Is God Really Knowable? Here’s What Jesus and Lao Tzu Say…

Last updated on: April 21, 2024 at 7:19 am By Gregory T. Smith

How do you describe Ultimate Reality? Judaism called it YHWH. Jesus translated this as “Ego Eimi.” Lao Tzu called it the Tao, or “The Way.” Christians often view God incorrectly as an old grandfather in the sky. It’s no wonder—throughout Church history, artists depicted God in this way. When pressed, believers often admit that God is ultimately indescribable. But an indescribable God is hard to wrap your head around. Jews, Christians, and Taoists Jesus and the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu... Read more

Tipping Your Church’s Sacred Cows While Avoiding Cow Pies

Last updated on: March 24, 2024 at 7:19 am By Gregory T. Smith

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Cow tipping at church can be fun. Here’s how to tip sacred cows while avoiding the messy repercussions of stepping in cow pies. “Sacred cow” is a fascinating term appropriated from Hindu custom. If you travel to India, you will find places where cattle roam freely in the streets. Because many Hindus consider cows to be holy, of course, they abstain from eating beef. But in some places, cows wander at will, obstruct traffic, and leave their excrement everywhere. The... Read more

How are Jesus & Lao Tzu Like Peanut Butter Cups?

Last updated on: March 24, 2024 at 10:56 am By Gregory T. Smith

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How are Jesus and Lao Tzu like Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups? They are the two great faiths that faith great together! Do you remember the old TV commercials where two cowboys sit by the fire? As they accidentally bump into each other snacks collide. Each one looks to the other with furrowed brows. “You got your chocolate in my peanut butter,” the first one drawls. The second, just as offended, says, “You got your peanut butter on my chocolate!” The... Read more

Preaching Jesus on Other Planets (And Earth, Too)

Last updated on: March 2, 2024 at 6:39 pm By Gregory T. Smith

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What would Christianity look like on a different planet? How can we determine which truths are earthbound, and which are universal? Imagine you’re a Christian missionary on a planet closer to its sun, where a thin atmosphere does not block harmful solar radiation. People have adapted to the harsh environment by burrowing into the planet’s crust, where it is cool and dark. Like bats, they have developed keen ears and dull eyesight. Inhabitants take trips to the surface at night when... Read more

Christian & Pagan Holidays: Easter Bunnies Come from Ostara

Last updated on: April 21, 2024 at 11:46 am By Gregory T. Smith

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Religious killjoys, terrified of anything non-Christian, warn of Easter’s Pagan origins. Yet, we can reconcile and honor both traditions. Most Jesus followers know someone afraid of anything impure that might creep in from outside Christendom. These are the hyper-religious types who insist you can get a demon from playing Dungeons & Dragons. They’re certain that their kids will become witches if they read a Harry Potter book. And they love to debunk fun Christian holidays by telling you about their... Read more

Jesus and Lao Tzu at the Well of Living Water

Last updated on: April 21, 2024 at 7:35 am By Gregory T. Smith

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What did Jesus mean by “living water?” A 2,500-year-old Chinese text may give a clue. Let’s compare the words of Jesus and Lao Tzu. In honor of World Water Day, March 22 this year, I want to look at the spiritual meaning of water from two great traditions—Christianity and Taoism. The following is adapted from a book I am writing. The book’s working title is The Tao of Love: The Way of Jesus. In this article, I will discuss the mystical... Read more

Inner Healing: Prescriptions for Medication and Meditation

Last updated on: February 25, 2024 at 6:07 pm By Gregory T. Smith

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Every day I work with people who experience physical and emotional pain. While I can’t prescribe their medication, I do prescribe meditation. Bertha’s story: A few years ago, I paid a pastoral visit to Bertha (not her real name) in the hospital. She impressed me by the way she bore up under the pain of her medical treatments. Bertha told me, “I heard the Lord say in my mind, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So, I began... Read more

Is God the Source of Good and Evil?

Last updated on: February 25, 2024 at 8:54 am By Gregory T. Smith

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Are God and Satan equal and opposite? Does God get credit for good, while we blame the devil for evil? Is God the source of good and evil? Recently, a friend asked me the following question: “I’m still kinda on my spiritual journey in trying to be a better Christian but I still got questions in my head that hold me back sometimes. I was wondering if you could help me out with if you had time…I’ve seen and read... Read more

An Open Letter to Pastors: Child Sacrifice on Church Altars

Last updated on: February 19, 2024 at 8:08 am By Gregory T. Smith

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Pastors with children of their own may be sacrificing them to a false god, without even knowing it. Read on to see what I mean… One Good Molech Sermon Every pastor has at least one good Molech sermon, vividly describing Canaanite child sacrifice by laying the infant on the red-hot arms of the fiery metal idol. It’s good for that cringe effect from your congregation that rivets them to their pews and lets you know they’re listening. It might get... Read more

What miraculous catch did Peter witness after obeying Jesus?