Judaism, Atonement, and God’s Nonviolence – The RavenCast

Last updated on: March 27, 2017 at 9:11 pm By Adam Ericksen

What does Jewish spirituality have to teach us about navigating the current American political crisis? In the latest episode of the RavenCast, I sat down with Vanessa Avery, a Hebrew Bible Scholar and Diversity and Organizational Consultant. Vanessa holds degrees from the University of Exeter, Yale Divinity School, King’s College London and McGill University. She uses mimetic theory to interpret the Bible and to help businesses inspire generosity, empathy, creativity, hospitality, strength and courage. Vanessa is the author of many... Read more

The Budget of Death: This Is What the Cost of War Looks Like

Last updated on: March 24, 2017 at 10:47 am By Lindsey Paris-Lopez

It has been over a week since the Trump administration unveiled the Budget of Death. While various reports have catalogued the 19 agencies that would be terminated and the 61 programs that would lose their funding and commentators have denounced the heartlessness of a budget that cuts everything from peace studies to public broadcasting, I have been struggling to find something new to say to put this fiscal fiasco into perspective, without descending into rage or becoming overwhelmed with despair.... Read more

Islam, Friendship, and Truth: Esmail Koushanpour

Last updated on: March 21, 2017 at 1:11 pm By Adam Ericksen

Suspicion of Islam is in the air throughout the United States. That suspicion was already there, but President Trump has added fuel to the fire with statements like, “I think Islam hates us. There’s something there. It’s tremendous hatred.” According to the president, it’s not just certain Muslims, but all of Islam hates the United States. When it comes to hatred, Donald Trump and his close administrative allies would have you believe that your Muslim neighbor is no different than... Read more

Bad Analogies, Good Relationship: Thoughts On The Trinity On St. Patrick’s Day

Last updated on: March 17, 2017 at 5:35 pm By Lindsey Paris-Lopez

I can’t observe St. Patrick’s Day without watching this modern classic from Lutheran Satire: Hilarious, isn’t it? I think so. But there was a time when I wouldn’t have been so amused. The Trinity has caused me much anxiety throughout my lifetime. Or perhaps I should say, not the Trinity itself, but the desire to understand it, the need I felt to grasp it intellectually in order to be able to trust in my faith. I wanted assurance for my... Read more

Saint Patrick, Druids, and the Snakes: The Truth is in the Middle

Last updated on: March 16, 2018 at 3:50 pm By Adam Ericksen

I love St. Patrick’s Day. The one day of the year when, for better or worse, Western culture allows me to claim my non-existent inner Irishman. Kiss me, baby. Okay. I’m done. The Legend of St. Patrick There are many stories and legends about the fascinating life of St. Patrick. One of the most famous legends recounts how this great 5th century saint banished all of the snakes from Ireland. Bad snakes. Bad. My work at the Raven Foundation during... Read more

Wednesday Sermon: The Grace of Letting Go and Starting Again

Last updated on: March 15, 2017 at 4:06 pm By Tom Truby

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 the story of Jesus’ encounter with a great... Read more

Leaving Westboro Baptist: How Megan Phelps-Roper Moved Beyond “Us Against Them”

Last updated on: March 14, 2017 at 11:11 am By Adam Ericksen

I was a blue eyed, chubby cheeked five-year-old when I joined my family on the picket line for the first time … I’d stand on a street corner, in the heavy Kansas humidity, surrounded by a few relatives, with my tiny fists clutching a sign that I couldn’t read yet – “Gays Are Worthy of Death.” This was the beginning. -Megan Phelps-Roper We live in a polarized culture. Many of us are looking for ways to heal the divisions that... Read more

Thank You, Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Last updated on: March 13, 2017 at 5:49 pm By Lindsey Paris-Lopez

Dear Amy, Before princesses and fairies, my first-born daughter had very particular favorite toys: a playdoh utensil set. The playdoh itself was fun, but she really loved the purple fork and spoon, blue knife, and yellow plate. She didn’t pretend to eat with them but insisted on carrying them everywhere like a security blanket. She cried profusely when she thought she had lost them and rejoiced when they were reunited. I didn’t think I would ever find a book to... Read more

Wednesday Sermon: Fighting Through the Lies and Claiming the Truth

Last updated on: March 8, 2017 at 1:53 pm By Tom Truby

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 for the first Sunday of Lent, Tom explores the... Read more

Trump, Satan, and the Resistance

Last updated on: March 8, 2017 at 12:32 pm By Adam Ericksen

Christians throughout the world recently celebrated the first Sunday of Lent. We told the story of Satan tempting Jesus in the wilderness. Satan tempted Jesus with food, glory, and political power. Jesus resisted Satan’s temptations, but we often succumb. Satan is usually known as the “Tempter.” But in Hebrew, the word literally means “Accuser.” Satan is best understood not as a fallen angel in a red suit with a pitch fork and horns. Christian tradition claims that evil doesn’t have... Read more