Tag Archives: reconciliation
Creating a People
Until and unless Christ is someone happening between people, the gospel remains largely an abstraction. Continue Reading Creating a People
Christmas Presence: Weekly Summary
What Christmas tells us is that reality at its deepest foundation is good. The divine is hidden in the human. Continue Reading Christmas Presence: Weekly Summary
How Do We “Save” the World?
Choosing Love in a Time of Evil How Do We “Save” the World? Sunday, May 16, 2021 The Divine Mind transforms all human suffering by identifying completely with the human predicament and standing in full solidarity with it from beginning to end. This is the real meaning of the crucifixion. The cross is not just… Continue Reading How Do We “Save” the World?
Opposing Evil without Becoming It
Scapegoating and the Cross Opposing Evil without Becoming It Tuesday, March 30, 2021 The mystery of the cross teaches us how to stand against hate without becoming hate, how to oppose evil without becoming evil ourselves. We find ourselves stretching in both directions—toward God’s goodness and also toward recognition of our own complicity in evil.… Continue Reading Opposing Evil without Becoming It
Love Is the Protagonist
A New Story Love Is the Protagonist Wednesday, January 13, 2021 Like me, Brian McLaren has spent many decades “on the edge of the inside” of the institutional Church. Although he often critiques the stories told by Christian denominations, he has never tired of the Jesus story or failed to believe in its power to… Continue Reading Love Is the Protagonist
Restorative Justice: Weekly Summary
Restorative Justice Saturday, September 12, 2020 Summary: Sunday, September 6—Friday, September 11, 2020 Our best self wants to restore relationships, and not just blame or punish. This is the “economy of grace” and an operative idea of restorative justice. (Sunday) Jesus, who represents God, usually transforms people at the moments when they most hate themselves,… Continue Reading Restorative Justice: Weekly Summary
A Healing Process
Restorative Justice A Healing Process Thursday, September 10, 2020 When human beings admit to one another “the exact nature of our wrongs,” as the Twelve Steps recommend, we invariably have a human and humanizing encounter that deeply enriches both sides. It is no longer an exercise to achieve moral purity, or regain God’s love, but in fact… Continue Reading A Healing Process
Justice in Relationship
Restorative Justice Justice in Relationship Wednesday, September 9, 2020 Fania E. Davis is a civil rights attorney, writer, scholar, and the founding director of Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth. She explains that through engaging in a relational process of repairing harm, restorative justice is: A justice that seeks not to punish, but to heal. A… Continue Reading Justice in Relationship
Restoring Relationships
Restorative Justice Restoring Relationships Sunday, September 6, 2020 Not everything that is faced can be changed; but nothing can be changed until it is faced. —James Baldwin (1924–1987) Almost all religions and cultures that I know of have believed in one way or another that sin and evil are to be punished and that retribution… Continue Reading Restoring Relationships
Love at the Center
Being Peaceful Change Love at the Center Friday, July 31, 2020 Blessed are the peacemakers: they shall be recognized as children of God. —Matthew 5:9 Today many think we can achieve peace through violence. The myth that violence solves problems is part of the way we think and is in direct opposition to all great religious teachings. Our need for immediate… Continue Reading Love at the Center