Do I think Jesus is greater than Mohammed, Buddha, Zoroaster, et al? Absolutely! Do I think all those who are following those “others” are going to hell? Absolutely not! I know, I know.. Such a mess isn’t it. You just get started thinking one thing and then another seemingly contradictory thing shows it’s face. It’s called a paradox: holding the tension of opposites; and, not an easy thing to do. It’s so much easier to be Either-Or than And-Also. Continue reading ‘Supremacy Isn’t A Monopoly’
Archive for the 'Liminal Space' Category
Try as we might, and as we do; however, words are insufficient for religious language. What are we saying, what do we mean Is this in any sense normal language? Can we interpret such a phrase literally?when we say that “God comes to us“? From whence does He come? From where to where and then what? What are we saying when we say that “Jesus sits at the right hand of God?” How’s a secular person to interpret that? Religious language must by it’s very nature be more POETIC than anything else. Continue reading ‘Words Don’t Work’
The only way to get through life without cratering over and over again is to be a true Son of God. Jesus was. He received ALL that God offered. William Scott Palmer said it this way, “We learn that what we call Sonship in God must at least mean the capacity of receiving Him into ourselves and penetrating into His desire for us.” Sure makes sense to me. Wonder why we see so little of it? Continue reading ‘A True Son!’
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!’
I know this will offend some, but go back and read Psalms 119:165 first. In fact just click on that verse and then as you continue maybe you can get into the Christ-like Spirit. You might even agree with some of what I’m about to write. There is nothing that I am about to create in this electronic message that demeans Jesus, the greatest man that ever lived (for me). I would ask though, that if we call the God who created the U-verse (before AT&T did) Father, why can’t we call Jesus brother? Why does that offend? Continue reading ‘Big Brother Jesus’
Where did this phrase come from? Most use it only in response or association with Jesus, the Christ, who is the first begotten son of God. However, this is a very commony used Hebrew-Jewish term that could cover an assortment of defintions. The most common usage of the title, “son of God“, was one who was deemed righteous. Hosea (1:10) used it as a general reference to all the children of Israel. There were other categories as well. Continue reading ‘Sons Of God’
A fairy tale is a fictional story that usually features folkloric characters (such as fairies, goblins, elves, trolls, witches, giants, and talking animals) and enchantments, often involving a far-fetched sequence of events. In modern-day parlance, the term is also used to describe to something blessed with unusual happiness. But what about fossils? Fossils (from Latin fossus, literally “having been dug up“) are the mineralized or otherwise preserved remains or traces (such as footprints) of animals, plants, and other organisms.And….? Continue reading ‘Fossils & Fairy Tales’
Once upon a time, centuries ago, myths were accepted without having to think through the logic, if any. Then along comes the scientific age, the age of reason, and the age of diversity. People no longer buy into what was once not even questioned. The church has to change its act, its approach, and dialogue with the world. And, it’s a good thing. Continue reading ‘Flesh Vs. Spirit Historically’
The church may lag behind most other institutions in keeping up with the times, and exponential changes that we’re seeing; however, she will have to inevitably change. The Spirit of God will keep pulling and tugging on our individual spirits, and us collectively (church), until we get there. It is just a part of the nature of the church to be conservative. With the tremendous amount of information and discoveries that keep coming (including archaeological finds) at us, no one can “hold the fort”. Continue reading ‘The Winds Of Change’
How many times have you heard it said that the Dead Sea Scolls were a great find that totally affirmed the reality of Jesus and the New Testament works? I not only heard that, as a good Baptist boy, but I believed it and told everyone about it. But, what was this IT that I was speaking in reference? The Dead Sea scrolls are objects of great mystery, intrigue and significance—are widely acknowledged to be among the greatest archaeological treasures ever discovered. They comprise roughly 900 documents, including texts discovered between 1947 and 1956 in eleven caves in and around the Wadi Qumran (near the ruins of the ancient settlement of Khirbet Qumran, on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea) in the West Bank. But, guess what? Continue reading ‘Nag Not Dead Sea!’
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