Today I contemplate the Greek word charis. It is often translated as grace. But it is better translated as gift. It is the word from which charismatics take their name. They claim empowerment through gifts of the Holy Spirit. The gifts are to be used to benefit the community of disciples. Even when they are not the same, all gifts are for all. Gratitude Good and Bad. I was taught to be polite when receiving a gift. Reminders were often... Read more
The last few weeks has been a lesson in judgment. Or rather I should say judgmentalism. As usual the sinful attitude infected many of us. The story of 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse getting a ride from his mom across state lines to take part in opposing a Black Live Matter rally disgusted me. It still disgusts me. No one had to die that night. And no one had to kill anyone else. But it happened. Violence begets violence. The attitude that... Read more
I am about to spend an hour and a half in study that has nothing to do with the Bible. It is the final installment for an online series on “discipleship.” Another recent continuing education offering for clergy was about becoming a better storyteller. I look at these offerings and then scan the book cases in my study. There I see some very dated resource materials, commentaries, and studies dealing with the Bible. I have not purchased very many of... Read more
Heresy is not often the equivalent of insanity. We who grew up during the cold war know how the Soviet government often declared political dissidents mentally ill. So, I do not say this flippantly that MAGA Christianity is both heretical and insane. Heresy is often the charge the majority lays on the minority. But its original meaning is division. The concept of heresy being about false ideas or doctrines is secondary. I can continue being in communion with people who... Read more
Resentment is powerful. But it is not constructive. The only result is destruction. Unfortunately, this truth is not as obvious to people holding on to resentments. In a recent post, I discussed how cults tend to appeal to resentments to gain members. People are motivated by appeals to their grievances. And yet, the unfulfilled promises left by the makes this sense of grievance worse. Resentful people often believe their feelings are justified. Perpetuated injustices cause resentments to simmer. Injustice leads... Read more
The gospel of Matthew can be called the refugee gospel. Scholars think it is the product of the aftermath of the Jewish War with the destruction of the Temple in AD 70. It grew out of the early Christian community that formed from these refugees in Antioch. Matthew brings an understanding of forced displacement to the Gospel of Christ. The book does this in more than one way. It illustrates the beginning of the division of the Christians from the... Read more
Once again the followers of Q gathered for The Storm. Once again it didn’t happen. Why do they persist? Good question. Why does any death cult flourish? Because the members devote themselves to something that is very powerful. That very powerful thing is…their opinion of themselves. How many times have you tried reasoning with someone only to hear in response, “My mind is made up?” This time around it is “I did my own research.” Too often those who try... Read more
Faith is good. Bad faith is awful. I cannot count the number of people I know who have been harmed by Christians acting in bad faith. I read another account today. We need ways to protect ourselves against bad faith assumptions and practices. The only method I can think of is to point them out in the beginning. Here are the worst examples of bad faith. Bad Faith Is Contrary to Reason Faith is not believing when reason tells you... Read more
I am tired. I know you are too. We are plagued by the same demon. Acedia comes from the word describing the sleepy feeling people get in the afternoon usually after lunchtime in the West. I recall in high school that feeling keeping me from paying attention in Algebra 1. I couldn’t help it. Being alert was not possible for me. Evagrius Ponticus reminded me of this as I read again his Praktikos. He describes the demon this way. First of... Read more
My previous post brought a few good comments from people who have seen the same dangers I have. Now I want to reflect on Spiritual Welfare which is the way out of the trap. How we take care of ourselves is as important as our goals for health and wellbeing. There is no way to peace, as the saying goes, “peace is the way.” Our spiritual welfare depends on the ways we choose to help ourselves. Christian spirituality is rooted... Read more
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