The Distinguishing Mark of a Child of God
Category: General
Topics: Enemy-Loving Non-Violence
Jesus claimed that loving enemies was a precondition for being considered a child of God. “[L]ove your enemies,” he taught, “that you may be children of your Father…” (Mt. 5:44-45, emphasis added). And again, “love…
Confessions of a Christian Nation: Native American/First Nations Oppression
Category: Sermons and Video Clips
Tags: Brian McLaren, Brian Zahnd, Bruxy Cavey, Confession, Greg Boyd, Native Americans, Repentance, Rex Harsin
Topics: Ethical, Cultural and Political Issues
In this third part of the Confessions series, Brian Zahnd, Brian McLaren, Bruxy Cavey and Greg Boyd confess the sins of the Christian church against the Native American and First Nations people. Thanks to Rex Harsin…
Jesus and Nationalistic Violence
Category: General
Tags: Cruciform Theology, Kingdom of God, Nationalism, Non-Violence, Peace
Topics: Enemy-Loving Non-Violence
Throughout the Old Testament, we find Israel spoken of as God’s “chosen nation.” The Israelites were to be a nation of priests whom God wanted to use to unite the world under him (Ex 19:6)….
Confessions of a Christian Nation – LGBTQ Discrimination
Category: Sermons and Video Clips
Tags: Brian McLaren, Brian Zahnd, Bruxy Cavey, Confession, Greg Boyd, LGBTQ, Rex Harsin
Topics: Ethical, Cultural and Political Issues
Here is the second installment of the Confessions series filmed by Rex Harsin. We pray that it will bring healing and opportunities for reconciliation.
Seeing and Knowing God
Category: General
Tags: Jesus, Transformation
Topics: Following Jesus
There are many scripture passages that seem to suggest that the way people view God often says more about them than it does about God. Our perception of God, as well as other spiritual truths,…
Living Incarnationally
Category: General
Tags: Body of Christ, Incarnation, Jesus
Topics: Following Jesus
The Christian faith is centered on the belief that in Jesus Christ God became a human being. This is commonly referred to as the doctrine of the incarnation. It means that in Jesus, God became…
Responding to the Negative Fallout of Trump’s Election
Category: General
Tags: Kingdom Living, Love Your Neighbor, Politics, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia
Topics: Ethical, Cultural and Political Issues
Yesterday I suggested that we refrain from judging the motivations of brothers and sisters who voted for Donald Trump (see post). As the young lady I spoke with illustrates, a person could genuinely grieve over the negative…
Believing the Best About Political Opponents
Category: General
Tags: Faith, Love, Love Your Enemies, Love Your Neighbor, Politics
Topics: Ethical, Cultural and Political Issues
The surprising election of Donald Trump to President of the United Stated has exposed a profound, anger-filled divide running through the center of the American population. I would like to speak to the many Christians who…
Election Benediction
Category: General
Tags: Faith, Politics, Prayer
Topics: Ethical, Cultural and Political Issues
On this election day, when so many Americans are experiencing high levels of anxiety, I thought it would be good to share an “Election Benediction” that was written and sent to me by Kenneth Tanner….
A Brief Theology of Faith
Category: General
Tags: Doubt, Faith, Kingdom Living
Topics: Following Jesus
Verse: Hebrews 11:1
It is often argued that Hebrews 11:1 provides us with a clear definition of faith. The NIV translates it as, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do…
Jesus and Democracy
Category: General
Tags: Jesus, Kingdom Living, Politics
Topics: Ethical, Cultural and Political Issues
Question: I’ve heard that the reason Jesus didn’t speak up on political issues was because he didn’t have the benefit of living in a democracy. Since we do, don’t we have a duty both to…
The Holy Alternative
Category: General
Tags: Christian Life, Holiness, Jesus
Topics: Following Jesus
God is holy because he’s utterly “other” and distinct from anything in the created world. Certain objects are called holy because they’re set apart from common objects, having been consecrated to God for a special…
The Problem with Trusting in Governments
Category: Sermons and Video Clips
Tags: National Idolatry, Politics
Topics: Ethical, Cultural and Political Issues
In this clip from a recent sermon, Greg discusses the fear that drives us to reject God as King and instead trust in human kings. This is particularly relevant as we approach the presidential election here in…
The Politics of Jesus, Part 2
Category: General
Tags: Jesus, Kingdom Living, Kingdom of God, Politics
Topics: Ethical, Cultural and Political Issues
Even in the midst of politically-troubled times, we are called to preserve the radical uniqueness of the kingdom. This, after all, is what Jesus did as he engaged the first century world with a different…
The Politics of Jesus
Category: General
Tags: Jesus, Love, Non-Violence, Politics, Power, Sacrifice
Topics: Ethical, Cultural and Political Issues
Many are so conditioned by the mindset of the world that they can’t even envision an alternative way of affecting society and politics other than by playing the political game as it is done by…
What Power Do You Trust?
Category: General
Tags: Kingdom Living, Kingdom of God, Kingdom of this World, Love, Non-Violence, Politics, Power, Upside-Down Kingdom
Topics: Enemy-Loving Non-Violence
Governments and nations have always relied on fighting to survive. They punish criminals who threaten their welfare. They go to war against enemies who attack their borders or stand in the way of their agenda….
Christianity and American Politics
Category: General
Tags: Kingdom Living, Missio Alliance, National Idolatry, Politics, Religious Idolatry, Voting
Topics: Ethical, Cultural and Political Issues
Greg was recently featured in Missio Alliance’s Seminary Dropout podcast to share his thoughts about the role of Christians in American politics. Today we’re sharing part 1 of that conversation. What is the role of…
The Destiny of God’s People
Category: General
Tags: Jesus, Kingdom of God, Peace, Racial Reconciliation, Unity, Warfare Worldview
Topics: Following Jesus
Jesus represents the realization of God’s glorious dream for humanity. In Christ, we see what we who are in Christ are destined to be. As a stick placed in a river is destined to be…
Kingdom Reconciliation is Not About Politics (But it is Political)
Category: General
Tags: Kingdom Living, Kingdom of God, Politics, Racial Reconciliation, Revolt
Topics: Ethical, Cultural and Political Issues
In the broader culture, the social and political discussions about racial reconciliation are usually focused on people’s rights and privileges as a means of making the world a fairer place. The criteria such efforts at…
The Coming Kingdom & Racial Conflict
Category: General
Tags: Kingdom Living, Kingdom of God, Love, Racial Reconciliation, Unity
Topics: Ethical, Cultural and Political Issues
In the book of Revelation, we see a glimpse into the future. John says he saw, …a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne…