Random Thoughts
In recent times I havent felt inclined to blog. I have however been writing a great deal, as any of you other graduate students will understand. I have also been in a much more contemplative mood lately, reading and resting more than preaching, teaching and blogging. Here are some thoughts that I have had recently. Most of them are about various social ethics topics since that is where I spend most of my intellectual time. I must confess however that I dont intend to substantiate any of them at this time, nor am I completely convinced that they are all true, they are simply things that have come to my mind and most of them are things that I would like to research more. Here ya go…
“Wonders why it is ok to kill in war to stop people from committing evil acts but it is considered a terrible thing to kill an abortion doctor to prevent him from killing innocent babies? Is this a double standard? Do we really believe the unborn are truly living?” I of course dont advocate either, I am just trying to understand pro-war and pro-life logic.
“If folks think that gay marriage should be outlawed because it is an immoral choice, then so should athiesm, based on that logic. Also, those who are insulted that the gay rights movement is being compared to the civil rights movement because there “are ex-gays, and no ex-blacks” they should think about the american revolution that was about being ex-british, or the protestant reform as being ex-catholics. People simply want their freedom and their rights. In that regard these movements are all the same.”
“Any ethic that sees violence as an option is necessarily an ethic that rejects the teaching and example of Jesus. If we use violence we in essence decalre that what Jesus said and did to combat evil in the world can now be put aside for a more “effective” way of delaing with things here and now. This ethic of accepting viloence seems so right because we can see tangible results quickly, but it is never faithful to the one who promises that vengance and protection are his alone.”
“We need to deal with abortion in a way that is redemptive to both mother and child. Law does not do this. It may save the life of the child, but will often push the mother away from the church and she may take her child with her. If we use the power of law instead of the better power of relationship to save the child, then we take the chance that we only save the child’s physical life while we lose the soul of both mother and child.”
“Omnipotence means God can do whatever He damn well pleases and that there is no power outside of God that can compel him to act or limit him. He is completely free, even free from the need to choose; He simply acts out of his intrinsic character. His Character is good, love, and holiness, and it is his perogative to act unconditionally upon each of these. Truly omnipotence is in the service of His love. Omnipotence is the power of Love!”
“I love communion because it is at the table that revelation happens, we invite Jesus in but he becomes the host.”
“Love not holiness is God’s primary attribute from which all the others flow.”
These are some words that describe where I am at in my Christian faith journey. “Post-liberal, Open Theist, Anabaptist, Restorationist, Anarchist, Pacifist, Existentialist, Inclusivist, Christus Victor & Substitution Theorist, Trinitarian, Evangelical, Eccumenical, Emerging, Orthodox, Biblical, Charismatic, Missional, Green, Arminain, Amillineal.”
“I am more convinced than ever that we need to bless women to become preachers and teachers in the church… It is right and good for us to encourage our sisters in using their gifts to prophesy, preach, teach and lead.”
“If Calvin’s understanding of double predestination is true, then it seems that God is a racist.”
“God has no cause and is infinitely and simply one. He is therefore fully involved in all of his actions. Even so, God is infinite unlike anything else and likewise without any measurement, too big for all the heavens to contain, yet able to enter our realm even in flesh. He He in contrast to other gods, is alive, the ultimate reality of life itself and the One who is active among all creation.”
“The church should refuse to let anyone else feed our hungry or clothe our naked.”
“Community is messy business, but like a Jackson Pollock painting, there is beauty in the mess.”
Again I dont intend to try an substantiate any of these right now, but I am working on papers dealing with a few of these statements. If you have a comment or complaint feel free to express it. Now for me its back to the grind of papers and projects.
This entry was posted on September 24, 2009 at 9:45 am and is filed under Christianity, Emergent church, God, Jesus, Kingdom of God, Peace, Religion, abortion, bible, church, faith, government, homosexuality, life, pacifism, war. You can subscribe via RSS 2.0 feed to this post's comments.
Tags: Atheism, Communion, Eucharist, Gay Marriage, Protestant Reformation, Social Ethics, Women's Roles in Church
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