Why people should (not) leave the church

The church as an institution is taking a hit these days. It seems that in the hearts and minds of many the only institution that Christ ever established is no longer worth belonging to or even attending. I've written extensively about why many people are exiting the church, you can read about it here and here. You may also want to check out John Pavlovitz's thoughts on the subject.

I understand the hurts and concerns associated with the church. I have been both a parishioner and pastor in my lifetime and have been on both sides of many of the difficulties people describe with this beloved and frustrating institution. I believe that many people no longer have a love for the church because the church in many ways has abandoned the purpose for which it was originally intended.

Jesus and Ferguson

The old sins of racism and hatred continue to raise their heads in America. With many of the details still unknown in the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, dividing lines have been drawn with protests and riots in full throttle. As Christians it is important for us not to deny the fact that these sins do exist and that we are called to be peace makers in the midst of all of this division and strife.

"In America, it is impossible to separate the conflicts concerning race and ethnicity from our national identity."

Finding meaning in the Bible

I'm reading Leonard Sweet's book "Giving Blood, a fresh paradigm for preaching". This particular passage stood out to me;

"Jewish traditions had a way of finding meaning on four levels. The first was the peshat, the literal and simple understanding of Scripture as found in the Mishnah (the oral interpretations of the Torah and Writings). The second was the remez, the more complex typological meaning, represented by the studies of well known rabbis in the Talmud or gemara. The third was the derash, the metaphoric or parabolic meaning and in-dephth exegesis associated with the studies of the midrash. The sod was the fourth and the deepest level of meaning. The most spiritual in nature, it contained the very secrets of Truth itself, requiring intuitive and creative interpretation"

Three ways to respond when God is silent

I am meditating this morning on the writings of the minor prophet Habakkuk. The theme of this small Old Testament book is one that occupies the thoughts of many opponents of Christianity in the world today. It is a problem for those who especially value justice in the world. The problem is expressed by Habakkuk in chapter 1:2 "O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you 'Violence!' and you will not save?"

Why I no longer preach truth (It's not what you think)

I have decided that I will no longer preach truth. But it isn’t what you think. Our society no longer willingly embraces a universal, objective truth, with perhaps the exception that there is no universal truth. The guiding principle – or, dare I say, truth – of this generation is perhaps best described in the words of Charles A. Dana: “Fight for your opinions, but do not believe they contain the whole truth, or the only truth.”

“Fight for your opinions, but do not believe they contain the whole truth, or the only truth.”