Beyond “Hopeful Universalism” – Bradley Jersak
In recent years, I find myself sitting comfortably with friends who would self-identify as “hopeful universalists.” It’s not a label I am comfortable with, for a number of reasons, though I’m certainly fine with the spirit of their intent. The following clarifies why I resist the label for myself: 1. Until recently, I called my […]
Re-teach Me to Pray – Renewing a Prayer Life – Brad Jersak
UNCAPPING THE ANCIENT WELLS And Isaac dug again the wells of water which they had dug in the days of Abraham his father. —Genesis 26:18 A wonderful young friend asked me for suggestions in how to revitalize his prayer life. He inquired about the ways he might engage spontaneous, contemplative, and liturgical prayer, and about […]
Tough Minds & Tender Hearts – Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. sermon: “Tough minds & tender hearts” https://tedmallory.wordpress.com/2017/01/15/a-tough-mind-and-a-tender-heart/ From 1959, this sermon still has great relevance. While he addresses those who believe whatever is in the print media, that issue is now compounded by those who believe choice bits in social media. This context is given from the King Institute: King elaborates on a […]
“Postcards from Babylon: the Church in American Exile” review by Brad Jersak
“Postcards from Babylon: the Church in American Exile” Documentary review by Brad Jersak “Come home. You’re better than this.” —Daniel Dietrich, Hymn for the 81% You had me at Brian Zahnd. When the first seven days of 2021 had already trumped (sic) the insanity of 2020, and Christian nationalism had erupted in all manner of […]
The Pastor: a crisis – Introduction by Paul Young
Georgia Lee – Psalm 22: The God of Advent Peace – Cherith Fee Nordling
Psalm 22 My God, my God why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night but I find no rest. In you our ancestors put our trust, they trusted […]
Is there a Second Coming when Jesus will suddenly show up? Bradley Jersak
Question: Is there a second coming when Jesus will suddenly show up? In our class on the Gospel of John, Fr. John Behr says the Nicene creed has been misinterpreted: That “Who will come again” actually is better translated “again coming.” He explained, “His coming in the name of the Lord is what we see […]
Near-Death Experiences: A Conversation with Bradley Jersak
Reader How should we receive such numerous stories of people who claimed to have near-death experiences and experienced heaven/hell, especially since the impact upon their audiences cannot be overlooked? These stories have been used to inspire people to follow Jesus either because of the riches of heaven or the utter fear of a horrendous hell. […]
When Hate Is Strong and Mocks the Song …
Crushed Three years ago (Dec. 2017) was the last time I saw my granddaughter in person. On that day, it was clear to me I would never see her again. I didn’t know that eventually, my son and his estranged wife (who had custody of their child) would eventually become very […]
Let Go: The Essence of Forgiveness
QUESTION What is the essence of forgiveness? If I don’t forgive, will I ‘lose my salvation’? RESPONSE The word ‘forgive’ literally means ‘let go.’ If someone has offended me or sinned against me in some way: 1. Forgiving is NOT saying, I’m okay – I might still be suffering. 2. Forgiving is NOT saying, you’re okay […]