Why are you working so hard to disprove God? From I Origins movie Trailer A reader named Heidi recently asked that we talk about “the issue of pride” as it relates to “our desires for non-physical things”. It was a great suggestion because pride is a sinful pattern of desire for non-physical things, a pattern we believe that Jesus’ atonement is undoing. The understanding of atonement as undergoing a change in our pattern of desire is the focus of our... Read more
We invite you to join our upcoming live chat with Brian McLaren at 3:00 EDT on July 31st! Brian is a highly influential activist and author of many books, including his latest, We Make the Road by Walking: A Year Long Quest for Spiritual Formation, Reorientation, and Activation. This is a unique opportunity to engage with Brian – he has been an inspiration to many of us seeking to reimagine Christianity for the 21st century. We’ll be asking Brian about... Read more
Since the Hobby Lobby case, I have learned two things about being Christian. First, being Christian means that you are right and that the other side is not only wrong, but a detriment to American freedom. Conservatives are boasting that their victory over liberals is a “welcoming gesture not only toward religious freedom, but also freedom of conscience.” The blog Seasons of Grace asks that we join the author “in a prayer of thanks at this ruling.” Joining in prayer... Read more
Though Burwell vs. Hobby Lobby has been argued and decided by the highest court in the land, the battle rages on. Politicians, columnists, editorial staffs and bloggers are furiously duking it out along clearly drawn battle lines. On one side, we have the Champions of Religious Freedom. Squaring off against them are the Defenders of Women’s Rights. The Champions are celebrating a victory for free expression of religion, the Defenders are sounding alarm bells about losses of protections for civil... Read more
Violence is on the loose in Iraq and Syria this summer. The Islamist extremists known as ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria), seeking to install a Sunni caliphate spanning the border of these two countries, have shown no qualms about using violence against their Shiite enemies. Many in the news media are labeling this as an Islamic Holy War because of observations like this one from Richard Engel, NBC Chief Foreign Correspondent: “Iraq Shiites are getting ready for battle.... Read more
In this video, Adam discusses the importance of Ramadan. Ramadan critiques the popular misunderstanding that the God of Islam is a God of power, might, and conquest. Ramadan claims that the God of Islam is the God who cares about the poor, hungry, and marginalized of culture. Muhammad critiqued the pre-Islamic Arabian view that Fate was in control of life. The Jahaliyya, or Age of Ignorance, believe fate controlled who was rich and powerful and who was poor and marginalized.... Read more
I don’t know where God gets the patience. We are absolutely the most difficult people to communicate with! As the Letter to the Hebrews begins, “Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets.” Many and various ways – thank you, God for trying everything you could think of to get through to us. And then, as Hebrews continues, “in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son”. And not just... Read more
With so much violence in the news, how do you find hope? A recent conversation with peace activist David M. Hazen of Eugene Peace Team motivates Adam and Suzanne to find hope for peace amidst today’s many violent news stories. David offers sage advice for how to read the news in a way that inspires peace. David worked with the Peace Alliance and lobbied for peace to Congress. He enacted “Eugene City of Peace” in 2009. David also helps to lead the... Read more
At five years old, my middle child has developed a defiant pattern. A typical day runs like this: It’s time to get dressed. No. It’s time to put on your shoes. No. It’s time to go to school. No. It’s time to eat dinner. No. It’s time to go to bed. No. His defiance has apparently nestled its way into my subconscious because I dreamt about it last night. We were visiting my childhood house. My son was in our... Read more
What’s the difference between fake goodness and the real thing? Good people want to know. In fact, we need to know because fake goodness is a marketable commodity. Companies know that doing the right thing is important to us, and so they work hard to connect their products with “doing good”. The success of Whole Foods Market (higher priced foods that are natural and organic) and the Tesla Model S (electric car for a hefty price) show how well companies... Read more
Teaching Nonviolent Atonement
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