A theology rooted in fear results in hostility, aggression, and coercion towards others. A theology rooted in love results in kindness, humility, and compassion towards others. How we Christians treat others is the clearest indication of which theology we have.
03648 – Following Jesus…or Not?
When our Christianity begins to look like vengeance, animosity, and hostility towards the world, rather than love, humility, and compassion, that is when we know we are following someone other than Jesus.
02482 – During Great Revolutionaries’ Lifetimes…
During the lifetime of great revolutionaries, the oppressing classes have visited relentless persecution on them and received their teaching with the most savage hostility, the most furious hatred, the most ruthless campaign of lies and slander. After their death,...
01776 – A New Friendship
Many new friends have come into my life...Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, New Agers, and others—including lots of atheists and agnostics, too. One of the most dramatic of those friendships began in the aftermath of 9/11/2001. Like a lot of churches, our little...
00644 – Jesus Knew What Was Happening
Jesus knows what will happen. We need not attribute this to supernatural foreknowledge. Jesus must have known that the noose was tightening, that the cross was approaching. He could not have been oblivious to the hostility of the authorities, and he may well have...
00611 – Why is Racism Morally Wrong?
Why is racism morally wrong? Because it is hostile and indifferent to the good of the other. It is our moral duty to have regard for the well-being of every human being and to promote and protect it insofar as our attitudes and actions have power to affect that...
00361 – Acknowledging God’s Reign
Under the sway of forces hostile to God, the world seeks to twist the church into its own mold. Under the sovereign rule of God, on the other hand, the church must resist conformity to the world. It must not capitulate to the pressures to fall in line (Romans 12:20)....
00132 – Making Good Trouble
Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Do not become bitter or hostile. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble. We will find a way to make a way out of no way.
00124 – More than One Type of Virus
In these challenging, difficult times [pandemic], we are discovering a wisdom that we needed all along, and that wisdom is that we are all connected. We are not separate. We used to think that we caught diseases as individuals: "I'm sick; you're not." But now we...