In the first day of the class on Islam, I brought up the idea that Christianity is nonviolent. I was challenged with the story of Jesus cleansing the temple. Once again, this story was lofted to legendary heights, unknown even to the gospel writers, depicting a wrathful Jesus embodying the righteous violence that we disciples [...]
I know this question will continue to rear it’s head throughout the 12 remaining weeks of the class on Islam I am leading. Many scholars and theologians have tackled the question, debating with Muslims either in print or in public. Many responses have been made and are freely accessible to anyone willing to search them [...]
"Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab wouldn't have to go to an al Qaeda camp in Yemen to learn how to hate. He had examples closer to home. Christians and Muslims have been killing each other in Nigeria for much of his lifetime."
A sneak preview of a poster I've been working on.
Pushing for the support of Christian Peacemaker Teams.
Ben Witherington, yet again, grabbed my attention. He wrote a review (a response of sorts) of President Obama's Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech.
I've begun a reading of Craig Hovey's "To Share in the Body: a Theology of Martyrdom for Today's Church." Today, I'm merely posting some excellent quotes from the first third of the book. When I finish, I will do a more complete review. Check these few passages out.
I was reading an article recently on the Sojourners blog, God’s Politics, on the soldier court martialed for being a conscientious objector. In the article (and you should read the back story of this brother in Christ who needs our support and prayer), the author, Logan Laituri, brought into the discussion Luke iii.14 and what [...]
I am creating a series of posts discussing why congregations must not, at any time, choose armed security. To do so would be to lay down the cross of Christ and take up the sword of man. And you cannot carry both.
I hear that mindset a lot lately. We’ve seen the mentality all too brutally clear over the last six or so years. And it is absolute nonsense if you are a disciple of Jesus. Because of former Vice President Dick Cheney’s recent and continuous media parade defending the Bush administration’s enhanced interrogation methods, cable news shows [...]
