It’s Good Friday! The day Christians throughout the world celebrate the Atonement made on the cross. But what does Atonement mean? And how was it accomplished? In this episode of the RavenCast, Suzanne Ross and the Rev. Adam Ericksen discuss the history of Atonement theories and what the Atonement means for us today. Stay up to date on the RavenCast by liking the RavenFoundation Facebook page! Video MP3 Show Notes N.T. Wright claims that Jesus did not give us a... Read more
A day after celebrating Jesus’s glorious triumph over death, the state of Arkansas is set to crucify him all over again. We never stop killing Jesus, not really. Guns and missiles and bombs obliterate living image-bearers of God on a daily basis. From famines in Yemen to poisonous water in Flint, people are dying from disasters we could mitigate if we invested in the will and resources to nurture life rather than wield death. Whatever we do to or fail... Read more
NT Wright has a very helpful way of explaining the Atonement. He states that, “When Jesus wanted to explain to his followers what his death would mean he didn’t give them a theory, he gave them a meal on one hand and a dramatic action on the other.” Today is Maundy Thursday, the day when we remember that meal and the dramatic action Jesus shared with his disciples. “Maundy” comes from the Latin word mandatum, which means mandate. The mandate... Read more
Pastors have a frequent question when they begin to discover mimetic theory. “That’s great. But how does it preach?” Reverend Tom Truby shows that mimetic theory is a powerful tool that enables pastors to preach the Gospel in a way that is meaningful and refreshing to the modern world. Each Wednesday, Teaching Nonviolent Atonement will highlight his sermons as an example of preaching the Gospel through mimetic theory. Jesus tought us to love our neighbors, but who is our neighbor? In... Read more
Donald Trump changed his mind on Syria after the sarin gas attack last Tuesday. The attack killed 70 people, including 10 children. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad denies using the chemical weapons and blames rebel forces. Trump blames Assad. Russia asserts they had no planes in the area, so Putin isn’t responsible for the gas airstrikes that killed 70 civilians. The geo-political crisis is escalating as accusations fly. Trump moved away from his “America First” isolationism and bombed Syrian air fields.... Read more
I don’t think we can underestimate the potential of individuals, small community gestures of hospitality as a way of breaking through the powers of disgust. -Dr. Martha Reineke Are you disgusted and outraged by American politics? In this episode of the RavenCast, Martie Reineke explains the psychology of disgust and outrage to help us navigate these emotions. She also provides suggestions for how to neutralize disgust in ways that can foster better politics in our nation and in the world.... Read more
Pastors have a frequent question when they begin to discover mimetic theory. “That’s great. But how does it preach?” Reverend Tom Truby shows that mimetic theory is a powerful tool that enables pastors to preach the Gospel in a way that is meaningful and refreshing to the modern world. Each Wednesday, Teaching Nonviolent Atonement will highlight his sermons as an example of preaching the Gospel through mimetic theory. In this sermon, Tom explores Jesus raising Lazarus from death to life. Jesus... Read more
(Spoiler warning … But c’mon, you know the story …) Disney has an agenda in its latest move, Beauty and the Beast. Their goal couldn’t be more overt if they slapped you in the face. The Disney Agenda is to challenge Christians to be better Christians. Near the beginning of the film, Belle goes to her town’s library, which is also the town’s church. She enters the building and greets Pere Robert, or Father Robert, a priest dressed in a... Read more
There will be no justice until the weakest members of our society are cared for, are able to have a life free of hunger and poverty, when we welcome the stranger, and when we clothe the widow and orphan. Until we start to care for all members of our society, none of us are safe. None of us will ever experience lasting peace. -Susan Wright, President of Theology and Peace In the latest episode of the RavenCast, I talked... Read more
Pastors have a frequent question when they begin to discover mimetic theory. “That’s great. But how does it preach?” Reverend Tom Truby shows that mimetic theory is a powerful tool that enables pastors to preach the Gospel in a way that is meaningful and refreshing to the modern world. Each Wednesday, Teaching Nonviolent Atonement will highlight his sermons as an example of preaching the Gospel through mimetic theory. In this sermon, Tom explains the story of a man who was born... Read more
Teaching Nonviolent Atonement
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