It is way too easy to judge and condemn others. We can see, for example, a prostitute on the street and think that it is sad she had to become a prostitute to survive. We might even try to help her in some way, even as we look down upon her, think poorly of her and condemn her in our minds. It is easy for us to do so, ignoring that, due to our circumstances, and our situation, we are... Read more
Empathy. Sympathy. Compassion. Kindness. Tolerance. Meekness. Humility. All of these qualities are those which should be associated with Christians. Christians should embrace them as they deal with others. This is because they are qualities which Christ uses to deal with humanity. Thus, Scripture tells us that Jesus is the high priest who is able to have empathy with us, and so sympathize with us and our condition, because he became one of us, and experiences the human condition with us... Read more
I often have Christians telling me that I am dealing with insignificant issues when I write on social justice or similar moral concerns (such as on the need to deal with climate change). They say that Christians should prioritize the salvation of souls. It is funny they do not do this when dealing with their own concerns, such as those around the culture wars, or their own theological reflections. It is only when they are challenged to do and be... Read more
Climate change is upon us, and has been upon us for a long time. We see and experience more and more of its devastating effects, such as in the increasing frequency of wildfires and terrible storms wrecking destruction all around the world. Sadly, many of its effects, at least initially, can be quite subtle, so that we do not notice them. It is only with hindsight can be see how climate change has adversely affected the world we live in... Read more
Jacob’s Ladder And Christ Scripture tells a story of Jacob having a dream in which he saw a ladder that made its way to heaven; on it he saw angels going up and down, that is coming and going between heaven and earth. It was not an ordinary dream, but one inspired by God, given to him to help present to Jacob various truths, truths which he (and others) should discern as they try to interpret the meaning of the... Read more
Sin corrupts and destroys that which is good, which is why, when we sin, we experience what is often described as “spiritual death.” For, when we sin, we attach ourselves to a lesser good, an attachment which gets in the way of our connection to the source and foundation of our being and to our spiritual vitality. That is, it interferes in our connection with God. Without that connection, our spirit suffers, so that, in a way, we can be... Read more
Throughout Scripture, and especially in the works of the prophets, we are told that God stands on the side of the poor, the widow, and the oppressed. Those who not only ignore the plight of those who are vulnerable, but make it worse, stand against God and God’s justice. If they do not repent, if they do not repair the harm they have done, God’s justice will come upon them, and they will experience the full force of the iniquities... Read more
I Wish We Didn’t Need To Talk About Politics Either I know many people do not want to talk about politics, but it is difficult for me to see all the malevolent actions done by the Trump administration, the way it is treating the poor, seniors, refugees, migrants, women, minorities, LGBQT, and its critics with such contempt, and not wonder how long this can go on. Will the American people, and the media, keep denying what is happening right in... Read more
The cross it the way of salvation. It is both the means which Jesus embraced so as to bring salvation to the world as well as a symbol which indicates a way of life we should follow if we want to properly receive that salvation. This is because, thanks to what Jesus has done, the cross has become a symbol of self-sacrifice, but not just any kind of self-sacrifice, but the sacrifice people make for the people they love. We... Read more
God is both transcendent and immanent, transcending all things and yet found in and able to be experienced through all things: He is outside of all things and within all things; He comprises all things and is comprised by none; He does not change either by increase or decrease, but is invisible, incomprehensible, complete, perfect, and eternal; He does not know anything from elsewhere, but He Himself is sufficient unto Himself to remain what He is.[1] God’s transcendence makes God... Read more
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