For a long time, suicide has been considered to be one of the worst sins possible. It was viewed as one of the freest acts possible, that is, there was no external influence upon the person to kill themselves, so that a suicidal person was entirely culpable for their actions. Suicide was similar to an act of murder, the unjust taking away of life, with the life being one’s own. If an attempted act of suicide was successful, there would... Read more
The young Swedish environmentalist, Greta Thunberg, has not only made a name for herself for encouraging environmental activism in the world, she has also made a great number of enemies who like to belittle her in the cruelest of ways possible. They degrade her, not only for her age, but for her gender. It’s not only Greta, other women, like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, working hard to help protect the planet from our abuse, not only because of immediate concerns that pollution... Read more
When philosophers and theologians talk about the existence of God, they talk about God in general. They do this in such a way that believers from various different religious traditions employ the same arguments to prove God exists without concern for the particular ways God is understood by different religious traditions. They not only share a belief in the existence of God being demonstrated by particular arguments, they do so without thinking the other does not really believe in God.... Read more
Since humanity as a whole is meant to act as stewards of creation, Christians should not neglect their responsibility to the world at large. It is not just a Christian duty, but Christians are expected to recognize it and follow it, not just for the reasons the rest of humanity understand as to why they should take care of creation, but because they see their actions as a way of showing their respect to God. Thus, as Christians, we must... Read more
With the revelation of God given to us at the cross, we are shown how God works for us in ways which goes beyond our expectations. His economic activity with us, and the whole world, overcomes the self-made glory of those who think themselves greater than all by lifting up and promoting the cause of those who have been humiliated and destroyed by the power of sin. God, as the God of the oppressed, not only joins himself in solidarity... Read more
After the destruction of the Temple, and the expulsion of the Jews from Israel, we see the ascendency of Rabbinic Judaism and of Christianity, both of which could be seen as offering interpretative reactions to what they believed to be major apocalyptic events in world history. Both Jews and Christians recognized the Torah and the prophets (the Tanakh) as the authority which were to be accorded to them, and yet, the way each side interpreted the Mosaic Covenant and the... Read more
Among the many dire predictions concerning the effects of climate change is that the changes in the environment will hinder the production of food and other necessities, leading to violence around the globe. That is, those who are poor and deprived will more likely seek new places to live, seek places where they can find food and shelter, but those who still possess some quantity of each will look down upon and with much cruelty turn back those who are... Read more
The greatness of God transcends the human imagination. While God reveals himself to us, especially through the incarnation of the Logos, what we receive and understand of God’s self-revelation is far less than what God is in himself, for God is incomprehensible to us. We understand him in a humanistic way with all the limitations of such understanding implied. Thanks to the incarnation, thanks to God becoming human, consubstantial with the rest of humanity, there certainly is a special connection... Read more
While the value of authentic religious sentiments raises people up so that they are caring people who better others as they better themselves, others like to appear good and holy because of the power and authority they think they gain from such appearances. Many of them become religious zealots, not because they truly believe, but for what they think they can gain; such people try to impose upon God their own expectations, revealing a blasphemous intent to control God instead... Read more
The abyss that is my soul invokes unceasingly The abyss that is my God. Which may the deeper be?[1] We cry out day and night, suffering with poverty of spirit. Where is God? Why do we feel so empty? But is that the foundation of blessedness, to be poor in spirit? “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:3 RSV). It’s because we try to possess God, to hold onto him, that he... Read more
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