(Continued from Part 2) (Or you can start with Part 1) If looking at salvation as a human right can be seen as valid, then the question is whether it is useful. What, if anything, can be gained from this perspective. Here are a few VERY TENTATIVE suggestions. It firmly places salvation within a community. …
Month: September 2018
Salvation as a Human Right? (pt 2 of 3)
(Continuation from Part One) In Evangelical circles, at least, salvation has been classically framed in a CRIMINAL JUSTICE model. We are all sinners, guilty before God, the judge. Salvation is only available through the payment of the judgment against us... that price was paid by Jesus. This is a perfectly fine way of looking at …
Salvation as a Human Right? (pt 1 of 3)
I have been reading the essay, “Women Confronting State-Instigated Violence” by Darlene Marquez-Caramanzana. This is not normally the type of writing I would be reading, but it was part of a book that was gifted to me by Father Terry from Aglipay Central Theological Seminary. The book is a collection of essays and poems of …
Unexpected Break
I like to put up a post around once every three days. However, we had a major typhoon blow overhead this last weekend. The day before the storm a tree next to us fell over knocking out power lines and narrowly missing the spot where we normally park our car (I had moved it to …
Imagine a World With Limits
Picture two artists tasked to create works of art. Artist A is given limitations. He is told that it must be a painting on a 1 meter by 1 meter canvas. He is also given time constraints-- perhaps 4 weeks. Further he may be given subject constraints--- perhaps the one who commissioned it is …
A Modern-day Parable for the Church
I love stories that make you think. What do you think of this story" (You can click on the short-hand link below) https://wp.me/p3YTq-9y It is about a big factory that makes grease. Hmmm... strange choice of product. I wonder if that will prove to be relevant in terms of explaining how many churches function today?
Misinformation in the 2nd Century
Three things are alleged against us: atheism, Thyestean feasts, Œdipodean intercourse. But if these charges are true, spare no class: proceed at once against our crimes; destroy us root and branch, with our wives and children, if any Christian is found to live like the brutes. And yet even the brutes do not touch the …
When is Being a “Follower of Christ” a BAD Thing?
My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in …
Continue reading When is Being a “Follower of Christ” a BAD Thing?
“Two Masters” Repost
Barry Phillips is a missionary here in the Philippines. He and his wife oversee Aurora College of Intercultural Studies, among other things. This post (on FB) speaks of his concerns about Americanism (and similar ethnocentric tendencies of other groups). He also expresses concern about militarism. I don't necessarily agree with everything in the post... but …
A Rewind at the Love Feast
Have you ever wanted to do things over again--- perhaps do something different, or something the same but better. I rewind things in my mind and try to “fix” whatever I did poorly, or not as well as I could have. One of the joys of blogging is the ability to do just that. Go …