Deep. Fresh. Free.

There are all kinds of ways to get educated these days.  Here are 3 wells that I drink from that I wanted to share with you before I leave Sunday and my brain gets turned to mush (but a tasty mush) at SSU.

I like to read reasonable people who have something to say or know some great questions to ask.  These three represent people better known as authors or academics than pastors.  I don’t read them every day but regularly.  All three are rich in content and easy to read and with which to engage (ie. they interact with their readers in the comments).  Sometimes the comments alone are well worth the read.

First up, Roger Olson.  Roger describes himself this way: “I am a Christian theologian of the evangelical Baptist persuasion.  I am also a proud Arminian!”  He is the Professor of Theology at George W. Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor University.  I love his perspective, even when I don’t agree with it.  He is a great thinker and asks honest questions.  Those who lean towards Calvin need Olson in their lives.  Those who are, like Olson, proud Arminians, need Olson to keep their hearts and minds challenged with questions about things that matter.

He covers a wide range of topics and issues.  He’s good stuff. http://www.patheos.com/blogs/rogereolson/

Second is Scot McKnight.  McKnight is one of my favourite authors – a sort of N.T. Wright for Dummies.  He’s got a load of cred to his name but here’s the short info on what he does: “Scot McKnight is a recognized authority on the New Testament, early Christianity, and the historical Jesus. He is the Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary in Lombard, IL.”  One of the things I enjoy about his blog is the very interactive comments.  You can get into some very good and meaningful discussions without flame wars.  Scot covers current events, theology, pastoral concerns and with the help of RJS, science and faith.  If you only read one of these 3, this is the one I would most highly recommend.

McKnight’s blog is called “Jesus Creed” and you can read his book by the same name.  Here’s the link.  http://www.patheos.com/blogs/jesuscreed/

Third is Ben Witherington III or B3.  B3 is a prolific blogger.  He shares everything from archaeological insights to movie reviews all the way to current theological studies.  B3 cuts to the core of some really essential issues and if you want a taste of seminary without the tuition, get a daily dose of B3.  Some of his basic bio info: “Bible scholar Ben Witherington is Amos Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary and on the doctoral faculty at St. Andrews University in Scotland. A graduate of UNC, Chapel Hill, he went on to receive the M.Div. degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. from the University of Durham in England. He is now considered one of the top evangelical scholars in the world, and is an elected member of the prestigious SNTS, a society dedicated to New Testament studies.”

B3 is another rich resource.  The comment section is a great opportunity to interact but you can find yourself in over your head on some of the more theological discussions.  Here’s the link.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/bibleandculture/

If you like to think and you want to hear voices that don’t sound just like your own, check these 3 blogs out.  If you want to be challenged to go beyond the surface of belief and dig around in the substance of the why and what of your beliefs, check these 3 blogs out.  If you like to keep life simple and Sunday School was quite enough for you, you’ll want to avoid all 3.

There's a lot I still don't know but one thing I know I'm sure of is that God has created some safe wells full of fresh water.