How Beyoncé Slayed the Super Bowl and Fox News

Last updated on: February 11, 2016 at 9:30 am By Adam Ericksen

…we are more than conquerors … -St. Paul, Romans 8:37 Beyoncé slays. And she is more than a conqueror. But before I tell you how Beyoncé slayed the Super Bowl and Fox News, I’m going to tell you about the ancient sacrificial rituals and their victims. (Trust me, this fits.) Sacrificial Rituals in the Ancient World In the ancient world, whenever there was social chaos, social order was created through a ritual of sacrificial violence. These sacrificial rituals channeled conflicts that... Read more

Wednesday Sermon: Overwhelmed by God’s Greatness

Last updated on: February 10, 2016 at 9:44 am 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 Transfiguration of Jesus and provides a fresh... Read more

Thank You, Dr. Hawkins

Last updated on: February 9, 2016 at 3:24 pm By Lindsey Paris-Lopez

Dear Dr. Hawkins, As you prepare to leave Wheaton College, I want to extend to you my heartfelt gratitude for your wisdom, compassion, and embodiment of Christ. Your solidarity with the vulnerable and marginalized has left you vulnerable and pushed you beyond the margins of your institution. Yet your gracious courage and unwavering love reach beyond barriers, building bridges of understanding between God’s children, siblings struggling in rivalry. For claiming that Christians and Muslims worship the same God, a position... Read more

Valentine’s Day Tip for Parents: Become Your Toddler’s Secret Admirer

Last updated on: February 9, 2016 at 3:34 pm By Suzanne Ross

This video is my way of saying Happy Valentine’s Day to the parents and grandparents of young children. You know, at Teaching Nonviolent Atonement, and our sibling website, the Raven Foundation, we often talk about how we can lose touch with our best selves when we get caught up in rivalry. And parents know that the worst form rivalry can take is the dreaded power struggle with our children. How is it that we can become so adversarial with the... Read more

Cam Newton, the Super Bowl, and Racist Stereotypes Against a Black Quarterback

Last updated on: February 9, 2016 at 3:33 pm By Adam Ericksen

The NFL has made the Super Bowl into a week-long event, starting with “opening night” on Monday where the media are invited to ask questions to players. The event is largely playful as it “has become less about football and more about the eccentric in recent years, with costumes, props and bizarre questions filling the mass media availability session.” But one question in particular dealt with race. This year’s Super Bowl pits one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time,... Read more

Wednesday Sermon: Love Found a Way

Last updated on: February 3, 2016 at 2:00 pm By Tom Truby

Pastors have a frequent question when they begin to discover mimetic theory. “That’s great. But how does it preach?” Reverends Tom and Laura Truby show 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 their sermons as an example of preaching the Gospel through mimetic theory. In this sermon, they explore Jesus’ first sermon. The people love... Read more

Iowa, Ted Cruz, and the Evangelical Identity Crisis

Last updated on: February 3, 2016 at 5:47 pm By Adam Ericksen

Ted Cruz ended last night with a yuuuuge victory over Donald Trump in Iowa. (Sorry, had to do it!) Religion played a big role in Cruz’s victory. The New York Times reports that Cruz’s victory was “powered by a surge of support from evangelical Christians.” For his part, Cruz reaffirmed his connection with his evangelical supporters by invoking divine favor upon his victory. “God bless the great state of Iowa! Let me first say, to God be the glory.” But... Read more

Hillary Clinton’s Emails, Donald Trump, and Moving through Scandal

Last updated on: January 29, 2016 at 11:56 am By Adam Ericksen

Former House Majority Leader Tom Delay claims that the Justice Department is preparing to file charges against Hillary Clinton for mishandling of classified information in her emails. Delay said in an interview, “I have friends who are in the FBI and they tell me they’re ready to indict.” I don’t know the veracity of Delay’s statement. Nothing would surprise me during this political season. His statement could be a complete fabrication made to cause more drama in a presidential election... Read more

How a Children’s Movie Solves the Immigration Crisis – Interview with Director Paul King

Last updated on: January 28, 2016 at 6:14 pm By Adam Ericksen

Churches are often looking for ways to discuss the immigration crisis. The movie Paddington provides an important tool for that discussion. Paul King, writer and director of Paddington, won the Raven Foundation’s 2015 Arts and Entertainment Award. Below you can watch Suzanne Ross’s interview with Paul. The movie has profound lessons about Christian themes, specifically about hospitality. It chronicles the adventures of a Peruvian bear with a fondness for all things British and is based on Michael Bond’s universally beloved... Read more

Wednesday Sermon: With Every Eye Fixed on Him

Last updated on: January 27, 2016 at 1:14 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 show 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 Tom’s sermons as an example of preaching the Gospel through mimetic theory. In this sermon, Tom reflects upon the mimetic pull of the crowd that... Read more