Dan Wilkinson’s recent review of the book The Covenants of the Prophet Muhammad with the Christians of the World provoked, in its commons section, exchanges about Islam that proved, shall we say, quite spirited.… [Read more…] about Islam demystified
Pastor Jack of Omak takes no flack
The town of Omak, Washington is here:… [Read more…] about Pastor Jack of Omak takes no flack
Killing us with kindness
Last night I was hanging out at the corner of faith and sexuality. There I witnessed a violent mugging. The perpetrator pretended to befriend his victims before suddenly attacking them with a crowbar. He smiled his toothy grin, and assured his victims of his love for them—and then left them bloodied, broken and writhing on the ground. It was monstrous.… [Read more…] about Killing us with kindness
The Beatitude Attitude: 9 Tips for Managing Your Family Stress Over the Holidays
This is the time of year when I start getting emails from people looking for tips on how to remain in a healthy emotional space whilst visiting with family over the holidays. So this is also the time of year that I republish the piece below. It’s a way of looking at each of the Beatitudes delivered by Jesus in his famous Sermon on the Mount, and finding there wisdom that anyone can use to make visiting their family over the holidays something they can not only endure, but great enjoy.… [Read more…] about The Beatitude Attitude: 9 Tips for Managing Your Family Stress Over the Holidays
I'm Christian, gay, and too angry to even read the Bible anymore
Got this letter in. My answer follows it:… [Read more…] about I'm Christian, gay, and too angry to even read the Bible anymore
Christians: Would you hang in your house this pro-Islam painting by Muhammad Ali?
In the desert town of Lancaster, California, I once attended a charity’s silent auction, where I was so struck by the fairly large (28 x 24 inches) painting above that I took what for me then was quite a leap, and bid $80.00 on it. Weirdly enough (to me anyway), I was the only bidder. Victory! While paying for it I learned the painting had been done the boxer Muhammad Ali, who had also autographed it. (Click on the image to enlarge it.)… [Read more…] about Christians: Would you hang in your house this pro-Islam painting by Muhammad Ali?
Pastor: "He should have killed you. At least you'd have died a virgin."
I got this letter in:
Hi, John.
I became acquainted with your writing a couple of months ago and love it. I so wish I could travel back in time and hear your voice in my head while I was growing up, instead of the hard-core fundy “you’re going to hell” soundtrack of my early life.… [Read more…] about Pastor: "He should have killed you. At least you'd have died a virgin."
In landmark move, Methodist bishop defies church law and colleagues to marry gay couple
Bobby Prince and Joe Openshaw (above), of Birmingham, Alabama, are getting married on Saturday, October 26. They are members of the United Methodist Church, the second largest Protestant denomination in the United States after the Southern Baptist Convention. Naturally enough, Bobby and Joe wanted to get married before their friends, family, and church family in their church home, Discovery United Methodist Church of Hoover, AL.… [Read more…] about In landmark move, Methodist bishop defies church law and colleagues to marry gay couple
Seven ways Christians fail to be Christian
Since I’m a Christian, I’m not exactly thrilled about writing this. But it wouldn’t be honest not to admit that we Christians too often blow it in these seven ways:… [Read more…] about Seven ways Christians fail to be Christian
Are not the Bible's "laws" on homosexuality unbiblical?
As proof that God condemns homosexuality, anti-gay Christians commonly point to the laws prohibiting homosexuality found in Leviticus.
“But,” comes the counter-argument, “Christians today blithely ignore all the other Levitical laws, such as ‘Don’t eat shellfish,’ ‘Don’t wear mixed fabrics,’ ‘Kill adulterers,’ and so on. And the whole point of Jesus was to establish a new order; that’s why it’s called The New Testament. Paul himself was very clear about saying that following Jesus meant no longer following the Laws of Moses. Therefore it is specious to use Leviticus to condemn gay people.”
“Jesus was willing to let go of things like eating shellfish and wearing mixed fabrics,” rejoin the anti-gay Christians, “because those are ceremonial laws. But Old Testament laws such as the Ten Commandments are moral laws, which Jesus insisted on upholding. And since the Old Testament prohibitions against homosexuality fall into the category of moral law, they are fully supported by Jesus.” To buttress this point, Matthew 5:17-19 is typically utilized:
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.
So let’s think about this.
The first thing to note is that nowhere in the Bible are moral laws distinguished from ceremonial laws. Those are man-made designations. It is up to Christians, in other words, to decide which Biblical injunctions are moral rules that need to be upheld, and… [Read more…] about Are not the Bible's "laws" on homosexuality unbiblical?