Tragically, there are way too many Christians who go to church every Sunday, maybe even Sunday evening, with a Bible study mid week. They tithe and do “good works” for the Lord. They appear to be happy and totally sold out to God. But, if you could see inside that outer shell, you’d find many lonely people who don’t even know if God exists. They have no relationship with Jesus or God, beyond the words they speak. And you can even put Mother Teresa in that category! Continue reading ‘They Love Me- They Love You!’
Monthly Archive for August, 2007
Christianity particularly, but all religions to some degree, feel threatened by those of another ilk, color, creed, nationality, or religion. Why are we so afraid of the differences? Differences that were created by God, by the way. My spiritual advice is get to know all those Samaritans along the road of life and do all that you can to help them. It will prove that you’re not religious, but loving and caring. The diversities are not only going to increase, but exponentially so. Since the Immigration Act of 1965, America has become the true melting pot of the world. Continue reading ‘Appreciate The Diversities’
What Jesus did 2,000 years ago got him crucified. I can’t imagine what would happen to Him today. Could it be worse? I don’t know how, but what I do know, is that when one is trying to talk others into the REAL message of Jesus, all hell will break loose. This is 2007 and we are living in America. Let the good tiems roll, and don’t tell someone what they can’t do, or can’t have. We are ENTITLED you know. Tell people how Jesus wants them to prosper, and they’ll fill the pews. But, try and convince them of the heart of the Gospel, and you’ll be heard only once- and then partially. Continue reading ‘Attempting The Impossible’
August 24, 2007 - We can’t be estranged from God throughout the day and then suddenly wonder why nothing is working out in our lives. “Why isn’t God answering my prayers? Why isn’t God doing this or that?” There’s One God-Spirit who has ALL your answers and needs met, but you have to TUNE IN to Him: communicate and have a relationship, lest you keep on wondering why God’s not hearing your prayers.
You have to wonder, or at least I do, why John felt that he had to write God is love (I John 4:16). It’s probably because by the time the first epistle of John was written rumors were already going around at how mad God was about what we did to Jesus and He had created this place called HELL to send everyone that in on the crucifixion of Jesus. Didn’t Jesus make the point clear about the love of the Father? I guess not. Continue reading ‘More Love Stuff!’
God is love. We say that a lot like we Christians say many things by rote and not by heart! And then we turn around and say that if you’re not good, God will send you to hell- forever! The average non-religious person on the street has a difficulty with that. Can you imagine? In fact, most people who call themselves Christians believe that as well. But, let me take you past the elementary aspects of the “God is love” concept and dig a bit deeper into something that just might give you a lot more love for God than you now have. And that would be a good thing, right! Continue reading ‘It’s Just A Love Thing!’
Say what? Christianity in the West has created a third God that it’s adherents think trumps the first two. This isn’t all that hard, and while reading you’ll learn a few new words- maybe. All true and genuine Christianity has to have at it’s core an evaluation of the total being and personality that we call Jesus, The Christ. The technical term being CHRISTOLOGY. We can break Christology down into two main grouping. There is the Synoptic version of Jesus, the man of history. Then there is the Johannine version, the divine man of faith. Got it? That’s why I put a comma after Jesus, the Christ! His first and last name was not, is not, Jesus Christ. Now, let’s get on with my point of today’s commentary. Continue reading ‘Soteriology- The New God?’
If you didn’t come from the August 23rd post at LRC Houston entitled Christology Trumps Soteriology (salvation), then you might want to go back and read that as this commentary is basically a follow up from that thread. Let me get two points out of the way. First, we are ALL sinners- all of mankind. It’s just in the water we drink, the food we eat, and the air we breathe. Meaning, I don’t think it’s in the blood. Second, the life and acts of Jesus, the Christ was an effectual demonstration of salvation for ALL men. But, unlike most in the fundamentalist camp, and others, the incarnation for me is so much more than a salvistic golden parachute. Continue reading ‘# 39- Salvation Isn’t The End Game!’
Can we agree that God is omni-present? While as a Christian, I see God most perfectly manifested in Jesus, the Christ. Jesus is the pattern, but I don’t see Jesus as the exclusive agent used by God. I take the position of Emil Brunner (1889 -1966- an eminent and highly influential Swiss theologian) who said, “If there be no knowledge of God apart from that given in the historic Jesus, how is it that we know deity when found in Him”. Ponder that one for a few moments. Continue reading ‘The Unincarnate God Is Everywhere!’
# 1- Divine Intention Of God
I am currently planning on this being a five-part series on the big picture of God. This will be therapy for me and I hope of benefit to you. If I can clear away some of the religious brush and cobwebs that have built up over the years, who knows what we might discover and encounter. Maybe even the reality of God. I just can’t simply buy that the state of the church today is all that God’s offering. And in that I’m going to kick off this introduction to a concept called “process theology“. After all, life is a JOURNEY! Continue reading ‘# 1- Divine Intention Of God’