At Tuesday’s Presidential Debate, candidate Mike Huckabee had this to say about the Syrian refugee crisis: If it’s such a doggone good idea to bring people here that we really don’t know who they are, and Obama thinks that we are being unchristian to not do it, I’ve got a suggestion – let’s send the first wave of them to Chappaqua, Martha’s Vineyard, and the upper eastside of Manhattan, and to the south lawn of the White House where we’ll... 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 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 continues his Advent reflections by explaining a troubling and... Read more
In this episode of the RavenCast, I discuss Advent as political protest. Advent means “coming” and during the Advent season Christians await the coming of Jesus at Christmas. But Advent was originally a festival of the Roman Empire that celebrated the coming of Caesar Augustus as the divine savior of the world, who brought peace through violent conquest. When Christians use the term Advent, we subvert the violent ways of Caesar Augustus by proclaiming that Jesus, and his way of nonviolent... Read more
Editor’s Note: This Advent meditation is based on the Gospel text for the second week of Advent, Luke 3:1-6. Although I applied the text specifically to seeing Muslims through Advent eyes, as Muslims are targets of foreign policy violence and aggression by politicians, media, and even Christian leaders, the Gospel message of seeing God in victims and enemies could apply to any person or group used by another as a scapegoat. “Prepare ye the way of the Lord!” I hear... Read more
Nothing. That’s right. Do nothing. Stop talking about him. Ignore Trump. I know what many of my fellow progressives are likely thinking, “But Adam, we have to do something about Trump! We have to stand up for justice and against his vile speech that is fomenting hatred against Muslims throughout the United States!” I know. I get it. But there’s a huge problem in our strategy to be against Donald Trump. Every time we stand up against Trump he uses... 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 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 continues his Advent reflections. As the Gospel light of... Read more
What is true Islam? In the face of acts of terrorism by ISIS and Donald Trump’s politics of fear channeled against Muslims, this is one of the most important questions of our time. I discussed it with Sheima Salam Sumer. Sheima is a devoted Muslim who earned her Master’s Degree in Counselor Education form the University of South Carolina in 2007 and has worked as a professional counselor in many states, including schools, homes, and offices. She offers free counseling... Read more
I meant last week to start a series of Advent meditations, but found myself swamped with all kinds of holiday-related commitments. I know, I know… there is a lesson to be found in this… to take the time to slow down and meditate and reflect in the midst of the frenzy of the season. Well, I’m doing it now… catching up first on the Gospel from last week, Luke 21: 25-36. My meditations may take the form of poetry or... Read more
Another mass shooting on U.S. soil and we’re all looking for answers. Actually, there were two mass shootings on Wednesday. One in San Bernardino, California, and the other in Savannah, Georgia. We also know that “there have been 355 mass shooting in 336 days.” We are averaging more than one mass shooting a day. America clearly has a problem. In response, politicians are quick to spread a popular myth about mass shootings: that mental illness is to blame. I’m all... Read more
On Tuesday, Mayor Rahm Emanuel fired Chicago’s police superintendent, Gary McCarthy. Somebody had to pay the price for the disastrous handling of the brutal murder of Laquan McDonald by a Chicago Police Officer. “I have a lot of support and confidence in the work and results he has done,” Emanuel said just before firing McCarthy. “But our goal is to build the trust and confidence with the public … At this point – in this juncture of the city –... Read more
Teaching Nonviolent Atonement
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