Tag Archives: critique
A Deeper Tenor
Gender and Sexuality A Deeper Tenor Wednesday, October 23, 2019 My deceased friend Walter Wink (1935–2012), a Methodist minister, biblical scholar, theologian, and nonviolent activist, put religion’s struggles with gender and sexuality into historical perspective as another opportunity for learning Jesus’ way of liberation—of both oppressed and oppressors. Where the Bible mentions [same-sex sexual] behavior… Continue Reading A Deeper Tenor
Inner and Outer Freedom
Franciscan Way: Part Two Inner and Outer Freedom Tuesday, October 8, 2019 Francis and Clare of Assisi were not so much prophets by what they said as by the radical, system-critiquing way that they lived their lives. They found both their inner and outer freedom by structurally living on the edge of the inside of… Continue Reading Inner and Outer Freedom
Nonviolence Works
Nonviolence Nonviolence Works Thursday, August 22, 2019 How is it that many Christians have managed to avoid what Jesus actually taught? We’ve evaded major parts of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7): the Beatitudes, Jesus’ warning about idolizing “mammon,” his clear directive and example of nonviolence, and his command to love our enemies. I… Continue Reading Nonviolence Works
Creating Peaceful Change
Nonviolence Creating Peaceful Change Sunday, August 18, 2019 The root of violence is the illusion of separation—from God, from being one with oneself and everything else, and from Being Itself. When we don’t know how to consciously live out of union (which is called love), we resort to violence, fighting anything that is not like… Continue Reading Creating Peaceful Change
Why Are You Here?
Mystic: Howard Thurman Why Are You Here? Thursday, July 25, 2019 Today, as you read this second excerpt from Howard Thurman’s book Jesus and the Disinherited, hold an open heart and mind. In other words, read with a contemplative stance. The meditation ends with a question that I’ll hope you’ll sit with—as Thurman and his… Continue Reading Why Are You Here?
A Subtle Peril
Mystic: Howard Thurman A Subtle Peril Wednesday, July 24, 2019 Howard Thurman lovingly critiqued Christianity, which has often ignored the direct teaching and witness of Jesus in relationship with those who are oppressed. This excerpt is from one of Thurman’s most well-known books, Jesus and the Disinherited. I think this message is important today and… Continue Reading A Subtle Peril
The Edge of the Inside
Prophets: Part Two The Edge of the Inside Tuesday, July 9, 2019 Prophets, by their very nature, cannot be at the center of any social structure. Rather, they are “on the edge of the inside.” They cannot be full insiders, but they cannot throw rocks from outside either. A true prophet must be educated inside… Continue Reading The Edge of the Inside
Struggling with Shadow
Prophets: Part One Struggling with Shadow Tuesday, July 2, 2019 The Hebrew prophets are in a category all their own. Within the canonical, sacred Scriptures of other world religions we do not find major texts that are largely critical of that very religion. Prophets can deeply love their tradition and profoundly criticize it at the… Continue Reading Struggling with Shadow
Speaking the Truth from Within
Prophets: Part One Speaking the Truth from Within Monday, July 1, 2019 A prophet is one who names a situation truthfully in its largest context without being pulled into dualistic factions. Scripture shows the Hebrew prophets speaking to the people as one of their own, not above or apart from the community. Prophets share in… Continue Reading Speaking the Truth from Within
