Methodist Blogs Weekly Roundup # 82

Here's the week in review in the Methoblogosphere:

Allan R. Bevere wrote that the purpose of Soren Kierkegaard's critique of the Danish Lutheran Church was to urge it to be humble about its Christian accomplishments.

Andy Bryan wrote that whether worship is contemporary or traditional does not determine its authenticity and creating a Barmen Declaration for modern America.

Andy Stoddard lectionary blogged for September 4 and 5.

Richard Heyduck wrote about evaluating the effectiveness of youth ministries quantitatively and a theology of diversity that the UMC advertizing campaign is advancing (Best of the Methoblogosphere!).

Beth Quick wrote that liberal theology is not to blame for the decline of mainline denominations (Best of the Methoblogosphere!).

Betty Newman wrote about the difference between a positive mental attitude and hope in Christ.

Brian Russell wrote about how the parable of the prodigal son teaches us to reach out to people in mission and how the life of Abraham and his descendants is about the restoration of Fallen humanity.

Bruce Alderman explained why he believes in God to an atheist and critiqued an atheist apologetic tract.

Joel Thomas wrote about the Epistle of Straw.

Dave Faulkner wrote about revivalism leading Protestants to convert to Catholicism.

Sally Coleman preached on racial injustice.

Steve Heyduck wrote that even though he's right, that doesn't mean that he doesn't want you to think through issues yourself.

Gavin Richardson wrote about a Christian Democratic agenda, whether the 1980s Christian youth movement impacted the emerging church movement, and whether homosexuality is a sexual perversion.

Greg Crofford reviewed movie The Emperor's Club, and wrote about sexual integrity in marriage, non-Girl Scout cookies, and the necessity of standing up to Islamic terrorism.

Greg Hazelrig wrote about the optimism of love, the power infused in us during the Great Commission, and the importance of having many tools among the people of God.

Henry Neufield wrote that people who agree on evolution don't necessarily agree on anything else, that publishers don't necessarily agree with every book that they publish (nor should they), that one can disbelieve in a young earth and still be a Christian, that Bible translators should use the grammar that people use, even if it is not correct by formal standards, that people's lives cannot be evaluated on religious affiliation, backsliding and sliding back, the Wesleyan Quadrilateral as a sequence of exclusionary filters, and explaining away miracles.

Jay Voorhees reviewed the album "All in All" by Earth, Wind, and Fire and wrote about numerical decline in the UMC and its importance.

John Battern wrote about giving funerals for non-Christians.

Just As I Am taught that God's covenant is something that we receive.

Ken Carter preached on kingdom language and kingdom power in our lives.

Jan Kindle wrote about trying to be the perfect teacher as the Apostle James suggested.

Mark Winter wrote a monologue about a firefighter in the World Trade Center.

Keith McIlwain marked the birthday of American Methodism founder Thomas Coke (Best of the Methoblogosphere!), the recent Steelers-Dolphins game, and the truthiness and utility thereof of the new "Path to 9/11" docudrama.

Michael Daniel wrote about the justice to be found in this world and the next. He also agrees with Intelligent Design but is concerned about it being taught in public schools.

Mitchell Lewis has a bad review for Blogger Beta.

Nate Loucks live blogged some Notre Dame (or North Dakota?) football game thingy. That's what people who don't have D&D do in their spare time, I guess.

Todd Bergman wrote about why debt guru Dave Ramsey is his hero.

ReligioNews wrote that new pastors shouldn't make too many changes too quickly.

Theresa Coleman compared ordination procedures in different Protestant denominations.

Richard Johnson wrote about Tony Blair's announced retirement within a year and how his party is reacting to it.

Sandpiper reviewed the books Natural Church Development and If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat (and that the trust that Ortberg suggests is required is a lot like working in a darkroom), and wrote about the discipline of blogging day by day and living minute by minute, and the Beatitudes as a portrait of life rather than a checklist.

Lorna Koskela reviewed the book Invading Secular Space: Strategies for Tomorrow's Church.

Sky Lowe-McCracken says that Christ frees us from our self-imposed guilt trips.

Brian Vinson wrote that the Church should be supportive of Christians struggling with problems.

Wayne Cook preached on judging others.

Tony Mitchell preached on living out a faith that includes social justice.

Wes Whiddon wrote about standing up against the terrorist threat.

Scott McKay wrote about what we see in particular people that strikes us as authentic.

Additions? Corrections? 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!