Mike Wittmer

What I think. What I know. What I think I know.

  • preseason in Michigan

    Even the kids know it’s not a great time to live in Michigan.

  • better than you think

    [I am trying to hate Tim Tebow]. I’m sure he is a fine Christian man, but a couple of years ago his Florida Gators defeated my Ohio State Buckeyes in the national championship game, turning a proud program and sweater vest into the laughingstock of the SEC. OSU is the only one of my teams…

  • beer is not the answer

    In his excellent book, Unpacking Forgiveness, Chris Brauns makes the point that forgiveness means reconciliation, and it’s impossible to be reconciled with someone who has not repented and asked for forgiveness. Since no party has yet admitted they were wrong, I am not sure what Obama’s beer party on Thursday afternoon is going to accomplish.…

  • close to home

    How’s this for serendipity?  Yesterday a girl ran over my parents’ mailbox.  She was texting.

  • hang up already

    Maureen Dowd, a columnist who is always fun to read, has a good column today on the evils of driving while talking on a cell phone. I understand that there are exceptions and emergencies, but as someone who drives a two seater hatchback, I’m willing to go out on a limb and say that insofar…

  • global warming, please!

    Unless the new GM sells a lot more SUV’s in West Michigan this week, we will set the record for the coldest July ever (or at least since 1870, when we started keeping track of such things).   I’m not sure what this means, but I do know three things:  1. I haven’t been to the…

  • wright and wrongs

    I know I should probably return to Wright’s “Justification” and give a full review, but I am so disappointed by his lack of clarity (per our last discussion) that I’m not sure it’s worth it.  I think it’s a good book and I’m thankful for it, but I’d prefer to save my time for when…

  • christian cliches

    My good buddy Zach Bartels has written a provocative post on Christian buzzwords.  My own pet peeve, which may not bother most of you, is how Christians ask God to bless or help or do something for “those we come into contact with,” which is just a spiritual way to say “meet.”  Normally we meet…

  • what to read for the reformation and modern church

    Again, feel free to add your recommendations.  And I apologize for the formatting issues. 4. Reformation Church a. Survey George, Timothy.  Theology of the Reformers.  Nashville:  Broadman Press, 1999. MacCulloch, Diarmaid.  The Reformation:  A History.  New York:  Penguin Books, 2003.   Hillerbrand, Hans J.  The Reformation:  A Narrative History Related by Contemporary Observers and Participants.  New…

  • what to read in the early and medieval church

    A pastor asked me what he could read for a basic understanding of historical theology.  Out of all the great books out there, here is what I recommended.  I don’t claim that this is an exhaustive list, but it will give someone a solid foundation in the important theologians and the history of doctrine.  I…