Apprentice 2 Jesus

Culture

  • The dangers of chants and quick slogans

    The activism and chants of antisemitism and anti-Muslim are dangerous. We need to pay attention. Christians, though, ought to be especially attentive to what’s happening to a society that increasingly seems, on the horseshoe extremes of the populist right and the activist left, to be driven toward the pull of the channeled rage of the… Read more

  • Selling off Christianity for parts

    This interview is a real gift for me. There were times in my life, long before deconstruction was the phrase to use, where similar shifts happened for me theologically. Read more

  • Overcoming the DNA of violence

    He shall judge between many peoples    and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away;they shall beat their swords into plowshares    and their spears into pruning hooks;nation shall not lift up sword against nation;    neither shall they learn war any more; (Micah 4:3, NRSVue) Read more

  • The deep joy of God

    I am working on synthesizing some thoughts from two books: The Spirit of Our Politics by Michael Wear and Jesus and the Powers by NT Wright and Michael Bird. There are three areas I am covering to put together some thoughts on how we are are live as Christians in America. (NOT American Christians. Note… Read more

  • Political and spiritual involvement

    One of the words we toss around without understanding the definition is “secular.” When it comes to being in the public square, it is a misunderstood (and abused) word. In Jesus and the Powers, Wright and Bird draw a clear picture of true secularism, where government is useful to allow religious voices to be heard… Read more

  • A vision of hope

    If there is any word that best describes my feeling in this election year it’s this: Exhaustion Read more

  • Dealing with our current American Church culture

    “Stupidity is a more dangerous enemy of the good than malice. One may protest against evil; it can be exposed and, if need be, prevented by use of force. Evil always carries within itself the germ of its own subversion in that it leaves behind in human beings at least a sense of unease. Against… Read more

  • It is time for a new “Confessing Church”

    “Christianity stands or falls with its revolutionary protest against violence, arbitrariness, and pride of power and with its defense for the weak… Christianity has adjusted itself much too easily to the worship of power. It should give much more offense, more shock to the world than it is doing. Christianity should take a much more… Read more

  • Wise words from a seasoned pastor

    As our country seems to be spiraling down into madness — I earnestly hope we’ll yet see a wonderful turn-around — but if the madness prevails, two things. One, I hope, by God’s grace, to retain my integrity. And I hope my dissent is publicly obvious. I want to stand as a calm, cheerful, wise,… Read more

  • We just can’t leave … ANYTHING … alone

    The Super Bowl was played last week and, of course, the big conversation revolved around the ads. It’s always been a big thing. Still my favorite from “way back in the day” is a Pepsi commercial where you see the landscape of the desert and hear music that is somewhat soothing, but also some irritating… Read more