The scandalous Word of God
If a Bible is read in the forest and no one is there to hear it, is it still God’s Word?
More Stories from this Author
Joining the dance
Cynthia Rigby writes about perichoresis or "mutual indwelling." This term is usually used in theological circles to reference the relationship of the Trinity, but can it also reference how we belong to one another?
Re-enchanting doctrine: Listening to God’s Word
Can doctrine be redeemed from the label of boring? Austin Seminary professor Cynthia Rigby thinks so.
Weeping with those who weep
I remember being shocked by the fact that Mrs. B., my third grade teacher, was crying. It must have been April 30,..
On cookies and kindness
I really enjoy watching the “The Great British Baking Show,” but at first I couldn’t quite say why. I could only testify..
Enough
My brother Scott is an expert in motivational theory. A behavioral scientist and psychologist, he consults with companies that are realizing there..
Why ask why?
Somewhere along the line, we learned to stop asking questions we couldn’t answer. For example, when’s the last time you asked: Where..
Who is God, really? God is a (somewhat) knowable mystery
A wondrous mystery One of my favorite theological quotes comes from Saint Augustine who insists that “if we have understood, what we..
All that God has
When I was a kid and asked my dad for money, he would reach into his pocket before I could even finish..
Making change
A few months ago I flew to Oklahoma City to keynote at a conference about 90 miles outside of the city. I..
The value of “friendly”
I made a passing remark during a class about Karl Barth meeting with Billy Graham. My students were all over it. “Karl..
Grace, mystery, beauty and freedom: Four takeaways of Reformed theology
The thing about Reformed theology is that it is not really aiming to be “Reformed.” It is aiming to be Christian...
Walking
The elderly woman waited her turn to speak with me after my talk. “It doesn’t really matter how you walk,” she said..
Not counting
I just finished teaching a week-long class full of the most amazing people. Twenty-four students, all participants in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s..
The last laugh
My friend Jane is about to die. Her husband David texted me last night to tell me that the doctors say it..
Meandering hope
I was on my way to class, driving down Burnet Road toward Austin Seminary in Texas. Burnet (pronounced “burn-it”) is classic Austin...
Up in the balcony
I was visiting with the pastor of a church where I was the guest preacher. He lamented that the youth there didn’t..
Sacred (study) space
I am stuck in an airport with a very long layover. My gate is empty of other passengers and will be for..
Where the Spirit of the Lord is
I KNEW MY GRANDMOTHER WOULD DIE while we were in the Philippines, so we went to visit her before we left. “This..
Prodigal cross
The idea that the Son had to die so the Father would be able to forgive us has never made much sense..
Easter focus: The significance of the Resurrection
I warn my seminary students to watch out for “litmus test” theology. “If you find yourself getting backed into a corner on a doctrinal issue, with someone pressing you merely to ‘check “yes”’ or ‘check “no,”’ do your best to redirect the conversation,” I advise them. Being a Christian believer is not, primarily, about checking the right boxes.