Issues of Christian faith.
Where are you from? The answer depends on your perspective. The Biblical perspective is that “The Earth is the Lord’s” and we are aliens and tenants. Because we are not the ultimate owners, God requires the native-born residents to “Love the alien as yourselves.” Ultimately, we are citizens of the Kingdom of God.
Where are you from? Read More »
Death is real. So is resurrection. We can experience resurrection even before physical death.
Encountering Jesus on the Way Read More »
When the Powers Take Over The Experience of the Church Colossians 2:6–19 In a previous article, I examined how supposedly Godly people become enmeshed in behavior that is obviously evil. I illustrated this through the story of the Golden Calf in Exodus 32, as well as the contemporary story of a Mennonite farmer turned drug
When the Powers Take Over – NT Read More »
When the Powers Take Over Israel’s Experience Exodus 32:1-14 The dateline on an article in the Los Angeles Times reads “February 1, 2024, Las Flores, Mexico.” It starts out like this: Franz Kauenhofen was once a pious member of his Mennonite community in this tropical stretch of southern Mexico. He read the Bible, tended to
When the Powers Take Over – OT Read More »
Inclusion of people with disabilities. I have been reflecting on how my own journey with people with disabilities coincides with the movement to include persons with disabilities at the center of Christian congregations. My journey began when I realized I was a father of a child with developmental and intellectual disabilities. It continued as a
A Movement Toward Inclusion Read More »
Jesus’s compassion goes beyond a vague universal love for humanity to the persons right in front of him on the way of the cross.
The Compassion of Jesus on the Way of the Cross Read More »
All the Kings’ Horses Deuteronomy 17:14–20; 1 Samuel 8 In the late 1700’s, Scottish inventor, James Watt, was trying to market his newly invented steam engine. A prospective customer challenged him to prove that his steam engine could provide more power for his mill than the customer’s best workhorse. So, Watt started calculating how many
All the Kings’ Horses Read More »
Jeremiah 33:14–16; Luke 21:25–28 It was Thanksgiving weekend of 2021, also known as the beginning of the “Christmas season.” The excitement was building in a Milwaukee suburb as people lined the streets for the annual Christmas parade. It was especially anticipated because the year before, the Covid-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of the parade.
Look! The Days Are Coming! Read More »
For this reason my joy has been fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:29d-30) On a mid-December weekend, I traveled from north central to southeast Pennsylvania for a special recognition of a friend and former pastoral colleague. In 1990, he and I and one other person were the founding pastors of a unique
The Gospel of Luke portrays Jesus coming to earth as well as entering Jerusalem as a king in glory and peace. Yet, Jesus’s actions indicate an understanding of glory and peace that are different than the world’s understanding.
