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Tag Archives: Genesis

Our Original Shame

God’s Goodness Is Dynamic 

Creation Is Very Good

Original Goodness Creation Is Very Good Tuesday, October 26, 2021 God saw all God had made, and indeed it was very good. —Genesis 1:31 In Judaism, there is no concept of “original sin.” Instead of believing humans are born in sin, Judaism affirms our place in a “very good” creation. Rabbi Ellen Bernstein is a… Continue Reading Creation Is Very Good

The Shadow of Original Sin

Original Goodness The Shadow of Original Sin Monday, October 25, 2021 Fr. Richard reflects on the negative consequences of Christianity’s emphasis on “original sin.” The truth of our Original Goodness was sadly complicated when the concept of original sin entered the Christian mind. This idea was put forth by Augustine in the fifth century but… Continue Reading The Shadow of Original Sin

Genesis: Everything Is Gift

Great Themes of Scripture: Hebrew Bible Genesis: Everything Is Gift Monday, June 28, 2021 The first recordings of “The Great Themes of Scripture” began in October, 1973. There were about 1,200 young people attending Friday night services through the newly formed New Jerusalem Community in Cincinnati. Richard would often preach for an hour, mostly on… Continue Reading Genesis: Everything Is Gift

From Innocence to Knowledge

Order, Disorder, Reorder: Part One From Innocence to Knowledge Tuesday, August 11, 2020 Many Christians look to the Garden of Eden as the ultimate example of Order. While we can certainly mourn the suffering, it doesn’t do us any good to regret “the Fall.” It had to happen; failure is part of the deal! If… Continue Reading From Innocence to Knowledge

The Soul’s Objective Union with God

Western Christianity The Soul’s Objective Union with God Wednesday, September 19, 2018 The Genesis story of the Judeo-Christian tradition is really quite extraordinary. It says that we were created in the very “image and likeness” of God, proceeding from free and overflowing love (Genesis 1:26). This flow is rediscovered and re-experienced by various imperfect people… Continue Reading The Soul’s Objective Union with God

Reconnecting to Our Original Identity

Creation: Week 1 Reconnecting to Our Original Identity Tuesday, February 13, 2018 For what can be known about God is plain . . . because God has made it plain. . . . Ever since the creation of the world, God’s invisible nature, namely, God’s eternal power and deity, have been there for the mind… Continue Reading Reconnecting to Our Original Identity

Mythos and Logos

Creation: Week 1 Mythos and Logos Monday, February 12, 2018 The Judeo-Christian creation story is told in the form of a cosmic poem (Genesis 1). The realm of myth, art, and poetry can heal and create coherence, connection, and deep trust for the human psyche much better than prose that “tells it like it is.”… Continue Reading Mythos and Logos

The Story that Defines Us

Creation: Week 1 The Story that Defines Us Sunday, February 11, 2018 The first book of the Bible, Genesis, is not the Bible’s oldest book. Genesis’ two accounts of creation were compiled in their present form as late as 500 BC. During this period, the Jews were likely in exile in Babylon, where they were… Continue Reading The Story that Defines Us

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