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A Cup of Cold Water

Among the virtues Christians are called to express, compassion is among the highest. An upcoming conference titled, “A Cup of Cold Water,” encourages us to respond to God's call to be compassionate.

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My 1,000+Mile Photographing Idaho Walkabout

This summer, I’m embarking on a 1,000+mile walkabout. I’ll be photographing the wild and remote places of Idaho.

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The Bible Tells Me So

I'm happy to announce the publication of The Bible Tells Me So: Reading the Bible as Scripture. This book, which Richard Thompson and I co-edited, is now available in print form and kindle edition.

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My Christmas Consumption Issues

Each year during the Advent, I get the uneasy feeling my role as consumer begins to trump my identity as Christian. I found a way to realign myself.

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Obstacles for Pentecostals Engaging Science

In a previous blog, I offered five reasons I think the Pentecostal tradition is one of the most exciting voices in the science and theology dialogue. Now I want to explore three obstacles still to be overcome by Pentecostals who want to deepen and extend the dialogue.

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The Pentecostal and Science Promise

The Pentecostal tradition offers one of, if not the, most exciting conversation partners in the science-and-religion dialogue. Pentecostalism brings several assets to the conversation table.

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Evolution and the Freedom to Love

Contemporary theories in biology rely heavily upon the role of genetics.  Genetic-oriented theories tend toward describing organisms as programmed or controlled by genes.  If we want to affirm evolution and yet affirm the freedom to love, we must overcome the view our genes control us entirely.

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Are Millennials Lost or Enlightened?

A recent Pew poll shows significant gaps between younger and older Americans. Some of those gaps pertain to ethical issues many consider central to Christian faith.

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Why Men Should Not be Pastors

I find unconvincing the reasons people give for why women should not be ordained pastors or priests. For each reason, I can think of a corresponding reason a person might argue men should not be ordained.

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Books I’m Reading Right Now

I have been inspired and informed by some great books lately. Here is my current reading list:

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Why Young Christians Leave

A recent five-year study indicates that nearly 3 out every 5 young Christians disconnect from church permanently or for an extended period after age fifteen. Why? Here are 6 reasons from the George Barna five-year study:

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Is God Essentially Holy?

Our campus recently hosted Paul Young, author of the international best seller, The Shack. Young made a comment about God’s holiness that has me thinking…

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Christians Care about Science and Theology

For some Christians, the science-and-theology dialogue is peripheral to their faith. The heat from disagreement, conflict, and unresolved questions repels them. By contrast, I think Christians should care deeply about science. And they should intentionally engage the theology-and-science dialogue.

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The Essence of Christianity

“In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, love.” I like this ancient saying. But I’ve been wondering lately what the essentials of Christian faith might be.

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God in an Open Universe

A new book, God in an Open Universe: Science, Metaphysics, and Open Theism, has just been released. The book offers essays on the interconnections between Open theism and the natural sciences.

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Process and Wesleyan Theologies

Process theology is a way of thinking about God and the world that continues to attract Christians. Those who appreciate John Wesley’s theology are often especially attracted to process thinking.

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John Wesley: Theologian of Love

Love reigns as John Wesley's supreme theological and ethical category. It enjoys pride of place, he says, because love reigns supreme in the biblical witness. Admirers rightly call Wesley a theologian of love par excellence.

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Agape Theology

I heard several references to the work of Anders Nygren at the recent Oxford University conference I attended, “The Evolution of Morality.” Nygren’s agape theology continues to influence more than seventy years after its publication.

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The Consequences of Love

The upcoming morality of evolution/evolution of morality conference at Oxford I’m attending has me thinking more about science and love.

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God and Independence Day

The Sunday nearest U.S. Independence Day is perhaps the most frustrating of the year. I find myself asking, "How does a Christian in the United States celebrate responsibly the nation’s most patriotic day?"

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About this website

You’ve reached the online home of Thomas Jay Oord, a professor, author, and theologian from the Pacific Northwest. Read more