I recently used the term “theological malarkey” in response to a question related to Trinitarian theology. That has inspired me to call out a few other forms of theological malarkey in American religion today.
Why all congregational ministry should be trauma ministry
Persons who have experienced trauma are among those gathered for worship every Sunday. Congregations have a unique opportunity to serve these persons through trauma-informed care. That not only includes helping persons heal from trauma but also knowing how to keep from contributing to trauma, however unintentionally.
Reading Apocalypse in an Age of Revelation: the uncovering of white Christian nationalism
Despite their disturbing, even demonic, histories, both white supremacy and nationalism are back. Now they are fused with Christian zeal, a mixture that has only ever been – and will only ever be – toxic.
Moral witness, righteous indignation and partisan outrage
We need a moral and ethical witness based not on our social media feeds or biases but on an embedded, incarnational, long-term presence with those for whom we claim to have concern.
Why claims of many ‘evangelical Christians’ to be followers of Jesus ring hollow
Following Jesus is incompatible with being a bully. Following Jesus involves using power to do justice, love mercy and live humbly in oneness with God and others. All Christians should condemn and denounce white supremacy and religious nationalism in the name of Jesus, not validate them.
Systemic sin, the fracturing of God’s creation, is encoded in our connected technologies
The way we have built our digital world has encoded this fracturing principle (sin) within the emerging technological system itself. Our connected technologies threaten our primal, sacred bonds. We are hyper-connected and still so lonely.
Seeing a new thing: the prophet must prophesy for the institution
I am weary of “prophetic” preachments about justice that are divorced from the creation of justice, which requires both the remaking of existing institutions and the birth of new ones.
The Cosmic Christ and a truly inclusive Gospel welcome all. Do we?
We have taken a cosmic Gospel that redeems everything and replaced it with a puny, individualistic, if-you-were-to-die-today, only-the-soul-matters gnostic heresy. It’s not the real Gospel, of course, but sadly it has found a hospitable environment in many churches.
Is all sex, except sex within a traditional marriage, exempt from the blessing of God?
While upholding the goodness of marriage, maybe it’s time the Church dismissed the legalism of “marriage only” in favor of true, loving relationships that are consummated, not in following the letter of the law, but with the spirit of living principles – commitment, communication, trust, respect and a deep and true spirituality.
Letters to the Editor for 07.11.19
Freedom of the press is precious, yet it is illusory by Toby Druin, Waxahachie, Texas
Letter to the Editor – Freedom of the press is precious, yet it is illusory
Freedom of the press is precious, yet it is illusory by Toby Druin, Waxahachie, Texas
Entitled Millennials aren’t killing the American Church; entitled churches are
When there are four year olds in jail at the border and the Arctic Circle hits 80 degrees, it’s time to find out why exactly the world needs the unending existence of our aging fellowship hall and sparsely-populated sanctuary. If we don’t know the answer, I’m not so sure Millennial church members are going to pull us out of that tailspin.