Jesus said follow me! I would assume that those who were trying to live their life like Jesus, who became the Christ, would be those we’d call Christians. Jesus had never heard the word Catholic, not was He one. Jesus had never heard the word Protestant, now was He one. However, those who call themselves either Catholics or Protestants are sure they’re Christians and they’re quick with reasons why others are not Christians. So, who’s a Christian anyway? Continue reading ‘Who’s A Christian?’
Monthly Archive for April, 2008
I am going to try my best to not come off as overly critical in this commentary. Sometimes I fail. Sometimes hyperbole is the best approach to getting a point made. Sometimes it’s just flesh. I came into the religious community as a moderate liberal (religiously speaking). The emphasis of my denomination was on the “priesthood of the believer”. We were concerned about matters such as how to help the poor and how to keep ourselves out of hell. And then I moved South! There I was taught to not think as the mind would lead one astray. Don’t think? Continue reading ‘Don’t Think?’
Bernard Haisch wrote one of the more insightful (even scientifically) books last year, entitled The God Theory. Ah, but there’s not just one theory, there are many, many theories. We have theories about theories. And unfortunately that’s where too much thinking about God winds upon- on the egoic theoretical pile of ideas “about God”, while few know God! Remember the wisdom saying, “A man with an experience is never at the mercy of a man with a theory”. Continue reading ‘The God Theory’
Jesus’ words from the cross in today’s parlance would be more like “Forgive them, Father, for their consciousness level is still very low.” Our 21st-century consciousness struggles with spiritual interpretations of the Bible from 2-4,000 years ago. But struggle we must!
We are not saved by our righteousness, nor are we sent to hell for eternity for our sins and misgivings. I know how that riles the antagonism of the law-abiding and especially the fundamentalists. But Galatians 2:16 reminds us that no one is saved by the LAW. I’m not saved by an profession of faith in Jesus. There’s no formula that saves me or you. It’s not even MY LOVE for God that saves me. Continue reading ‘Saved By God!’
I know many Christians don’t believe it but God has the FINAL WORD! And the GOOD NEWS is the triumph of grace. Sorry free will, you don’t get the last say after the transition. While here in the third dimension, our free will can do just about anything it wants- subject to the karmic laws of the universe (on this side). But there will come a time later when we truly see the LOVE of the Father and every knee will bow and every tongue confess- the absolute goodness of God! Continue reading ‘The Triumph Of Grace!’
Is there anything more fundamantal (but fundamentals seems to miss it) than the fact that God FORGIVES, is FORGIVING, is MERCIFUL,and always gives UNCONDITIONAL LOVE? I don’t know why this is so hard unless you’ve been taught that God is mercifulless and into torment without restoration. But even with that given- THINK! Continue reading ‘God Forgives!’
The wisdom baseball commentators remind us often that you cannot steal second base with your foot on first base. Stealing second base requires a lead off of first, a movement away from what is safe, and stepping into liminal space. Religion, especially the conservative, fundamentalist flavor abhors such a philosophy. There’s no need of a second base, a second blessing, and anything more once you make a public pronouncement for JAY-ZUS! Continue reading ‘Stealing Second Base’
It’s possible to have both competition and community. But I admit that it is difficult in America. Anyone who follows baseball just a little has heard of George Steinbrenner, owner of the New York Yankees who proclaimed, “I want this team to win. I am obsessed with winning, with discipline, with achieving. That’s what this country is all about.” That the good news and the bad news. Continue reading ‘Community Consciousness’
Puritanical Pollution
The religious in America as still largely hungover from the early Puritans religious binges of the 1600′s. We’re still cutting the ends off of the “proverbial hams” and we don’t know why. Most importantly we haven’t yet figured out that we don’t need to cut the ends off the ham. We need to be delivered from some of America’s religious base that’s not only not valid, but harmful to our spiritual growth. Continue reading ‘Puritanical Pollution’