the boy who broke the law and lost his father…

Last updated on: February 19, 2012 at 3:05 pm By George Elerick

if there is anything revolutionary within christianity, it is everything that lies outside of it. meaning, that christianity at its best must be receptive to the ‘trauma of the secular’, rather than resist it (as it has historically). the anarchic kernel within christianity resides not in the creeds, not even in the bible itself, but rather in freud and lacan (or psychoanalysis). who, as people, resisted christianity (aka, conversion), however, in the present future their ghosts are assisting in... Read more

(continued ) a parable:the murder of the farm owner’s son

Last updated on: February 17, 2012 at 11:08 am By Ron Cole

Continuing on from my recent post ” a parable: the murder of the farm owner’s son ” investigating the crime scene. So the owner, ( God ), sends his son, ( Jesus ) into the midst of the vineyard, ( creation ) to confront the tenants ( humanity ) about the fruit ( the fullness of the Kingdom ) the tenants have produced. In the reality of what the Kingdom should be, where the fruit that is produced by the vineyard produces abundant life for ” everyone “,... Read more

Peter Mayer Music Video: “Holy Now”

Last updated on: February 16, 2012 at 3:37 pm By Michael Dowd

Here’s another music video that I use in contemporary worship settings all the time. The music and lyrics are by Peter Mayer. The photos were taken, and videography done, by my beloved wife and mission partner, Connie Barlow. Read more

What is an Evangelical?

Last updated on: February 16, 2012 at 3:32 pm By Christian Piatt

The “E Word” in Christianity is a funny thing. In one respect, Evangelicals are self-identified, and therefore, self-defined. On the other, popular culture (particularly media) lays its own meaning on what it means to be Evangelical. In the latter context, the word inevitably translates to “Conservative Christian.” But I think this definition isn’t fair. What’s more, it’s not accurate. I’m a self-proclaimed “word nerd,” so I tend to turn to etymology for help. The root meaning of “evangelical,” at least... Read more

Thank God for DEATH: Could Anything be More Sacred? More Necessary? More Real?

Last updated on: February 15, 2012 at 1:36 pm By Michael Dowd

I want address the question of death because most people, religious and non-religious folk alike, are unaware of what God/Reality has revealed about death in the past few hundred years, through science. And this ignorance has resulted in untold suffering — for families and for society as a whole, as well as for individuals. I am regularly asked (more often since I was diagnosed with cancer two years ago), “Do you believe in an afterlife? What do you think happens to us... Read more

a parable: the murder of the owner’s son

Last updated on: February 15, 2012 at 10:19 am By Ron Cole

What is the Kingdom? we get our first glimpse in the garden…harmony, the reality of what communion really is, and should be…God, humanity and creation as one. We see the prophets continuously, like editors in the script of the human story popping up…to re-focus us to fix the injustice of broken communion. Not just make me better, me and God being soul mates…but this beautiful interconnectedness of the three, God, humanity and creation. It get’s to the point much... Read more

A Seat at The Table: Negative Space

Last updated on: February 14, 2012 at 10:24 pm By Mike Stavlund

For many years, I dreamed of attending a church where creativity was rampant, where artists were empowered to lead, and where artistry was revealed in many other people as well. A church of creativity for the many (parishioners), rather than the few (clergy). A few years back, I realized with some pleasure that I was in fact attending just such a church, though I was at a loss to understand how it had come to be. My best hope is... Read more

Should We Teach Disgust As A Religious Value?

Last updated on: February 12, 2012 at 9:28 pm By Joseph Edelheit

“Disgust is one of the six basic human emotions that any healthy adult can experience and recognize. Emotional disgust is the only one, among living creatures, that’s unique to humans, and the only one that has to be learned.” (“What We Find Gross, and Why,” Robin Matrantz Henig, a review in the NYT 1/20/12 of That’s Disgusting: Unraveling the Mysteries of Repulsion by Rachel Herz) After reading the review of Herz’s book, I also heard her discuss it on NPR... Read more

Evidence as Modern-Day Scripture: What’s Real and What’s Important TODAY

Last updated on: February 12, 2012 at 9:44 pm By Michael Dowd

Few things dishonor and diminish God more severely than thinking of “scripture”, “God’s word”, or “divine revelation” as being limited to the Bible, rather than also reflecting humanity’s current and most up-to-date scientific, historic, and cross-cultural evidence. Indeed, I would argue that the health and wellbeing of families, nations, and our world in the 21st century will be enormously impacted by how religious individuals and institutions think about concepts such as “divine communication,” and “divine guidance.” I offer the following... Read more

For those who know: a modern parable

Last updated on: February 11, 2012 at 8:56 pm By Eric English

It may have occurred to you as strange my friend when the ravenous vultures began to circle and their constant heckle seemed to contradict their once ominous cry. Even then they cried with the same retched tone, without ever saying anything of substance, which could have provided an explanation for their dogma. I suppose if our great teacher had figured it all out as theirs did, we all would be one big happy family. However, when our teacher came he... Read more