God’s Plan or Free Will

I have, for some time, believed that the idea that God has a specific, perfect, unalterable plan for each one of us, as well as for humanity, is not true.…

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Public Bigotry

Johnny Bench made a “joke” about Jews being cheap. Arizona Congressman Eli Crane referred to African Americans as “colored”. Rosie O’Donnell recently denied the Holocaust but said it would be…

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On Greed and Fairness

I have been in the church for a long time, so my view of equity may be too far afield for the secular world and our capitalist culture, but if…

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War Pigs

The song “War Pigs” by Black Sabbath is, I think, not just one of the greatest and most enduring rock songs ever, it is also one of the best Christian…

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Disability

Last week I had the privilege of being able to sit in on Safe Berks camp for junior high students. The leadership was great, and the kids were very engaged;…

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Pelagius

Pelagius was right. First, though; who was he? He was a theologian and contemporary of St. Augustine in the 4th and 5th centuries. He argued against what he believed was…

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Change (again?)

I saw this clever meme the other day that said this: Most new pastors come out of Seminary thinking they are going to change the world but almost get fired…

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Misquoting Jesus

Stained glass art depicting the crusade

In a polite conversation recently, a woman said to her boyfriend, “Do as I say, not as I do.” Trying to be funny, I said, “There you go, misquoting Jesus.”…

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Affirmative Action

Healing Hand art by Nancy Rourke

I have not read the Supreme Court decision, so this thought is purely personal and, I hope, theological (which is, for me, also personal). I think it is disingenuous for…

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Banning Books

And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell

I sometimes feel like America is the Twilight Zone and I am Rod Serling. For example: The children’s book “And Tango Makes Three” (2005), is one of the most banned…

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