We run our website the way we wished the whole internet worked: we provide high quality original content with no ads. We are funded by your direct support for ReKnew and our vision. Please consider supporting this project.
Today We Can’t Lighten Up
We usually post something light-hearted or funny on Fridays. Not today. Not in the aftermath of the massacre in Charleston.
Instead, we wanted to share with you the words of our friend Osheta Moore. You can read her post in its entirety here, but we wanted to highlight this portion:
I’m kneeling at the cross today, wetting the ground with my tears for the suffering of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. I’m full of sorrow for Dylann Roof. And right now, I need to hear, I’m sorry and I’m listening. I suspect, I’m not the only one. Will you let your words be few and your love great today as we process the shooting in Charleston? Will you practice Shalom by putting aside your agenda and taking up the call of the cross to die to yourself? Will you hold ground for healing where violence trampled our hope? The choice is yours, Kingdom person.
Lord, have mercy.
Image by Tim Kimzey, The Spartanburg Harald-Journal/AP
Related Reading
Lighten Up: Jesus Makes Things Hard
Maybe Mark Driscoll is on to something. I guess Jesus really does want to make someone bleed. ;)
The Source of Violence
When people think of violence, they think of physical violence. But the truth is that our actions are only violent because our hearts and minds are violent first. For this reason, Jesus emphasizes purging violence from our minds as much as from our physical behavior. In Matt 5:21-26, he reminds us of the OT command…
Is Islam Inherently Violent?
An increasing number of people, especially in conservative Christian circles, are claiming that Islam is an inherently violent religion. They point to all the violence in the history of Islam and all of the violence being carried out by Muslims today as proof of this. I believe this claim is as misguided as it is…
Is Islam Inherently Violent? – Further Thoughts
Greg originally posted some thoughts on Islam here. In this video, he discusses some responses he received, and further thoughts on a Kingdom posture toward Muslims.
What Can We Do About Gun Violence? The Rex Harsin Interview (podcast)
Dan talks with Rex Harsin about his new documentary called “Beating Guns,” made with Shane Claiborne and Michael Martin of RAWTools. What does it mean to believe in and follow a non-violent savior while wielding a gun? Can a Christian be a peacemaker while being licensed to carry? What does it mean to be a follower…
ISIS, Islam & Jesus
Our friend Bruxy taught a series at The Meeting House titled ISIS, Islam & Jesus that we wanted to share with you. This is episode one, and you can find the whole series by clicking here. If you believe in redemptive violence, you’ll be challenged by what he has to say.