I woke up in the morning to some interesting dialogue on Twitter. Apparently Scott Mcknight has a new book, which I have not read, and it is getting some attention for his polemics around “skinny jeans” and “pleated pants” Christians’ understanding of the kingdom of God. It is not those categories that was controversial, butContinue reading “Christian Century Post: The Church and the Kingdom of God”
Category Archives: Kingdom of God
‘Around the Way’ Ethics: Have you felt the clash of dominant cultural sensibilities?
The Church is filled with divisions. For the most part people have simply accepted this as a given and an inevitable reality. Hardly do people find themselves with enough Christian instincts to be deeply troubled with what’s going on. Even more rare than that, it is almost impossible to find followers of Jesus committed toContinue reading “‘Around the Way’ Ethics: Have you felt the clash of dominant cultural sensibilities?”
2 Necessary Moves To Break Free from White Supremacy in the Church: Constantine, “the White Male Figure”, and the Centrality of Jesus
I am supposed to be reading about Constantine and his relationship to the bishops in the 4th century. H. A. Drake turns the discussion away from merely looking at Constantine and his actions, and whether or not he was genuine or not, you know the old Constantine scholarly debates. Instead, he looks at the BishopsContinue reading “2 Necessary Moves To Break Free from White Supremacy in the Church: Constantine, “the White Male Figure”, and the Centrality of Jesus”
the UNkingdom of GOD: Embracing The Subversive Power of Repentance by Mark Van Steenwyk – Book Review
Mark Van Steenwyk has written a thoughtful reflection on the significance of Jesus and his in-breaking Kingdom as an alternative way of being in our society that is marred by evil forces, social structures, death-dealing oppression, and coercive violence. the UNkingdom of God is a subversive and anti-imperial vision for a repentant life concretely followingContinue reading “the UNkingdom of GOD: Embracing The Subversive Power of Repentance by Mark Van Steenwyk – Book Review”
Why do you call me Lord?: Praxis and Foundations
In America, it is common to hear people comment on how hard it must be to be a Christian overseas where persecution is rampant. Unfortunately, in response many begin cheering patriotically because of our so called American rights and our supposed ‘freedom’ to gather in Jesus’ name. While we could explore the faulty labelContinue reading “Why do you call me Lord?: Praxis and Foundations”
Are We Celebrating Easter Right?
For Easter, many preachers will get into their pulpits and tell their congregations that the appropriate response to Jesus’ death and resurrection is gratitude. We must be thankful for forgiveness (for our individual sins), we must be thankful for assurance (meaning it doesn’t matter how we live), and we must be thankful for salvation (which is interpretedContinue reading “Are We Celebrating Easter Right?”
How to Follow Jesus and Love Our Neighbors Without Voting (Guest Post by Samantha E. Lioi)
(I am thankful to have a guest post by a new friend, Samantha Lioi. Things like Justice, Peace, and Community, are not just ideals to hold for her, but are integral parts of her life. I thought it would be helpful to have a countering perspective to the model I presented earlier, for which IContinue reading “How to Follow Jesus and Love Our Neighbors Without Voting (Guest Post by Samantha E. Lioi)”
Christians in the midst of Imperial Political Debate (My Quick & Brief Thoughts)
So many Christians are bent out of shape because of the political atmosphere. Blood pressures are high, as though everything depended on the outcome of the coming election. It doesn’t matter if you are democrat or republican, the general consensus is that if “their” guy doesn’t get into office all hell will break loose inContinue reading “Christians in the midst of Imperial Political Debate (My Quick & Brief Thoughts)”
‘Tweener Jesus’ Visits the Temple: Luke 2:41-51
Now Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem every year for the feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. But when the feast was over, as they were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but (because they assumed thatContinue reading “‘Tweener Jesus’ Visits the Temple: Luke 2:41-51”
Baby Jesus Presented in the Temple: Luke 2:21-39
At the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given by the angels before he was conceived in the womb. Now when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, Joseph and Mary brought Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (justContinue reading “Baby Jesus Presented in the Temple: Luke 2:21-39”
Drew G. I. Hart 