Wednesday Sermon: In Advent We Await Full Humanity

Last updated on: December 2, 2015 at 7:08 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 discusses how to be truly human. God in Christ... Read more

The RavenCast – Episode 7 with Dr. Jason Okrzynski on the Saints and Friendship with God

Last updated on: December 1, 2015 at 2:39 pm By Adam Ericksen

Dr. Jason Okrzynsi, M.Div., PhD, recently joined the RavenCast to discuss why Protestants should reclaim the saints as models of faith by helping us find friendship with God. Jason is the Director of Christian Education for Children, Youth and Families at the First Congregational Church of Wilmette, in Wilmette, Illinois. Jason earned his Master of Divinity at Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota and his PhD in Christian Education and Congregational Studies at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary. He recently delivered... Read more

Interfaith Friendship Will Save the World

Last updated on: November 30, 2015 at 4:26 pm By Lindsey Paris-Lopez

My Friend Sheima The first face of Islam I ever encountered belonged to a smiling 11-year-old girl who kindly gestured for me to sit next to her on the bus that would take us both to our first day of middle school. I was shy and introverted, but I had been nervously excited to begin a new chapter of my life with all the thrills middle school had to offer – changing classrooms, having my own locker, no longer being... Read more

Top 7 Ways to Thrive During Thanksgiving Family Conflict

Last updated on: November 26, 2015 at 11:03 am By Adam Ericksen

Happy Thanksgiving! It’s a time to give thanks for all of the wonderful things in our lives. Or, is it just another stressful time of forced family fun? If you are like me, it’s a little bit of both. I’m thankful for my family, but from personal experience I also know that family is one of the leading causes of stress during the holiday season. Family can be full of love, but it can also be a breeding ground for hostility.... Read more

Wednesday Sermon: So It Is To Be – Violence or Nonviolence?

Last updated on: November 25, 2015 at 3:56 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 contrasts the violence of Pilate and the crowd with... Read more

The RavenCast: Episode 5 with Paul Nuechterlein: Thankful for Rene Girard and Creating a Better Future

Last updated on: November 24, 2015 at 3:39 pm By Adam Ericksen

MP3 Video Show Notes Paul Nuechterlein is the Contributing Theologian for Theology and Peace, he is the creator of the immensely helpful website “Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary,” and Paul has just started a new project called “Discipleship Seminars in Mimetic Theory.” In this episode, Paul gives thanks for the life of René Girard. Paul credits Girard for changing everything about the way he thinks about life, relationships, faith, and the Bible. Paul explores the mimetic principle of human inter-dividuality... Read more

An Open Letter To Mr. Trump

Last updated on: November 20, 2015 at 6:55 pm By Guest Contributor

Editor’s Note: This is a guest piece by Matthew Distefano. He writes this letter primarily to presidential candidate, Donald Trump, but it is also for all Christians and Muslims who live in the United States and abroad. In light of some of the more recent and frankly disturbing comments that Mr. Trump has made regarding his stance on Muslims, as well as earlier comments in general, and given the fact that he claims to be a Christian, Matthew feels that... Read more

The Anti-Christ Immigration Response of US Governors and the Kingdom of God

Last updated on: November 20, 2015 at 6:52 pm By Adam Ericksen

Christians are called to be a light to the nations. The world can’t wait any longer for us to live into that mission. And make no mistake about it – that mission is political. After all, Jesus preached the Kingdom of God. Kingdom. Of. God. This is not simply a personal ethic. I often hear evangelicals and conservatives say, “God wants everything from us” and “God demands our all.” But somehow many also claim that “everything” and “all” doesn’t include... Read more

Wednesday Sermon: We Must All Speak for the Scapegoats Now

Last updated on: November 18, 2015 at 4:12 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 explores the human tendency to scapegoat in light of... Read more

The RavenCast: The Politics of Violence and the Politics of Jesus

Last updated on: November 17, 2015 at 3:21 pm By Adam Ericksen

The Discussion MP3: Show Notes* How should we respond to terrorist attacks in Paris? Nearly 90% of people killed in American drone attacks were not targeted. American violence is terrorizing the Middle East, labeling all “unknown people it kills as ‘Enemies Killed in Action,’” but they are often civilians. (The Intercept: The Drone Papers: The Assassination Complex.) Last Thursday, the United States killed “Jihadi John” in a drone strike, killing the man responsible for beheading Western journalists. (In the discussion,... Read more