“Apocalypse,” Part 1: “Fire and Ice”

Last updated on: March 8, 2022 at 8:18 pm By Gregory T. Smith

With the Russian invasion of Ukraine, many Christians turn their thoughts to the apocalypse. Are these the end times? In this new series, I’ll explore major themes in the book of Revelation. The first is the theme of apocalypse. Removing the Blinders Author Bill Bright writes about Anne Sullivan introducing her blind and deaf student Helen Keller the concept of God: Using a unique form of “finger language,” Anne began “spelling” words into the child’s hand, and eventually Helen recognized... Read more

Is All Scripture God-Breathed?

Last updated on: March 8, 2022 at 8:24 pm By Gregory T. Smith

Giving me that “I’ve got you stumped” look, the deacon folded his arms and tried to make me sweat. “Do you believe the Bible is the inerrant word of God? What do you think of 2 Timothy 3:16?” I had interviewed well so far but wondered if my answer would cause me problems. What Does the Bible Say About Itself? He probably didn’t like it very much when I avoided his chosen scripture and went to another one–Psalm 17:7-11... Read more

Are Christians Allowed to Meditate?

Last updated on: February 25, 2022 at 10:02 pm By Gregory T. Smith

“I’m a Christian,” said my coworker. “I’m not allowed to meditate.” He apologized that his religion prohibited him from attending a nonsectarian contemplative group at work. Sadly, his conservative church prevented practice that could have helped him find peace. Meditating On Purpose The first time I meditated on purpose was in a college course on Zen Buddhism, when the professor assigned us to sit zazen. The same semester, I also took a course in Taoism, in which the professor took... Read more

Deconstructing Designs: When A New Way Just Comes to You

Last updated on: February 20, 2022 at 7:35 pm By Gregory T. Smith

When you quit thinking about the problem and how to solve it, the answer just comes to you. Some years ago, I decided to graduate from tailgate camping to backpacking. In preparation, I began been assembling the gear I’d need for my excursion. One of the most important parts of my cook kit was the stove—and I decided to build my own. You can spend as much money as you want on... Read more

Where’s Christ in Communion?

Last updated on: February 21, 2022 at 8:00 pm By Gregory T. Smith

If you’re questioning your faith, you may find it difficult to experience God in the Lord’s Supper. But Communion can be redeemed if you know its history and reimagine its meaning for yourself. Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner Ancient humans believed the deities needed sacrifice just as surely as people need to eat. They understood the gods as mystically consuming the sacrificial meat through fiery digestion. In the Bible, when Pagan worshipers offered human or... Read more

Jesus and Trauma-Informed Care

Last updated on: February 19, 2022 at 1:35 pm By Gregory T. Smith

“What’s wrong with you?” I wanted to say–but that was the wrong question. Like me, you’ve wanted to ask the same question, when someone acts badly, mistreats you, or bullies another person. You may have even said this in a moment of frustration, wondering how a person could be so foolish, rude, or just plain evil. As soon as that little question escapes your lips, you know you’ve said the wrong thing. First, because those words cut like a knife,... Read more

The Gospel: Good News for Whom?

Last updated on: February 16, 2022 at 7:37 pm By Gregory T. Smith

Last night at Superbowl LVI, the Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals, 23/20. In sports, we accept that there must be winners and losers. But does this have to be true in religion? When it comes to the gospel, it must be good news for all, if it’s good news at all. Image by Press �� Love you � from Pixabay What’s the News? Suppose you just read about an earthquake that killed ninety percent of the population... Read more

Blest Be the Ties that Blind: How Unhealthy Attachments Prevent Us Seeing the Needs of Others

Last updated on: February 16, 2022 at 7:40 pm By Gregory T. Smith

The Lord’s Supper was over. The last morsel was chewed, the final drop swallowed, and the covers placed carefully back on the silver Communion set. With a single chord from the piano, members of the little congregation left their pews to form a circle down the center aisle. Strong voices making up for the quavering ones, we lifted our hearts in a single theme: “Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love; The fellowship of kindred minds... Read more

Blest Be the Lies that Bind: Controlling Teachings from the Lips of Leaders

Last updated on: February 12, 2022 at 11:37 am By Gregory T. Smith

Every. Single. Sunday. We all stood on cue and sang Blest Be the Ties That Bind after the offering was collected. It got old—and it got me thinking. There are ties and there are bindings that kill the spirit, yet the church holds these things as solid doctrine. In this article and the next, I’ll talk about the lies that bind, and the ties that blind believers’ hearts. Churches promote themselves as extended family. We sing songs like, “Bind us together with cords that cannot... Read more

Ten Things Christians Shouldn’t Say to Grieving People

Last updated on: February 6, 2022 at 5:41 pm By Gregory T. Smith

Sometimes you just wanna punch someone in church. Or yell. Or tell them to go away. Or at least you want to cringe, cover your ears, and tell them to stop. Sometimes Christians have no clue what to say to a person who is grieving–so they say stupid things. Usually, they are trying to be kind, and reaching for something to bring the other person comfort. But often the speaker subconsciously is trying to comfort themselves instead of their friend. Here’s... Read more