DRIVING THEOLOGY

When someone you respect does or says something that seems out of character for them, how do you react? Do you lose respect for them or give them the benefit of the doubt?

If you could find something that if widely accepted and adapted would make the world a better place, would you keep it to yourself? Not me. But seriously, though this may not save the world, it would make it more livable and more peaceful. That's not bad, right?

This post might come across as ani-semitic, but I sure hope it doesn't. I am not a Christian Zionist, in other words, I have my doubts that the fate of the world depends largely on what takes place in Palestine and the Israeli State. Not that those events don't effect the rest of the world. I just don't think they are cosmically relevant. I think that the way we treat our neighbors is of much grea...

This episode begins with way more than you need to know about my current diet and exercise regimen, and ends with a follow up to last weeks podcast. Enjoy!

Here, I muddle my way to, I think, a good place in this episode. Here, I rehash some old ideas while perhapas approaching them in a new way.

In this episode, I go back to when it all started (in some ways...) and the guy who challenged me to enter into the inner life-Stephen Farmer.

There is now a cult of America nationalists in the US, and Trump is their chosen one. No, this is not true of all DJT followers, but it is true for many. But is the adoration of the Evangelical church doing Trump any good, or is it playing right in to his narcissism?

First, sorry for the quality of the audio. I had some mishaps and had to boost the volume and do some cutting using editing software. AND I'm not great yet at recording in my new car which has a lot of bass. I'll work on it. Thanks for your patience. In this episode, I tackle the topic of Christian Nationalism, especially the current US version.

There is one thing that can drag me into politics. Just one thing.

Violence. We worship it in the US. We glorify war. We idolize our troops. We believe at the core of our beings that violence is a legitimate way to solve our and the world's problems. And Trump nearly died from an assassin's bullet-because we have failed to live out Christs example of violence absorption.

For a while now, authority has been under unprecedented attack; churches are losing members at an alarming rate, children do not respect their elders, police and other officials are under attack. What's going on here? Is there a common thread connecting these and other events together. I'm not sure. But I do have one idea...

Well, here comes another election, and here comes the US voters, ready to once again prove that they have no idea what makes a good leader and have absolutely zero ability to encourage those with the skills to lead a country effectively to pursue political office. Ugh.

Does your Bible illuminate Christ, or does Christ illuminate your Bible? This distinction is actually pretty huge. I explore this and more in this episode.

A bit of a history of my relationship with the sport of basketball and the Boston Celtics, as well as the current NBA Season and the Celtic's recent crowning as NBA champions for 2004. The Celtics had one of their best seasons and post seasons to date. And yet, sports media outside of Boston refused to believe in the Celtic's record, numbers, and as they continued to rack up win after win, and eve...

Historically, the greater a leaders authority, the harder their fall from grace. Pastors lately are falling like flies. But, are we partly to blame for their demise? Is there something that we do which causes their great falls?

What you think of hell just might be the biggest thing wrong with Christianity in the world. If it is inaccurate, it is a big loss for the world. If it's right, then God is not as good as we thought.

Is sports, especially competitive sports, compatible with the Christian life, with following Jesus? My thoughts are yes and no. It depends. Yes, sports is a subject mentioned in the Bible, but what does that really mean? So is genocide, slavery, adultery, etc.

This is a bit of a review of a book by Jonathan Haidt, "The Anxious Generation". Though this is a new topic for me, I feel this is too important and needs to be out there, regardless of my lack of a grasp on the topic. We are raising anxious kids, and we need to figure out why kids today are more anxious than ever, and how to help them.

In this episode, I explore my relationship with "church", the journey I have been on since birth, and how I have come to know Christ (such as it is). I also explore my relationship with American Christianity, which has been quite a rocky road.

Mixing in a few book reviews by Nehisi Coates and Brian Zahnd , I explore the Cross of Christ, it's symbology and meaning, especially what it has come to mean to me.

Sometimes, you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes, life loses its meaning. Sometimes, all hope is lost. But then, the dawn comes, the flower blooms, and beauty reveals itself. If you are in a dark place, the only hope I can give you is that I have been there too. It does end. In this life or the next.

Jesus is the final revelation of God, the ultimate expression of the Father, the perfect image of the invisible God. And to know him is to find rest. If you haven't found rest, perhaps you haven't found him. Not all of him. Not the truest version of him. And don't we all want that, to know who God is and to rest in him?

This is one of the most rambling journeys I've ever taken. Not sure why. Maybe the weather? Too little sleep? Too much sleep? Don't know, but I really went off on a tangent in this one. More than usual. But, I think I actually brought it together at the end. You be the judge.

What is the history of christian participation in politics? What has been the outcome of the current involvement with christians in politics? Are politics and christianity compatible? Why or why not?

We are all unique(If we are all unique, are we unique at all?!). Each of us has a set of personality traits that make us who who we are. They are also signposts of where we have been and what we have experienced. How does this translate spiritually?