Incorruptible
There certainly is a place for intolerance. The theological idea representative of that place is called ‘hell’….in as much as heaven is synonymous with perfect acceptance, the embrace of an eternal Father. My only issue with a strict evangelical soteriology is how the boundaries are drawn …. and every religious sect claims scriptural authority for … More Hell no!
Every mythology has its joker tradition. That clown with the sardonic laugh with no regard for convention and rules, master of impersonation, that comes to test the mettle of whatever is considered precious or sacrosanct in society. In the Judeo Christian tradition, he is Satan the devil, it’s his laugh the beguiled hears in the … More The Joker
Having just watched our own national ritual of ancestor worship, I am reminded of Jesus’ frustration: “In vain do they worship me teaching as doctrine the commandments of men.” The New English Translation says “Their teachings are merely human rules/commandments. Jesus knew that for worship to be effective, it has to be both sincere and … More Heroes Day Reflections
On one of the rare occasions Jesus is associated with people rejection, he declared his particular displeasure with lukewarm. He clearly likes his people either cold or hot. One can argue that that metaphor was clearly coined before climate change. With extremes of temperature setting continental fires on the one hand and on the other … More Cool conversations
I’ve had a number of conversations with my theologically trained friends on my disdain for much of Christian Apologetics – not that I completely discount its value, but that I am completely convinced of its marginal contribution to the perpetuation of authentic Christian faith, a thing not based on scholarship of any sort, but on … More Why I worship Yeshua
14 essays spanning 14 years: Reflections on the Unity of the Christian Church Quench not the Spirit In Remembrance of me Empathy and Revival Closing Ranks Jesus’ infant bride The Possibility and Promise of CHRISTIAN UNITY A seed for a mighty harvest A Vision of Unity Worshiping or Butchering Jesus God is not a Christian … More 14 Essays on Church Unity
A friend sent me two blog posts from Frank Viola, one of the top Christian bloggers on the internet. The first: To my miracle-obsessed Friends, the second: To my miracle-doubting friends. Should I summarize and de-theologize his main argument? ‘Character is more important than spiritual power’. However, Frank is talking to church people, who by … More It’ll take a miracle
I still enjoy friendship with those whose views on essential matters – politics, religion, cosmology, sexuality, ethics. aesthetics are diametrically opposite to mine, some which are admittedly high maintenance, with the stakes being so high in our presently polarized culture on the verge and in some cases, already in the throes of profound and perhaps … More Ostrich or eagle?
The most compelling truth about human being is that its all about the story. All we are, were and ever will be are stories. Living, breathing stories. Hence narrative is everything. Who tells, and how is told the stories we perpetuate create the foundation of our experienced reality and understood truth. Certainly for me, at … More A United State in the Americas
My atheist friend Sam Harris tellingly said that under any circumstances you will always have bad people doing bad things; but it takes religion to get good, decent people to do despicable things. While he was speaking mostly about savage things like clitorodectomy and suicide bombers, really the list is virtually endless. Someone immersed in … More The Trump Cult
