Oh, no! Not again? Yes, again. Another law enforcement officer shooting and the killing of an unarmed black person. This one happened at 2:15 pm, Saturday, January 8, 2022, in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Off duty Cumberland County Sheriff deputy Lt. Jeffrey Hash put to death Jason Walker, age 37. Whether Hash hit Walker with his truck or Walker jumped on to Hash’s hood and windshield is yet to be discerned. Witnesses are not agreed on what happened. Regardless, Walker suffered... Read more
The Public Theology of Binoy Jacob Patheos PT 5004 What is public theology? Let me answer by introducing you to Pax Lumina. More importantly, let me introduce you to Binoy Jacob, S.J., its managing editor. In Luke 4, Jesus quotes Isaiah. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let... Read more
Short Prayers? What about Beauty? O LORD, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!…When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers…Psalm 8:1,3a Before we can construct a theology of beauty, we need an experience of beauty. Nature’s beauty–in an uncanny way–reveals the God of beauty and the beauty of God. Yosemite Alpenglow “Now came the solemn, silent evening. Long, blue spiky-edged shadows crept out across the snow-fields, while a rosy glow, at first... Read more
The Public Theology of Robert Benne Patheos PT 5007 The public theology of Robert Benne provides a reality check. Just what is human nature? How can we forecast the good and the bad in human politics? How can we inspire a lofty vision of the common good while being realistic about what is and is not achievable? When public theologian Robert Benne looks through his paradoxical lenses, he can dispel delusions about both the reality of God and the reality... Read more
What is Epiphany? Oh, yes, the three wise men on camels show up at Jesus’ manger with gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But the significance of epiphany here is that knowledge of God’s plan of grace has now spread from Israel to Iran (Persia) and the wider world. We celebrate this event each year on January 6. What is epiphany? Try 2 Timothy 1:10 for an answer. “It has now been revealed through the appearing [epiphany] of our Saviour Christ Jesus,... Read more
NASA and religion? Really? Yes, really. NASA and Priests Preparing for ETI Contact? SR 1168 “NASA is hiring priests to prepare humans for contact with aliens,” reads one headline. “NASA paid priests to figure out how to deal with aliens,” reads another. [Alien in spiritual triangle by Thomas Larch] Is NASA actually teaming up with clergy to better prepare terrestrial society for extraterrestrial encounter? Yes. And No. Sorta. But, it’s old news. The consultation took place during 2016 at Princeton... Read more
Short Prayers? What about Truth? And, What is Truth, anyhow? “Let anyone with ears to hear listen!” Luke 8:8b Without an ear inclined to listen and to receive the truth, there can be no revelation. Jesus asks us to get out the Q-Tips and clear our ears from debris so that we can hear the truth of God when it’s spoken to us. Actually, a well crafted short prayer would make an effective Q-Tip. Crisis at the Border The time... Read more
The public theologian should engage American discourse by offering a narrative of hope employing three fruitful terms: Recognition, Redirection, and Renewal. Read more
"Public theology is a theological-philosophical endeavor to provide a broader frame of reference to facilitate the responsibility of the church and theological ethics for social, political, economic, and cultural issues. It investigates public issues, developing conceptual clarity and providing social-ethical guidance of religious conviction and response to them" Read more
The prophet Isaiah foretold the coming of the Prince of Peace, the Lord of Lords, and the King of Kings. The messenger angel, Gabriel, announced to Mary and Joseph that the child of the Most High would soon be born. The three Wise Men of the East had already boarded their camels and were on the way to site of that birth. So, I ask: why didn’t anybody phone ahead to the Bethlehem Holiday Inn and reserve a room? “Christmas... Read more
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