Heaven or Hell? (Part Three)

For every passage one may quote confirming the finality of hell for non-believers, I can quote another passage which presents a more compassionate option. In the final analysis, we must decide which is stronger—our human, puny capacity to subvert the will of God for our salvation or God’s infinite grace. Continue reading

Sabbath as Radical Resistance

Of all the biblical scholars I’ve ever read, Professor Walter Brueggemann has had the greatest influence on my understanding and application of the Scriptures.  He is that rare genius who knows how to plumb the depths of the biblical witness and at the same time make that witness shockingly relevant… Continue reading

Acts 2: 1-21, 41-47 “The Danger of Becoming Easter Chickens”

Read the Scripture I have a confession to make.  My favorite book of the Bible is the Gospel of Luke.  No single part of Scripture speaks to me as does Luke’s Gospel.  Now, that’s not my confession.  My confession is that until several years ago, Acts was one of my… Continue reading

Matthew 18:21-35 “The Dynamics of Forgiveness”

(23 minutes) Read the Scripture Should Christians always forgive? The initial response of most people in the Christian faith is “Yes.” The popular understanding of Christianity seems to include the necessity of forgiveness, regardless of the magnitude of the sin or offence. And I think that’s one reason why some… Continue reading

Does God Have Sex Organs?

I decided to start referring to God as “She/Her” instead of “He/Him/His.” My rationale for such a decision was the following: for two thousand years God has been referred to as male within the church (with a few exceptions found in such groups as the Rhineland Mystics). I suggested that for the next two thousand years, the church should refer to God as female. That’s only fair, isn’t it? And then maybe after four thousand years of existence, the church can get beyond the question of God’s sex and simply let God be. Continue reading

I Corinthians 15:1-28 “The Impact of Easter”

Wouldn’t be wonderful if we really believed in the resurrection of Jesus? Really trusted with our very being the truth of Easter? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the new creation could start right now with us through how we live, how we love, and how we spread joy and hope in this world? Continue reading