Some people say that religious beliefs can neither be justified nor refuted by reason. However while sometimes this claim is used as a reason for rejecting religious beliefs at other times it is used to conclude that these beliefs are established by faith. To what extent is faith a legitimate basis for knowledge claims in religion and the different areas of knowledge?
A book called “Unchristian” has been put out, in part by the Barna Research group. They are studying the responses of people to the notion of Christianity and Christians in general. In a nutshell, the news isn’t good. The “church” has lost credibility and strikes many as hypocritical and judgmental and specifically not a strong reflection of Jesus.
I’ve got a stack of books I am going to re-read this Spring. One I began perusing is called The Astonished Heart, by Robert Farrar Capon. The sub-title is ‘reclaiming the good news from the lost-and-found of church history.’
Vote for Rick!! Just had to say that
This is actually about an excerpt from Jim Wallis’ Sojourners(Sojourners) “God’s Politics” blog:
“Do you think Jesus was a politician?”
Of course not. But he had a vision of the Kingdom of God which was spiritual, personal, relational, social, economic, and yes, political - because it talked [...]
What does it mean to “submit”? Which relationships and circumstances allow for variations of the word’s meaning? What is the biblical meaning most important to you?
Just a reminder that we are meeting this Sunday at 3:30 at the Fifth St Market, second floor dining area behind the Chelsea Pub. We are going to talk about the book “The Shack”.
Also, we will float the question of whether a “second Sunday” gathering fits with people’s lives and Epinoia dreams.
If you are [...]
The word reconcile at it’s most basic means to restore a relationship to harmony or to resolve a difference. This what God took the initiative to do for us through Christ. A net result of that merciful act is that we are invited to share the message of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:19). [...]
In Romans 6, Paul asks: Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? To paraphrase a question from a different comment: if there is no eternal penalty of damnation, why not chuck my bible and live indulgently?
Should love make us feel good? Should it make us feel happy and important?
What did Jesus really mean by the parable of the good samaritan? Are we really supposed to stick our neck out for strangers? Is it reasonable to dump difficult relationships, jobs, churches?
What is the difference between forgiveness and trust?
Thoughts from the pen of Phillip Gulley:
A church that claims to be of the Body of Christ must act like Jesus. Reach out & touch ‘lepers’, call them brothers & sisters, seek their healing & restoration to the community, before they repent of whatever we deem sinful, not afterward. Offer acceptance.
Every person… is morally [...]
