Ethics
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Reflecting on society, laws, cultural wars… and having a lot of time to think while I was driving across Iowa… I began to think on what I practice but do not articulate very well. I am not sure I can still articulate it well, but this is my attempt. No matter what laws are passed… Read more
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When I first moved to the Twin Cities and began ministry, I plunged into as many community activities as possible. I served on neighborhood boards, school committees, park committees, etc., looking for what was going on in my part of the city. What was God doing and how could I join him? The shotgun approach… Read more
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I want to return to my theme of a pro-life ethic. By this I don’t an ethic only anchored in abortion or right to life. It’s an ethic I want to build for ALL of life. But I return to it because of the horrifying case of Kermit Gosnell. He was convicted of killing three… Read more
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This story really caught my attention for several reasons. 1. It’s in Iowa. I thought this might be something from New York or California or Florida. But this case happened in Iowa. 2. The court’s decision was 7-0. No dissenting votes. The boss could actually fire his employee because she was too attractive. But beyond… Read more
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One of our Advent readings today is Eph. 6:10-20. It’s one we, as Pentecostals, love. Spiritual warfare. Here is the ironic thing I find in this passage and our current attitude in the wake of the Connecticut school shooting. On the one hand I’m fairly sure I could get almost 100 percent agreement from my… Read more
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The pro-life ethic is possible. It is not something laid out by Jesus and just left in the text of Matthew’s gospel. Peter picks it up (as do the other New Testament writers) and calls on the reader to understand the need for change. We do NOT have to live in the grip of this… Read more
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Over the past few months I have worked at what I am calling a true “pro-life” ethic. This is an ethic I believe can be sustained as a Christian. It is also an ethic that I believe cannot be labeled “liberal” or “conservative,” “Democrat” or “Republican.” In the wake of the school shootings in Connecticut,… Read more
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Jesus was serious about the Kingdom bringing a righteousness back into play that would exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees. The goal of a true pro-life ethic in the Kingdom of God should be to move away from the emphasis on the regulations of the Law and return to the character of the Law. The Kingdom ethic demands more of us.… Read more
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As I am working my way through the Sermon on the Mount in studying a true pro-life ethic, I was caught by Craig Keener’s words in his work on the background of the New Testament. This particular quote on Matthew 5:13-16 is incredible: A disciple of the kingdom who does not live like a disciple… Read more
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I began some thoughts on what it means to have a “pro-life” ethic (HERE), and on that same day the United Nations voted to allow provisional recognition of Palestine as a “state.” This came over the loud objections of the United States and Israel. This is a perfect areas to try and hash out a… Read more
Apprentice 2 Jesus 