Catalyst Publications
Publications by Category
Long before Facebook, Twitter, and Pandora, communities enjoyed sharing each other’s personal updates, receiving public alerts, and hearing entertaining music. Giving validity to the proverb “There is nothing new under the sun,” understandi…
Apr/22/2015
In 591, Pope Gregory (The Great), preached a sermon in which he conflated three NT women into one. He identified Mary of Bethany with Mary Magdalene with the immoral woman of Luke 7, forever casting the image of Mary Magdalene as the immora…
Apr/13/2015
I have been asked on more than one occasion to explain how God can be three persons while remaining one God. These inquirers would believe in a triune God, I was assured, if only I could show them how the Trinity was possible. There have be…
Apr/08/2015
“Thanks so much, Jerry! I don’t know what I would have done without you. I am sure this will be the last time.” As Tony left his office, Jerry thought, “No, it won’t be the last time. You will be here again next month, and again the month a…
Apr/06/2015
[In part 1 of this lecture, I sketched Albert Outler’s significance and legacy, and in part 2 I discussed challenges posed to Outler’s contributions.]
Proposals
I want now to move from these challenges to Outler’s proposals — still insist…
Mar/30/2015
Pastoral care is a complicated skill. Motivated by compassion for others and a desire to be of service to God, pastors seek to bring the right ingredients for healing and growth to the lives of those in need. David G. Benner explains, “Pas…
Mar/25/2015
[In part 1 of this lecture, I sketched Albert Outler’s significance and legacy.]
Challenges
“Outler’s three most influential proposals for Wesleyan theology,” according to Jason Vickers, are (1) that John Wesley was a “folk-theo…
Mar/23/2015
Who is God? What is the central characteristic at the heart of God’s nature? There have been many answers in the Christian tradition. God has been seen as essentially immortal, undivided in essence, sovereign in power, as being itself. Alth…
Mar/18/2015
[Editor’s note: The following is the first in a three-part series, making available Longden’s Fondren Lecture at Perkins School of Theology’s Bridwell Library, 2015.]
The invitation to lecture on the legacy of Albert Outler is both an ho…
Mar/16/2015
Self-care represents a perennial need in ministry. When I work with seminarians in ministry internships, the need quickly becomes apparent. In truth, I expect it, yet I am still a bit surprised at how quickly and often it rises to the foref…
Mar/11/2015
WWJD? is a cultural phenomenon mostly spent. The bracelets have disappeared from the check-out aisle at Wal-Mart, and so have youth group talks that thought WWJD could cure hook-up culture. But WWJD hasn’t disappeared entirely. There’s that…
Mar/09/2015
Our theology does not come out of nowhere (see Thomas Nagel, The View from Nowhere [Oxford University Press, 1989]). As we reflect on how we come to know the various things that we know about God, it is clear that theology is emergent and d…
Mar/04/2015
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A Foundation for Theological Education (AFTE) John Wesley Fellowships have been awarded to three doctoral stud…
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Announcing that 2026 John Wesley Fellowship Scholarship Applications are now being accepted. Please see the at…
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JWF and Friends of AFTE, we look forward to you joining us Thursday-Sunday, January 15-18, 2026, for the AFTE …
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Twenty John Wesley Fellows, spouses, and friends were able to experience a trip of a lifetime. The travel itin…
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