There’s something wrong with us
For those of no religious persuasion the whole thing about Jesus being a human/divine sacrifice can seem pretty weird. What kind of God would demand such a thing before he’ll “save” anyone? If… Continue reading
Tag Archive: forgiveness
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Rancor, righteousness, and redemption
This is good, all this divisiveness, public shaming, and indignant moralizing. You know why? Because when someone implies that I’m a cruel and heartless hypocrite, I actually examine myself to see if the… Continue reading
Dude, you’re dirty and drowning
Sometimes, actually quite often, I marvel and wonder why so many people, some of them family and friends, reject the truth of Christianity which has so thoroughly convinced me. Some may claim an… Continue reading
A Christmas story
-with apologies to everyone expecting poignant family moments, angelic birth announcements, or Red Ryder rifles and leg lamps Those hateful games, which made the spectacle of human suffering and death the delight of… Continue reading
Oh, the contrasts
So if you look at all these verses taken together, Jake, what we see, I think, is the necessity for both faith and works. Jake is the man with a question. Karl Keating,… Continue reading
Give me the bad news first
Works matter. No doubt about it. And any evangelical worth his or her salt (Matthew 5:13) will tell you that. Are we saved by faith alone? Absolutely. And any Catholic who honestly wrestles… Continue reading
5 responses to badness
I’m so bad. I may look pretty good but when I or anyone look close enough, I’m really pretty bad. My selfish self is dreadful and demanding, and ugly. But I nurture and… Continue reading
The curse(s)
The excitement in Northeast Ohio has diminished some since the Cleveland Cavaliers won the NBA championship a few weeks ago. But one still needn’t drive far before seeing Cavs colors and logos in… Continue reading
Purgatory as a perennial time-out
David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” And Nathan said to David, “The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die. Nevertheless, because by this deed you… Continue reading
Diving for sins
I’m talking about Purgatory again…just to give you a heads-up right at the top in case the torturous flames aren’t of concern or interest to you. Some may wonder why I am spending… Continue reading
(Almost) nobody’s perfect
My husband and I own an outdoor party center, and every three or four days during the season you can find me mowing our considerable acreage for about 2 and a half hours… Continue reading
The scandalous cross
It’s like wearing a tiny electric chair on a chain. That’s how a pastor at our church once described the offense of the cross of Jesus Christ. He was talking about how something… Continue reading
What are we to make of this Jesus fellow?
It is a question with an ancient history that continues to have contemporary significance. What we believe about this individual whose life made an incalculable impact on the world, in a very real… Continue reading
Of mercy, and justice
Picture this: Two men are on death row for murder. Both acknowledge their guilt and have resigned themselves to their fate. But when Murderer A unexpectedly receives a pardon, Murderer B is outraged… Continue reading
Judging our Judge
Is God a moral monster because he commanded the slaughter of whole groups of people, including children? Are the records in the Old Testament of God ordering the nation of Israel to mercilessly… Continue reading