Tag Archives: Christianity
The Fruitful Margins of the Empire
Mystics and the Margins The Fruitful Margins of the Empire Wednesday, September 30, 2020 On the margins of the Roman Empire, Ireland and Scotland helped hand down the Christian contemplative lineage. The Romans had conquered much of Europe by the time of Jesus’ birth; though they ruled Britain, the Romans never occupied Ireland or parts… Continue Reading The Fruitful Margins of the Empire
A Church on the Margins
Mystics and the Margins A Church on the Margins Monday, September 28, 2020 We’ve tended to soften Jesus’ conflict with the system, or the established powers, but Jesus’ ministry took place on the margins! In the year 313 A.D., with the Edict of Milan, the Church dramatically changed sides and Christians officially became the Church… Continue Reading A Church on the Margins
An Unspeakable Name
Interspiritual Mysticism An Unspeakable Name Monday, September 21, 2020 Remember what God said to Moses: “I AM Who I AM” (Exodus 3:14). God is clearly not tied to a name, nor does God seem to want us to tie Divinity to any one name. Which is why, in Judaism, God’s statement to Moses became God’s… Continue Reading An Unspeakable Name
Solidarity Instead of Judgment
Interspiritual Mysticism Solidarity Instead of Judgment Sunday, September 20, 2020 In our one small and interwoven world, the great spiritual messengers of all the sacred traditions are a universal human treasure, to be received and reverenced with the respect due an attained being, an exemplar of a higher level of human consciousness. —Cynthia Bourgeault While… Continue Reading Solidarity Instead of Judgment
Transforming our Pain
Wounded Healers Transforming our Pain Friday, September 18, 2020 If I were to name the Christian religion, I would probably call it “The Way of the Wound.” Jesus agrees to be the Wounded One, and we Christians are these strange believers in a wounded healer. We come to God not through our strength but through our… Continue Reading Transforming our Pain
A Disruption of the Spirit
Order, Disorder, Reorder: Part Two A Disruption of the Spirit Wednesday, August 19, 2020 My friend and CAC colleague Brian McLaren has spent years imagining “a new kind of Christianity” that invites people into a deepening commitment to love of God, neighbor, and self. Such a movement for the common good is surely disruptive or… Continue Reading A Disruption of the Spirit
Community as Alternative Consciousness
Alternative Community Community as Alternative Consciousness Monday, June 1, 2020 The goal of the spiritual journey is to discover and move toward connectedness on ever new levels. We may begin by making little connections with other people, with nature and animals, then grow into deeper connectedness with people. Finally, we can experience full connectedness as… Continue Reading Community as Alternative Consciousness
Common Ground and Purpose
Alternative Community Common Ground and Purpose Sunday, May 31, 2020 Pentecost Sunday It’s sad to say, but for centuries the Christian vision was narrowed to what we have today—a preoccupation with private salvation. Our “personal relationship with Jesus” seems to be based on a very small notion of Christ. We’ve modeled church after a service… Continue Reading Common Ground and Purpose
Invitation to Solidarity
Solidarity Invitation to Solidarity Sunday, May 24, 2020 Throughout human history, countless people have been poor, vulnerable, or oppressed in some way. Those holding positions of authority within systems of power secure their own privilege, comfort, and wealth—almost always at the expense of those most on the margins. Much of history has been recorded to… Continue Reading Invitation to Solidarity
Liberation
Ways of Knowing Liberation Thursday, February 13, 2020 James Cone (1938–2018) is one of the greatest American theologians of this past century, yet sadly many Christians have never heard of him. His work laid the foundation for a liberation theology that spoke directly to the injustice, oppression, and violence faced by the Black community in the United States. Jesus made it clear that he came to bring “good news… Continue Reading Liberation
