Category: Christianity

America, Bible, Christianity, Citizenship, Constitution, Culture, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Ethics, Evangelicalism, Jesus, Leadership, Politics, spirituality, Story4 Comments

On Stupidity

Gary Furr

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German theologian and pastor, wrote shortly before his death at the hand of the Nazis,  “Upon closer observation, it becomes apparent that every strong upsurge of power in the public sphere, be it of a political or of a religious nature, infects a large part of humankind with stupidity. It would even seem that this is virtually a sociological-psychological law. The power of the one needs the stupidity of the other. The process at work here is not that particular human capacities, for instance, the intellect, suddenly atrophy or fail. Instead, it seems that under the overwhelming impact … Continue reading On Stupidity

Christmas, The Incarnation

Stories of Christmas

Gary Furr

I am partial to storytelling and storytellers, since I am one. But in no place more than the birth story of Jesus does this reality hit home.  The more rational types are always trying to turn Christianity into a series of propositions which only succeeds in rendering the most thrilling narrative ever to grace a mind into propositions and abstractions that could be used as sleep aids. No, when God set out to save humanity in the Christian telling, it was in stories. The smallest elements of a story. There’s a subject. There is a verb. And you have a … Continue reading Stories of Christmas

Calling, Christianity, Competition, Conflict, Evangelicalism, Forgiveness, Fundamentalism, Grace, hope, humanity, Humor, Jesus, Jesus, Lent, Pilgrimage, Prayer, reconciliation, spirituality, Story, Thankfulness

NEW PODCAST Cheap Preachers Trip to Israel

Gary Furr

LATEST PODCAST. Preachers are like manure. When you spread us out, we can do a lot of good. But when you pile us up all together it can be almost unbearable. On a preachers tour to Israel I found out why. Click to listen Continue reading NEW PODCAST Cheap Preachers Trip to Israel

Christianity, church, Culture, Ethics, Higher Education2 Comments

Writing Together

Gary Furr

For over thirty years, I have been part of an extraordinary community of theological friends. In our careers we were pastors, missionaries, seminary and college professors, and a university president. All of us were productive writers and thinkers and published individually a great deal over the years. We began coming together during the time that the Southern Baptist Convention was imploding over politics and theological disagreement in the 1980s. It was formed with three members and they soon began to invite the rest of us to join . This group became a wonderful place of freedom and fellowship. We found … Continue reading Writing Together

Advent, Art, Christmas, Poetry, Writing

The Ringer

Gary Furr

A gyrating Salvation Army bellringer fresh off a successful run at Little Caesar’s sidewalk guards the doorway to the Stone Mountain Walmart He deftly dances and offers his extended hand with an underhand swoop. His lithe body in perfect unison with the music in his headphones, his beautiful brown face beaming with joy, In the parking lot, sedentary men in cars watch the show Glad for something interesting while waiting to ride up and pick up their mothers as they exit the store. A few annoyed shoppers avert their gaze but he pursues them. General Booth would never have imagined … Continue reading The Ringer