DRIVING THEOLOGY

The third week of Advent, at least in my house, we talk about Love; Hope, Peace, then, Love. Next week will be Joy. Understanding the Cross of Christ, goes a long way towards comprehending Christmas.

Happy Advent! This is the season where believers everywhere begin to prepare their minds and hearts for Christmas, spiritually speaking. I did not grow up observing Advent, but have found it a great way to insert Christ into what has become a very materialistic season! This week covers the first two weeks of advent, Hope and Peace. Enjoy!

How much do you really know about other religions? In this episode*, Pat joins me as we spend some time with our new friend, Taher, a young man from the UK who practices the Islamic faith. Some of what he has to say about his beliefs may surprise you! *This episode is a bit longer than usual, as there are three of us talking.

Do you put on a happy face for the holidays? Are we serving anyone by asking them to put their true feelings on hold so that we can spend a happy Thanksgiving or Christmas? After all, what are we thankful for?

How much does it help in understanding a book to know something about the author? Does knowing Jesus help to understand his creation? The Bible?

A Halloween addition here, exploring how people who suddenly become less useful to those in power, suddenly are labeled outlaws.

A bit of a nature vs nurture argument about the nature of what Jesus expects of us and of himself.

If Jesus said on the cross, "It is finished.", What did he mean by that? So many things seem so NOT finished. So, what did he mean and in what sense has he completed his mission?

Thoughts on the Universal Christ, Richard Rohr, mysticism, and the ageing process. A bit random, but here it is!

Another surprise podcast attack on Pat! Pat joins me in a conversation about the universal nature of Christ, on our way to the river to guide a raft tour.

CS Lewis believed that Jesus was not only the fulfillment of Judaism, but also the fulfillment of pagan religions as well. Could he be on to something?

If you believe that the world was made through Jesus, where in the world can you find him?

I always missed the deeper meaning on this one. How about you? A short talk on one of Jesus' parables.

Some thoughts on this new phase of life we are entering into, as our youngest is off to high school (boarding school), and her sister is off, too. Why do we hold on so tightly? What are we afraid of losing? How can we learn to let go better?

When is the last time you considered the life of Nicodemus? Really? Well that's too long!

The doctrine of Hell, especially ECT, or eternal conscious torment, has been taking a hit lately, especially on social media. Is it warranted? Do we have good reasons to doubt what we've been taught? What do you think happens to the wicked when they die? Tortured forever? Annihilated? Rehabilitated? Reconciled? What you believe affects the way you live your life and how you treat people. It is imp...

A meandering stream-of-consciousness monologues on various topics, not my best work, but here it is, none the less.

This one will stretch you. It has stretched me! How ready are you to open your mind to extra Biblical writings, extra Christian writings, in order to see evidence that God might have been involving himself in places you never dreamed of? Hold on to your seats!

How willing are you to consider the ideas and opinions of others, especially when they are contrary to your beliefs? Are you willing to hold your own conclusions more lightly in order to understand someone else's point of view?

When you feel more disconnected than usual, when Jesus seems distant, when you are in a spiritual funk, what remedy does John prescribe for us? *I actually say that this scripture here is not from John, but it is. 1 John2:15-17.

What do you do when someone you've vilified does something good? Is Trump capable of doing something good? And how perceptive are you? Are you a good judge of character? How would you know?

Applying a little symmetrical logic to a theological concept, good friend of mine, David Mills, asks me if I might brainstorm this idea. Well, the ball's in your court, David! How about a follow up response or at least some comments?

What drives many churches? Common theology? Common mission? A superstar pastor/preacher? Would you be surprised to find that the same thing that drives professional sports drives most churches? Should we be happy about that?

What are the marks of Jesus on your life or in the church? Of the many possibilities, have you noticed that you or the Jesus followers you surround yourself with have the uncanny ability to be reconciled back to each other after disagreements arise? If not, what does that mean?

What does Paul refer to when he refers to "...sin living in you", when he talks about us doing things that we don't want to do, things that we know we shouldn't do? Here is my take on it.