Shalom is tested best on society’s margins and is exposed by how the disempowered are treated. When you find an enormous discrepancy between the opportunities for the rich and the poor or the white and the black or men and women, shalom is AWOL. Systemic injustice is what someone called “violence in slow motion.” Jesus’ …
“…for they shall see God.”
Those with a pure heart can “see God” because their sight isn’t impaired by trying to focus on more than one thing at the same time. The outlook of cross-eyed Christians is blurred by competing concerns. The only thing worse than spiritual blindness is thinking you can see when you can’t (Revelation 3:18). Viewing God …
“Love Your Enemies” Suggestion or Command?
The enemy-love message is not exactly what you’d call “attractional.” Sadly, it’s easier to gather a crowd with the message about a God who blesses our battles and hates our enemies as much as we do. Fear, anger, and hate are more popular than love and more natural to our darker selves. Unrestricted love is …
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Judging Donald Trump
(A mere 5 to 6-minute read) Allow me to clarify my regular criticism of Donald Trump and those who can’t get enough of him since he announced his run for president in 2015. It occurred to me that those who think my consistent critique of his moral degeneracy and emotional incompetency makes me guilty of …
Missional, Merciful, Worshipful Christians and Their Churches
[This is the introduction to the book I'm writing now. I'd love to hear what you think of the theme.] Major League Baseball fans drool over the “five-tool player” who can run like the wind, throw like a rocket launcher, hit for average like a machine, hit for power like Superman, and catch fly balls …
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barney wiget 