In post-Constantinian Christianity emphasis on living out the values of Jesus and walking in the way of Jesus were replaced with an emphasis on holding to right beliefs about Jesus. The contrasting emphasis was so stark it was like two different religions.
James Cone and becoming black with God
In his lovely, gentle way, he was professionally pissed off, never fully comprehending how anyone could ever imagine a God who was not an advocate for the oppressed.
Paul Ryan and the House chaplain: Proof that prayer works?
The scientific study of prayer focuses on the things for which people most often pray — health concerns, financial difficulties, or societal problems — but the prayers we do not pray are the best evidence that prayer works.
Waffle House, Starbucks — and the Church?: Iconic and vulnerable
In the deadly flash of that AR15, Kenny Peavy’s iconic “welcoming sanctuary,” joined the interminable company of schools, churches, schools, concerts, schools, and other once-but-no-longer-safe-places in the United States.
Powerful words: A blessing or a curse?
Positive words are like a tree of life, a honeycomb, salt, or apples of gold that bring healing, edification, benefits, grace, and life. Negative words are like harmful swords or fires that destroy life and bring death.
Palabras poderosas: ¿bendición o maldición?
Las palabras positivas son como un árbol de vida, un panal de miel, sal, o manzanas de oro que traen sanidad, edificación, beneficio, gracia y vida. Las palabras negativas son como espadas dañinas o fuegos que destruyen la vida y provocan la muerte.
The new soft charismatic cooperation
The luxury of writing off large swaths of Christian churches or denominations based on minor doctrinal disagreements disappeared once we entered post-Christendom full on. Now, as a minority voice in culture, we are looking for friends wherever we can find them.
No prophets in today’s society? Maybe we’re just not listening.
If our culture is devoid of moral depth and lacking in spiritual integrity, how could such a culture recognize a prophet to begin with? “Prophets are not without honor, except in their country,” or so said Jesus not long before they killed him.
‘Give Me Jesus.’ (But which one?)
“Give me Jesus” is a simple but never simplistic confession of faith. It complicates quickly, forcing us to ask, “Which Jesus?” given the many explanations, impressions and orthodoxies for who Jesus was and is, a challenge existing from the Church’s beginnings.
The life-changing magic of practicing redemption
What if we sought to take an exhaustive accounting of everything we do as a faith community: from worship to potlucks to Sunday school socials, and asked, not “Does this bring ME joy?,” but something a bit more meaningful, even Christian.
Easter jujutsu: A supple, flexible and pliable way to respond
Instead of flailing and screaming against the powers of darkness, we could allow God to transform them into opportunities to trust and grow. When our enemy’s face comes to mind, we could pray for her by name and ask God to bless her. When some controversy hovers over our church family, we could ask what new thing the Spirit is teaching us.
Martin Luther King Jr. called me to preach
I wept because I knew where this kind of religion led Jesus and where it led Clarence Jordan, and where it led Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and where, in the fullness of time, it might lead me.