July 24, 2012 Caught in a Trap Esther 6 - 10
Scripture. So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself? Esther 6:6
Observations. So it goes for those who seek to aggrandize themselves. They get caught in the traps they would set for others and burn in jealousy when another is elevated.
Application. Ve Humble. Seek the lowest place at the table. Do good work not for worldly reward.
Prayer. God, you know me and my weakness for wanting to appear successful at all times. Be my peace, Jesus. Amen.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
an emerging, vital mainline approach
"As a result, a sort of neo-liberal Christianity has quietly taken root across the old Protestant denominations--a form of faith that cares for one's neighbor, the common good, and fosters equality, but is, at the same time, a transformative personal faith that is warm, experiential, generous, and thoughtful. This new expression of Christianity maintains the historic liberal passion for serving others but embraces Jesus' injunction that a vibrant love for God is the basis for a meaningful life. These Christians link spirituality with social justice as a path of peace and biblical faith."
Diana Butler Bass challenges the 20th century idea that conservative churches are growing and liberal churches are dying. Now that conservative churches (and the RC) are losing members in droves, too, she asks what mainline (or liberal) churches have learned with a few more decade of decline. One observation is that contrary to expectation based on the dominant narrative, liberal churches have a higher degree of "spiritual vitality" on surveys. If I could pull the loaded word out of Bass's observation, I believe she describes a faith experience that sounds like something many young people could embrace.
"a form of faith that cares for one's neighbor, the common good, and fosters equality, but is, at the same time, a transformative personal faith that is warm, experiential, generous, and thoughtful. That... maintains the ... passion for serving others but embraces Jesus' injunction that a vibrant love for God is the basis for a meaningful life. (That) link(s) spirituality with social justice as a path of peace and biblical faith."
Can Christianity Be Saved? A Response to Ross Douthat
Posted: 07/15/2012
Diana Butler Bass challenges the 20th century idea that conservative churches are growing and liberal churches are dying. Now that conservative churches (and the RC) are losing members in droves, too, she asks what mainline (or liberal) churches have learned with a few more decade of decline. One observation is that contrary to expectation based on the dominant narrative, liberal churches have a higher degree of "spiritual vitality" on surveys. If I could pull the loaded word out of Bass's observation, I believe she describes a faith experience that sounds like something many young people could embrace.
"a form of faith that cares for one's neighbor, the common good, and fosters equality, but is, at the same time, a transformative personal faith that is warm, experiential, generous, and thoughtful. That... maintains the ... passion for serving others but embraces Jesus' injunction that a vibrant love for God is the basis for a meaningful life. (That) link(s) spirituality with social justice as a path of peace and biblical faith."
Can Christianity Be Saved? A Response to Ross Douthat
Posted: 07/15/2012
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