An important question that any true Christian should ask themselves is:
If you were living in Jerusalem during the time of Jesus, would you have accepted or rejected him?
Most Christians will automatically respond: "Of course I would accept the Savior!"
And I would say them: "Are you sure about that? Because many Christian zealots themselves also cling to similar rigid and dogmatic assumptions - with no inclination whatsoever that some of these assumptions might be mistaken. The fact is that if you are narrow-minded, hard-hearted, and obsessively cling to dogmatic assumptions, you would most likely be in league with the horde who honestly thought that they were obeying the will of the Lord when they rejected Jesus.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Friday, August 9, 2013
Christian Evolution
Here's a Progressive Christian site that I can recommend:
http://www.christianevolution.com/
He also has a facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/LikeChristianEvolution
http://www.christianevolution.com/
He also has a facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/LikeChristianEvolution
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Dealing with Injustice
Up until now we have been focusing on the issue of political injustice. However, for this months entry, the subject will be personal injustice, and how to deal with it.
Today I had an encounter with an angry hateful person who sought to transfer his own personal negative emotions onto me. Perhaps what was most difficult to deal with is that the altercation was unprovoked and undeserved.
I believe that I handled the matter in a Christian way - meaning that I "turned the other cheek," and in so doing, maintained the moral high ground. As a result, I was able to walk away feeling good that I did not give in to what was essentially a trap.
As I think about the incident, I realize that it is the idea of injustice that continues to trouble me. I call it injustice because not only was the attack was undeserved, but the antagonist essentially got away with his bad behavior. As I write this I am dealing with the process of not just letting go, but rising above it. I realize that if I do not, I will be pulled down into the dark angry world that the antagonist dwells in. I must realize that the offender was acting out because of troubles in his own life. For him to expel that negative energy was cathartic for him. In that sense, (and I say this not in a condescending tone) I must look at him as Christ looked upon the sinners of his time. That is: not with bitter contempt, but with pity. And perhaps, in the future, it will occur to the offender that what he did was wrong, and he will feel remorseful and learn from it, and attempt to be a better human-being. And if he doesn't, I must remember that my reward for not giving in to anger and hate will be in Heaven.
Today I had an encounter with an angry hateful person who sought to transfer his own personal negative emotions onto me. Perhaps what was most difficult to deal with is that the altercation was unprovoked and undeserved.
I believe that I handled the matter in a Christian way - meaning that I "turned the other cheek," and in so doing, maintained the moral high ground. As a result, I was able to walk away feeling good that I did not give in to what was essentially a trap.
As I think about the incident, I realize that it is the idea of injustice that continues to trouble me. I call it injustice because not only was the attack was undeserved, but the antagonist essentially got away with his bad behavior. As I write this I am dealing with the process of not just letting go, but rising above it. I realize that if I do not, I will be pulled down into the dark angry world that the antagonist dwells in. I must realize that the offender was acting out because of troubles in his own life. For him to expel that negative energy was cathartic for him. In that sense, (and I say this not in a condescending tone) I must look at him as Christ looked upon the sinners of his time. That is: not with bitter contempt, but with pity. And perhaps, in the future, it will occur to the offender that what he did was wrong, and he will feel remorseful and learn from it, and attempt to be a better human-being. And if he doesn't, I must remember that my reward for not giving in to anger and hate will be in Heaven.
Friday, July 5, 2013
The Art of Gustave Dor'e
Paul Gustave Doré was a 19th century French artist. Perhaps best known for his Biblical work. http://dore.artpassions.net/
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