With every step Jesus took into and within Jerusalem, he pushed against the status quo of fear and oppression. He pushed the Jewish leadership in their cooperation with the empire. He pushed the Roman leadership, riding that thin line between nuisance and seditionist. The leaders saw that the crowd was getting behind Jesus, drawn to … Continue reading “BlogPost: Holy Week – Day 4”
Category: theology
BlogPost: Eucharist As Catalyst for Social Justice
The heart of my studies has been pushing me deeper into a realization of the power of the Eucharist (the ritual with bread and wine) and eucharistic practices (figuratively and literally gathering diverse people around tables of fellowship and equality). In reading about Reformed, Roman Catholic, and other perspectives about the Eucharist, I am finding … Continue reading “BlogPost: Eucharist As Catalyst for Social Justice”
On Sanctuary, Social Justice and Advent
Over the years I have been told many times that the Church should not engage in politics. However, having read scripture and come to understand our Presbyterian tradition more deeply, I have a hard time understanding how the Church cannot be involved in politics. To be involved in “politics” (from the Greek word polis, which … Continue reading “On Sanctuary, Social Justice and Advent”
Religious Diversity Survey Results
Thank you to all at University Presbyterian Church in Tempe, AZ who participated in the survey sent out in February for one of my Doctor of Ministry classes at McCormick Theological Seminary. The class title was “The Church in the World Today,” and focused primarily on the shape of global Christianity and how it has … Continue reading “Religious Diversity Survey Results”
The Upside Down World of God
Both our Hebrew and Greek scriptures hold a vision of the kingdom of God where the rich and powerful are knocked down off their pedestals of arrogance and pride, and the poor and marginalized are lifted up out of the pits of despair, and all people are called to live in harmony and at least … Continue reading “The Upside Down World of God”