While some people conflate their preferred party’s platform with their tribe’s exclusive right to righteousness, political alliances are virtually useless in our definition and demonstration of Jesus’ surpassing righteousness. His idea of what is right is transcultural, where parties and platforms are fickle and die slow deaths. They decompose and produce soil in which the …
Othering vs Belonging
We take the first step in the direction of the kind of righteousness that outshines and outstrips its faux versions when we decline to pigeonhole people in conveniently labeled boxes and begin to love them based on our commonality. “The opposite of Othering is not saming,’” says John A. Powell, “it is belonging. And belonging …
The “Rhodium” Rule
Though commonly known as the “Golden Rule,” I suggest it’s more like Rhodium (ˈRōdēəm), the rarest of metals on the planet. Though I doubt my idea will catch on, my point is that the actual practice of Jesus’ rule is as rare as rhodium. You have to look high and low to excavate even the …
Better Chain or Gentler Dog?
I recently visited an old friend who lives way out at the end of a Northern California country road. As I got out of my car and approached his house I noticed an enormous Saint Bernard sitting in the shade of a great old oak tree. More importantly, I noticed him noticing me. As they …
Jesus or Ayn Rand?
Twentieth century philosopher Ayn Rand wrote: “Every man—is an end in himself, not the means to the ends of others. He must exist for his own sake, neither sacrificing himself to others nor sacrificing others to himself. The pursuit of his own rational self-interest and of his own happiness is the highest moral purpose of …
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