or the media more generally), avoiding conspiracy theories and fake news can’t be a bad idea. As such, I decided to

Christian Thought

When Someone Offers You a Doughnut While You Are on a Diet: A Follow-Up to “Clearing Cupboards”

ByjamesgsppencerApril 2, 2020

As the body of Christ navigates this moment in history, we need to demonstrate that God is our rock (Psalm 18;2). Being a member of God’s Kingdom means we can be sober and patient. By sober, I mean that we are not reactionary. While much has been written (appropriately)

Christian Thought

God and Gorillas Part 3: Clearing Cupboards, Becoming Theologically Fit

ByjamesgsppencerMarch 31, 2020

In 2018, I weighed in at a doughy 250lbs. While I liked to think of myself as “muscular,” looking back on some older pictures (thank you Facebook), it is hard to deny that I was really just chubby. My wife gently directed me to a program at her hospital. It was a medically

Christian Thought

Putting Fear in Perspective

ByjamesgsppencerMarch 27, 2020

I took some time this week to reflect on everything happening around us. I wrote up some of my thoughts for Moody Center’s website. You can read the post here.

Christian Thought

God and Gorillas Part. 2: Seeing the Big Picture

ByjamesgsppencerMarch 25, 2020

I recently started watching the TV series Friday Night Lights (FNL). In one of the episodes the coach is trying to decide between a young, backup QB (Saracen) who took over for the injured hometown star and Ray “Voodoo” Tatum a superstar QB displaced after the floods in New