Bible Pop Quiz

April 25, 2015 by Miguel De La Torre

No one reads or interprets the Bible literally – regardless as to what they profess. To do so is simplistic, if not dangerous. All of us read our bias, our theology, and our social location into the text. There is no such thing as an objective reading;…

Why Does God Need a Penis?

March 28, 2015 by Miguel De La Torre

Close your eyes and imagine what God looks like. More than likely, you pictured in your mind a male body. Maybe the image is something similar to Michelangelo’s renowned mural The Creation of Adam (1512) in the Sistine Chapel, in which God is illustrated as an…

Toward a Theology of Hopelessness

March 14, 2015 by Miguel De La Torre

One of the unexamined assumptions of the Christian faith is a theology that is based on esperanza, on hope. “All things works for the good of those who love God, and who has been called according to God’s purpose” (Ro. 8:28). To hope in English is to…

50 Shades toward Christian-Based Sadomasochism

February 21, 2015 by Miguel De La Torre

Much ado has been made about the blockbuster Fifty Shades of Grey, a disappointing screen adaptation of E. L. James’s poorly written bestseller. And yet, the film’s opening weekend box office take was $81.7 million! The allure of titillating forbidden desire sells. By now we are…

What is Due to Soldiers of Unjust Wars?

January 18, 2015 by Miguel De La Torre

I am standing near the terminal gate waiting to board my plane, which is running 20 minutes late. Although my boarding pass has me in Zone 2, I have traveled enough to know it will be a while before my zone is actually called, for different…

Trying to be Pro-Life

May 8, 2014 by Miguel De La Torre

Most of those who self-identify as “pro-life” or believe in the “sanctity of life” are neither.  To truly be pro-life is to believe that all life, created by God, has worth, dignity, and purpose; therefore, no human, under any circumstance, has the right to play…

The ethics of Dexter Morgan

February 20, 2014 by Miguel De La Torre

Dexter Morgan, the fictional character on the popular Showtime series, Dexter, is a forensic blood splatter analyst for the Miami Police homicide department. Those who watched the eight seasons (as I just binge watched) know that Dexter is a sociopath with supposedly no feelings or conscience….

The Screwtape E-mails

January 16, 2014 by Miguel De La Torre

On Wed, Dec 4, 2013 at 5:36 PM, Screwtape screwtape@hotmail.com; wrote: Dearest Wormwood, It is with great pleasure that I hear of the success you are having with your Christian patient. Just because they say they follow the Enemy does not mean they are lost to…

A Prayer for Sandy Hook

December 18, 2012 by Miguel De La Torre

Oh Lord, my God, how majestic is your name throughout the earth. Your love and mercy abound and endure forever. A young innocent sparrow does not fall without your knowledge. And yet, I again find myself asking where you were while the innocent were being…

Equal Time with Al Mohler

November 19, 2012 by Miguel De La Torre

Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., was quoted widely concerning the re-election of President Barack Obama. If afforded equal time, here’s how I would respond to comments attributed to him Nov. 8 on NPR, the New York Timeson Nov. 9 and…