Methodist Blogs Weekly Roundup # 62

Here's the week in review in the Methodist blogosphere:

Christopher Gudger-Raines is sympathetic to Thomas, the doubting apostle.

Andy Bryan's son has answered the great question of theodicy (Best of the Methodist blogosphere!). He also explained why he is a vegetarian, how American culture is undermining its own values, and how to evaluate prosperity and culture.

Andy Stoddard lectionary blogged for April 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, and 26.

Brian Slezak wrote about seeing racial issues with clarity.

Chris Morgan blogged about finding delight in the surprises of God and what kind of legacy we believers can leave for the future.

At Bandits No More, Richard Heyduck terrorist job fairs and described 8 toxins of suburban churchianity.

Beth Quick, who is a member of the General Board on Church and Society, reported in from their annual meeting. She also talked about reformatting and reformulating the Book of Resolutions.

Brian Russell is writing a book about Biblical interpretation from a missiological perspective and that the starting point for Biblical interpretation is the saving work of God through Jesus.

Bruce Alderman blogged about American immigration policy.

At Connexions, Joel Thomas took the theological worldview test and evaluated his answers.

ConXian preached on a Christian response to fear.

Josh Tinley wrote about a UMC congregation in Houston that is building a children's clinic and a Catholic cardinal supporting contraception usage.

Dave Morris blogged about woundedness and the Resurrection and activism that crosses safe emotional boundaries.

Sally Coleman wrote about our obsession with possessing things, how Western prosperity spoils us, how God wants us to have big dreams, bearing God's pruning, and a Biblical approach to rest.

Steve Heyduck blogged about how Christians should engage DaVinci Code culture for the sake of evangelism.

Gavin Richardson wrote about homosexuality in the UMC and the difficulty of being a Southern hockey fan.

Gerry Charlotte Phelps wrote about the future of Sino-American relations when China is a great power, how China's economic growth will impact the world economy, and what causes rising oil prices.

Greg Crofford blogged about approaching spiritual discipline methodistically, handicapping American Idol, the four primary views of the afterlife (Best of the Methodist blogosphere!), and offered practical suggestions for living frugally.

Greg Hazelrig wrote about the necessity of Christian perfection and that Christian belief is active, not passive.

Gregory Lee blogged about the importance of strong confirmation class curriculum, Biblical illiteracy in America, and preached on looking at God instead of the world in order to interpret events in one's life.

Henry Neufield wrote about whether the Bible really can be taught neutrally in public schools, the complex structure of the Book of Isaiah, how being liberal or conservative doesn't make you have a richer spiritual life, the role of God's commands in the Creation, that creationists don't do real science, and how you can't fake it with God.

Chris Roberts wrote that Christian life must be lived in community.

Mike Holly is quitting blogging, at least for a while.

Jay Voorhees says that United Methodists need to completely rethink our Social Principles and how Methodists should live our their Christian ethics in society (Best of the Methodist blogosphere!). He also wondered if the National Day of Prayer is properly framed.

John Battern wrote about how the DaVinci Code has exposed Biblical illiteracy, that we must be patient during the reconstruction of Iraq, and the moral and persuasive power of stories.

John Wilks wrote that Easter is a time of confession.

Jonathon Norman wonders how he will respond to his Board of Ordained Ministry if he is asked about his position on homosexuality. He also thinks that much of the Methodist debate on homosexuality is framed by the dynamics of power relationships.

Ken Carter preached on the importance of sharing our testimony, which is the story of Jesus conquering death.

Lake Neuron wrote about reviving Star Trek.

Larry Hollon blogged about rescuing America from theocracy. He has also written a series of posts about how the mainline churches disengaged from the mainstream media. He also wrote about how mainline churches have historically expressed disdain for the working classes.

Mark Winter wrote that Methodists shouldn't be talking so much about homosexuality and appointments and whatnot, but revival.

Keith McIlwain likes the apostle Thomas. Why? Because he has doubts, just like the rest of us. He also wrote about the meaning of the phrase "Open minds" in the UMC slogan.

Michael Daniel says that we blame Judas for the cruxifiction when we should blame ourselves and that Republicans and Democrats are equally unvirtuous.

Michelle Hargrave wrote about the need for Christ-like compassion.

Mike Hensley blogged about obsessive dog owners.

Jeff Lutz described what is and what is not good Christian debate. He also wrote about the city of Grand Rapids banning nude dancing. Yours truly made the obligatory libertarian argument against the ban in as much as such an argument can be typed in 20 seconds.

Mitchell Lewis preached on Ezekiel's vision of dry bones.

Louie Gannon preached on doubting the existence of God.

Neil Bishop wrote about how people's selfishness hurts them and that it's okay if people want proof for the Christian faith.

At New Reality Blog, Jared Williams expressed fatigue over the homosexuality debate and feeling let down after the end of Easter. Ric called for prayer for the churches in his district.

Chris Monroe wrote about the emergent movement in Judaism and the difference between real and fake conversion, and how Christians should respond to it.

Thomas Scott wrote about what it's like to minister in Appalachia, the revival of coal mining in Ohio, what it means to be Appalachian, and the economic struggles of that region. He also preached that as believers, we live our lives in perpetual debt, how Satan responded to the cruxifiction, and whether we should look at the cross positively or negatively.

Jason Woolever wrote about why he's switching to the ESV and the importance of gender inclusive language in Bible translations.

ReligioNews blogged about the gender of God.

Sandpiper wrote about the spiritual meanings of water and bread. She also wrote about measuring success in ministry and the theology of the DaVinci Code.

Lorna Koskela blogged about the journey of sanctification, Biblical inerrancy, Biblical usefulness, the biggest struggles in ministry, and transformation of Peter from frightened disciple to Apostolic leader.

Sky Lowe-McCracken wrote about balancing work/rest in the ordained ministry.

Steven Webster blogged about efforts to overturn the Ed Johnson Judicial Council decision.

Kurt Boemler wrote about a Biblical understanding of sexual sin.

William Hardt recounted the story of an ex-pro gambler who became a prominent pastor and DS.

Tony Mitchell wrote about finding a balance between science and faith.

Paul Martin warns that haricuts in the UK now cost about $14,000. He is also tired of the 2-party system in British politics and wrote about how the arms industry is corrupting British politics and the crazed antics of Benny Hinn.

Trying to Walk His Path wrote about making the faith relevant to the next generation.

Shane Raynor wrote about the decline of Christianity in America and how effectively Soulforce and RMN represent the LGBT community in Methodism.

Willie Deuel is facing an identity crisis now that he's graduating from seminary.

Corrections? Additions? Do you know of a blog that should be included in the MBWR? Would you like to receive the MBWR via e-mail? Leave a note in the comments or e-mail locustsandhoney2005 at yahoo dot com!