Are we saints in our own eyes? The answer makes a lot of difference in our lives. People who think of themselves as “bad,” often get worse. People who think of themselves as “good,” often become even better. In fact, a negative self-image is not only toxic, it also warps our image of others. So we have to ask, “Is telling people they are “sinners,” a worthwhile thing? I say there are better ways. Are there other considerations, such as... Read more
Was it a cosmic error? Reflecting on this during Easter, it’s not easy to understand the significance of this event. Did Jesus, like so many other people, put himself in the crosshairs of corrupt political and religious rulers for a cause he believed in? Or did Jesus make the ultimate sacrifice for what is called “penal substitution” for all of us? (That is, “You did wrong, now you must pay. So Jesus paid the debt.”) Or was there more going... Read more
The hijacking of Christianity. Part 6 of 6 People wonder why Christianity seems to be fading away. The percentage of people claiming “no religious preference” has risen significantly, from two percent in 1948 to twenty-two percent in 2023. Only eleven percent of Gen Zers report attending religious services weekly. Thirty-eight percent report never attending religious services. Many in Generation Z won’t step foot in a church because of negative perceptions or because they see no use for it. The purpose... Read more
The hijacking of Christianity. Part 5 of 6 A “zealot” is defined as someone fanatically pursuing religious, political, or other ideals, or a member of an ancient Jewish sect resisting Roman rule. They are unlike a mere fanatic who is intensely interested. A zealot more closely resembles an extremist holding extreme religious or political views, potentially advocating extreme action. Today, some embody both: religious and political extremists who conflate the two and may advocate resistance to the point of violence.... Read more
The hijacking of Christianity. Part 4 of 6 Would you be surprised to learn that many in our government and military adopted one of the most insidious notions ever to walk the path of Christianity? “Jesus was wrong,” they proclaim. It’s not about love, it’s about power! Spirituality and religion were blended with politics to create a demonic caricature. Podcast show links with added content: Substack, YouTube video, Spotify, and Apple podcasts. These appear a day after blog-article posts. The... Read more
Gen Z vs. Corporate Christianity: A Battle for Authenticity. Part 3 of 6 Is it true that nothing moves without money or political might? Or are we overlooking the true engines of change? For reference, in my new book, Unleash Movements that Matter: Break Through Barriers to Change, I explore how transformative change often originates from individual actions, not established power structures. Think Rosa Parks, whose refusal to yield her bus seat ignited a movement. Jesus, too, began without worldly... Read more
How has Christianity been hijacked and what can we do about it? Part 2. Very powerful forces want to remake Christianity in their own image. We have to decide for ourselves if these messages represent Jesus or some self-serving interest. Today’s churches have a crucial role to play in championing what is humane and just. If it’s inhumane it doesn’t represent love, and therefore, cannot accurately represent the teachings of Jesus. How can we prevent this takeover of Christianity. Podcast... Read more
The fear is that with AI use, human creativity will cease Reading time: the best invested 14 minutes of your creative life. Summary Are you a church or other musician, a writer about religion and other topics, or a filmmaker? Are you worried AI will eliminate your job? Here is good news for you. The creative world is buzzing with concerns about AI. Videos and articles shout doomsday headlines about how AI will replace us or kill us. But can... Read more
How has Christianity been hijacked and what can we do about it? Part 1 of 6 This era bears a striking resemblance to the time when churches grappled with the issue of slavery. While many congregations recognized its inherent inhumanity and the urgent need for its abolition, others, unfortunately, aligned themselves with the prevailing political and social norms of their regions, which supported the institution of slavery. When many states tried to secede, this division ultimately led to the devastating... Read more
Can AI police itself? A futuristic story 18 minutes reading time, high school level. Or see the audio and video podcast links below. Foreword I wrote this as a story to make it easier to understand. This is about AI, which people have many warranted concerns about, such as concerns about privacy, job displacement, and the unknown. New technology is a difficult topic for people to understand. I understand that. Biblical references are included. I worked in the field, and... Read more
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