Martin Luther King once said, "Violence may murder the murderer, but it doesn't murder murder. Violence may murder the liar, but it doesn't murder lies; it doesn't establish truth.... Violence may go to the point of murdering the hater, but it doesn't murder hate. It may increase hate. It is always a descending spiral leading … Continue reading Violence can’t murder murder
Conflict resolution as a Christian practice
It strikes me that a lot of the practical matters discussed in the New Testament letters are about conflict resolution in one way or another. The letters might be addressing: social conflict (reconciling divisions, enduring persecution, loving one another, practicing hospitality), sexual conflict (infidelity, care within marriage), financial conflict (lawsuits, freeloading, giving generously), verbal conflict … Continue reading Conflict resolution as a Christian practice
John Chrysostom on the living creation
I have been researching what the church fathers had to say on God's creation and God's creatures. Here are a few words from John Chrysostom (347 – 407): "The saints are exceedingly loving and gentle to mankind, and even to the beasts… Surely, we ought to show them great kindness and gentleness for many reasons, … Continue reading John Chrysostom on the living creation
The Jesus of the left and of the right
I have previously suggested that the Christological controversies of the past live on in modern politics, that many right-leaning Christians seem to have Docetic tendencies (emphasizing the divinity of Jesus at times to the neglect of his humanity), whilst many left leaning Christians seem to have Arian tendencies (emphasizing the humanity of Jesus at times … Continue reading The Jesus of the left and of the right
On the Creation of the World (Victorinus)
Victorinus of Pettau was an Early Christian writer who flourished around 270 AD, and who was martyred during the persecutions of Emperor Diocletian around 303 or 304 AD. In his commentary, On the Creation of the World, he observes a number of fourfold correspondences in relation to the created order: “Now is manifested the reason … Continue reading On the Creation of the World (Victorinus)
Another Year
Another Year Another year is dawning! Dear Master, let it be, In working or in waiting, Another year with Thee. Another year of leaning Upon Thy loving breast, Of ever-deepening trustfulness, Of quiet, happy rest. Another year of mercies, Of faithfulness and grace; Another year of gladness In the shining of Thy face. Another year … Continue reading Another Year
Happy Climate Change Christmas
Happy Climate Change Christmas by Reg Mombassa
Little Drummer Girl
While a lot of Christian art you may be familiar with features angels as white and male, Christian art does exist that features angels as black and female. Why not I say. Scripture never describes the skin colour of angels. Nor does it explicitly exclude the possibility of angels appearing in female form. Could the … Continue reading Little Drummer Girl
A long time ago in a manger far, far away
A long time ago in a manger far, far away ... Star of Jacob
Christian symbols read as systems of domination and of liberation
I was delving deeper into the anxious masculinity of white evangelicalism when I came across this comment by Rosemary Radford Reuther: “The oppressive patterns in Christianity towards women and other subjugated people do not come from specific doctrines, but from a patriarchal and hierarchical reading of the system of Christian symbols as a whole. These … Continue reading Christian symbols read as systems of domination and of liberation
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Jesus
In honour of the release of Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker, here is a collection of religiously themed Star Wars fan art. You'll note a lot of the images feature either Anakin Skywalker (aka Darth Vader) or Luke Skywalker as a Jesus-like figure, though Yoda, Princess Leia, and C3PO gets their turn … Continue reading Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Jesus
Politically Correct Christmas
Is the Holy Bible as PC trash? It doesn't mention Christmas, but it does mention feeding the poor, the widowed, the fatherless, and the foreigner!
