When I say the word “justice” I found in the past that move evangelicals hearing it would by default put the word “social” in front of it. Justice does indeed have a social aspect.
Continue reading “Challenging listening by amazing Christian leaders”Tag: Justice
The sound of grief
There is a podcast I listen to on a fairly regular basis called “Pass the Mic.” It’s two younger black Christians, one working on his PhD in history and the other a pastor of a church, who reflect on theology and the issues around Black Christians in American society.
Continue reading “The sound of grief”How race became a religion
I am a fan of the Holy Post podcast. Phil Vischer (Veggie Tales) has a great conversation with Skye Jethani and Christian Taylor in this episode. The first half is worth the listen (especially Christian talking about her documentary on France in WWII), but it’s the second half of the episode that is worth the listen… and, of course, challenging. Willie James Jennings is the guest and takes on racism as a religion.
I’d highly recommend his book The Christian Imagination: Theology and the Origins of Race.
A key word associated with justice is: GO
9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13 Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”
14 “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
15 The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” (Acts 10:9-15)
Continue reading “A key word associated with justice is: GO”Perspective in divisive times
Psalm 73
There are times throughout my life where I’ve felt rage against “the system” or “evil empires” or just plain city hall. The injustices bother me, even to this day.
About the time I have this internal boiling point hit maximum level, Psalm 73 comes across my path. It is a constant reminder of God’s rule and reign and my need to trust him.
Continue reading “Perspective in divisive times”The downside of evangelical American Christianity
My reading has me in Micah for a few days and as I read it I get this picture of Israel that the prophets portray over and over. Israel is “weary” of serving God. They have some sense of obligation, but they are in love with the gods of the age and want to pursue other lovers. Yet, they know Yahweh is there and they need to “appease” him. The question becomes: “Okay, God, what do you want? What’s it going to cost me this time?”
Continue reading “The downside of evangelical American Christianity”Busyness blinds us
“Our busyness can blind us to other people or at least make us feel less guilty for turning the other way and walking past someone who needs help. When we create margin, we give ourselves the opportunity to notice and truly see people. The way we spend the margin we have affects the people being pushed to the margins themselves.” — Terence Lester, I See You
Sometimes, we want to be blind.
