Then God said, “Let us make humanity in our image to resemble us so that they may take charge of the fish of the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the earth, and all the crawling things on earth.” God created humanity in God’s own image, in the divine image God created them,[b] male and female God created them. God blessed them and said ...
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On Monday, the New York Times ran an article about a town in Florida that is home to a federal prison that had to be temporarily relocated in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael. The people in the town are really suffering from the effects of the government shut-down. The article ends with this quote from a disgruntled Trump supporter: “I voted for him, and he’s the one who’s doing this,” she ...
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The statement “I’m a Christian” has come to mean some very different things to different people. I fall into the progressive, inclusive Christianity camp. The one that works for justice and serves the poor and welcomes the stranger. I’m with those who believe that God’s love and grace are gifted to us, and we live our lives in grateful response to that love, rather than with those who feel that ...
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Dumplin' is one of the latest original movies to hit Netflix. I watched it this weekend, and here are just five of the reasons I love it. Note: all spoilers are thematic. No actual plot points revealed. It centers around the wisdom of Dolly Parton...and its soundtrack is chock full of her music. Dolly and I practice the same kind of Christianity--one that leans hard on faith and loving people (including yourself). When ...
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A lot of our theology (what we believe about God) comes more from literature, pop culture and popular opinion than we'd like to admit. We all fall in to the trap of bad theology from time to time. Here's a handy six-step guide to check yourself when you think you've allowed less-than-good theology to creep in to your life. Want more Doubting Believer? Check out our Doubting Believer Member Community.
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Who is our neighbor? (Luke 10:25-37) I think Jesus makes it pretty clear that everyone is our neighbor. Somewhere in the history of the church of Jesus Christ (And I haven’t been able to put my finger on exactly when and where it happened) The church lost track of that notion. Somewhere along the way The church became the people who told women what they could and couldn’t do in the church—and in life, who told people who ...
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One of my theological pet peeves is the phrase, God’s Got This. It seems to be used on everything from a pop quiz to a cancer diagnosis to an upcoming job interview to relationship issues. In response to troubles, you get: don’t worry, God’s got this. I see it crop upon FB and email threads and even refrigerator magnets. Depressed? Cheer up! God’s got this. Lonely? Get out there! God’s got this. Money ...
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At the heart of my call to ministry is the desire to combat the use of the Bible as a weapon. Christians are not called to tear other people down--governments, temples and systems of oppressions--yes...but never people. We can't possibly attempt to live into our call to follow Jesus Christ and to become more Christ-like if we insist on tearing, holding and/or keeping others down. "Love one another as I ...
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