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?”
Category Archives: Missional
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”
A Black Missional Critique of the Missional Movement (Guest Post by D. Kyle Canty)
(This post is written from a friend and old seminary peer of mine, Kyle Canty. As one of the pastors of a black, missional Church in Philly, I thought his perspective would be especially helpful for my readers in considering the larger missional movement’s homogeneity. Please join the conversation and let us know what youContinue reading “A Black Missional Critique of the Missional Movement (Guest Post by D. Kyle Canty)”
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”
John Howard Yoder: On Withdrawing to the Artificial Suburbs
While discussing the various Jewish sects during the time of Jesus, John Howard Yoder, zones in on the communities that produced the Dead Sea scrolls, most often referred to by Biblical scholars as the Essenes. However, he turns its application to what he sees as artificial and synthetic suburban life. He says the following: TheContinue reading “John Howard Yoder: On Withdrawing to the Artificial Suburbs”
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?”
The Will Of God: More Abstractions So We Can Avoid Following Jesus
My title says it all, I probably don’t have to say another word… but I will. 😉 I have grown up hearing Christians talk a lot about aligning themselves to the ‘will of God’. People wrestle constantly over whether they are aligned with God’s will’. This is the most sacred of tasks for many people.Continue reading “The Will Of God: More Abstractions So We Can Avoid Following Jesus”
The Particularity of Christ: Resurrecting Jesus from Abstraction
So, I am realizing more and more that I am more of a post-Christendom theologian than a purely postcolonial theologian (though they are highly related). This is especially true because of my concern that the ‘Christendom Shift’ (the imperial favor Christianity received during Constantine that mutated its core essentials) has marginalized, distorted, and domesticated Jesus.Continue reading “The Particularity of Christ: Resurrecting Jesus from Abstraction”
‘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 