Flawed Glass

  I don’t know if this is ethical or even legal, but I’m going to share a blog, complete and unedited, and properly documented, from one of my spiritual inspirational gurus. In that blog, Franciscan priest and contemplative, Father Richard Rohr reinforces a major theme of my book [1] . The theme is that much of what Western Christianity teaches today reflects a much later understanding than is assumed. Specifically, most of what is taught and preached today is closer to Reformation theologians of the 15 th and 16 th centuries (John Calvin, Martin Luther, Huldrych Zwingli, et. al.) than to the Judeo/Christian Scriptures or the earliest Christian writers (generally called the ‘Patristic’ writers.) There are significant differences. Some specific expressions of Western Christianity today reflect an even narrower approach, reinforcing Reformation theology (primarily Calvinism) as a reaction against Enlightenment thinking that emerged in the late 16 th century and flourished in t...

  I understand that truth and evidence are no longer a consistent standard in today’s partisan divide; nevertheless, I refuse to intentionally or consciously use lies, half-truths, inuendo, or implication in sharing my convictions and sincere values. It’s tempting to make assumptions and forego vetting claims from social media and cable news; but I have a couple of dependable friends who call me out when I grow careless. All that being said, here is my honest take on events leading up to and erupting in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Our political process is now based upon narrowly focused obsession rather than overall good. There are basically honest people who base the entire scope of their socio/political and moral foundation on one or two issues while ignoring or even vilifying dozens of other issues that impact people’s lives. Sadly, some of them are so focused on their one or two issues that they are willing to adapt an ends-justifies-the-means ethic: “our side has to win, whateve...

  The longer I study the Judeo/Christian Scriptures the more I become aware how selective American Christians have become, choosing to emphasize some biblical content while ignoring and even denying the validity of other content. I also am discouraged by the way so many Christians more closely align with political agendas than with the teachings and ethics of Jesus of Nazareth, who they claim to follow. … an expert in the law, asked (Jesus) a question to test him.  36 “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”  37 He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ [Deuteronomy 6:5]   38 This is the greatest and first commandment.  39 And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ [Leviticus 19:18]   40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:34-40) [1] Two observations: first, “And a second is like it…” seems clear:...