So I just learned about this ultraconservative movement called Operation Reconquista. I refuse to link to them here and give them any Google love but you can look them up on your own. The theology on their site is shallow, unlettered and so inartfully expressed that I first thought it was satire or perhaps it… Continue reading Reconqui-whatnow?
Category: Living Our Faith
My Personal Chaplet
I always tell people that I am “little-c Catholic.” Of course, we all are, in the sense of belonging to the body of Christ. But I also mean that while I don’t think I could ever convert to Catholicism, I have a deep respect for the history, tradition, magisterium and practices of the Catholic and… Continue reading My Personal Chaplet
Who is a Christian?
What does it mean to be a Christian? What is required? In America, this debate is often framed by conservative fundamentalists who seem overly concerned with who is in and who is out. Do you believe the “right,” things? If not, you’re not a true Christian. Christians like me — those with liberal, progressive and… Continue reading Who is a Christian?
The Book of Amos on Social Justice
Amos 8:4 Hear this, you who trample on the needy, and bring to ruin the poor of the land… Do you have conservative friends and family who are concerned that schools, books, Disney and Taylor Swift are indoctrinating your family into the dark world of social justice? Wait until they hear about the Book of Amos.… Continue reading The Book of Amos on Social Justice
Means of Grace
If Grace is a free gift of God, then why should a Christian worry about participating in the means of grace? When I think of the means of grace, I sometimes think of two metaphors. They are both far from perfect, as all metaphors are imperfect, but they help me to grasp the importance of… Continue reading Means of Grace
He Gets Us: Lost Opportunities
I didn’t intend to address the He Gets Us campaign here. It’s bad enough that every time I log into Reddit, I’m bombarded by He Gets Us promotions. But after their Superbowl commercial, I’ve gotten a few questions from friends about my thoughts on it. I’m a theological marketing guy – more accurately I’m a… Continue reading He Gets Us: Lost Opportunities
Walls and Razor Wire are Never the Answer
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” — 1 Samuel 16:7, NSRV I’m a mystic. That is a… Continue reading Walls and Razor Wire are Never the Answer
Affinity, not Dogma
What is the purpose of your faith community? Why do you go to church? What is the point? Some people attend church because they are seeking the right rules to follow. This is the genius and the paradox of Protestant Christianity in America. There is a new denomination for every unusual belief you might have.… Continue reading Affinity, not Dogma
Things Jesus Never Said
What does it mean to be a Christian? You get baptized, you take communion and you follow Jesus. I’m OK if you don’t want to do the first two as long as you do the “follow Jesus,” one. But following Jesus is really the hard one. It’s so hard that a lot of Christians would… Continue reading Things Jesus Never Said
Graffiti in the Forest
The direction of our faith expressed through the Bible comes to us through very human hands. Imagine walking through a wintery Colorado forest with a friend. Just as the wind rustles through the branches of the pines, dusting you with sparkling bits of snow, you feel God’s presence and hear God’s voice more clearly in… Continue reading Graffiti in the Forest