March 17, 2024

Tinder: The Prophetic Stance These are some of my thoughts about this week’s portion of The Political Meaning of Christianity, Chapter Two: Prophet Hope, The Prophetic Stance Defined and The Individual and the Prophetic Hope (pp. 68-89). I fear that some of you who began this reading and discussion project have given up. I wish you wouldn’t. Yes, Tinder’s writing can be challenging, but reading him is worth the challenge. I never read something I already know, understand, or agree... Read more

March 14, 2024

Belief in Satan without God? A notable feature of contemporary American culture (I won’t speak about any other culture) is a common and growing belief in Satan without any corresponding belief in God. How can that be? The rational mind spins. Popular literature and TV and film show it. Yes, yes, I know. Someone will say “But that’s all imaginary.” True, but why is this meme so prevalent in popular culture? I suppose it may be that people don’t actually... Read more

March 12, 2024

Christian Zionism Gone Crazy Recently I met a Christian man, an evangelical, who believes the State of Israel ought to commit genocide against Palestinians in “Greater Israel.” He did not specify the precise boundaries of “Greater Israel,” but for him it definitely includes the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. According to him, and I’m sure he didn’t come up with this idea on his own, Joshua and the Israelites of old did not obey or complete the alleged mandate... Read more

March 10, 2024

The Political Meaning of Christianity: Chapter Two: Prophetic Hope: Community and Society and The Ideal of the Just Society: pp. 53-68 In the part of Chapter Two entitled “Community and Society” Tinder pushes a distinction, if not a conflict, between “community” and “society.” Community, he argues, is compatible with the exalted individual while society is not. Societies are necessary because of our fallenness, but they debase individuals. Community enhances individual dignity. He also argues or clarifies that his exalted individual... Read more

March 7, 2024

Generational Curses? Recently I have been asked about generational curses. Do I believe in them? Before answering I will define my own understanding of “generational curse” which may not be the same as everyone’s. A generational curse is a particular sin passed down from one generation to another within a family. The sin may be committed or it may be a strong temptation to sin. In either case, though, it is powerful and requires supernatural deliverance. The background belief is... Read more

March 6, 2024

Is an Embryo a Baby? According to news reports, the Supreme Court of the State of Alabama has declared that embryos are babies and thus worthy of legal protection from harm. Does that make sense or is that an over reaction to “pro-choice” attempts to affirm every woman’s right to an abortion? Is it taking “pro-life” too far? Let’s get into it. When does human life begin? Okay, at least at conception. But is embryonic human life a human being... Read more

March 4, 2024

The Political Meaning of Christianity: Chapter One, cont’d Here, today, I will take up Chapter One, “The Fallen Individual” and “The Man-god versus the God-man” (pp. 35-52). If you are reading the book with me, feel free to comment (following the guidelines below). If you are not reading the book with me, feel free to ask a question. Why are we (I don’t know how many) reading and discussing this book? Because some of us believe Christianity has more than... Read more

March 2, 2024

What I Mean By “White Privilege” Conversations about “white privilege” often bog down because of imprecise definitions. One common misunderstanding is that it means that every Caucasian person is automatically privileged socially and economically simply by being white. Some would argue that is the case. I think, however, of my own childhood in poverty. We were not economically privileged. Some would argue we were and just didn’t experience it as we could have. I wonder about that. So what is... Read more

March 1, 2024

What Does “Supernatural” Mean? I am often asked what I mean by “supernatural” and many people, including many Christians, reject the term and concept—including many Christians. I understand why. There are two reasons. First, the word itself has come to be identified in the popular mind with the occult. Second, the word itself seems to reflect a dualism between nature and God or nature and spirits. I object to these misunderstandings of “supernatural.” But I have sometimes had trouble explaining... Read more

February 28, 2024

Avoid Bullies; Speak Out about Them Bullies are everywhere, so it seems. Even in American political life. Being a bully, someone who verbally, if not physically, assaults a weaker person for no good reason, should exclude someone from public life. People who vote for bullies are likely to be bullies themselves. Bullying is one of the banes of human existence. Bullies should be cancelled. Let me offer two examples you may not be aware of. You should be aware of... Read more


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