Being inclusive does not (should not!) cultivate a spirit of exclusivity of others. Sounds simple, right? Apparently some think it’s not so easy. So, let me break it down. I recently had a meeting about a group I am a part of. We are an inclusive group rooted in PCUSA theology where we uplift all…
Category: theology
Please, don’t let humanity suck.
Last time I wrote, I was personally feeling the sting from our US Presidential election results. I felt the sting from the people I loved who seemed to think that those of us hurting were overreacting and that we should get over it. I felt the sting of knowing that I should have done more…
equal: (adjective) the same in number, amount, degree, rank, or quality; not changing: the same for each person; origin: middle english; 14th century
One of the first things to pop up on my computer screen this morning was this article on USA’s Women Soccer Players who have filed a suit alleging unequal and discriminatory pay. Why did they do this? Simply, because they are women and they are being treated as lesser than. My wife and I were…
attention: (noun) the act or power of carefully thinking about, listening to, or watching someone or something; notice, interest, awareness; special care or treatment; origin: 14th century, middle english
I think I’m convinced: not everyone needs Lent. I hear what you’re saying, “you have to have Lent to get to Easter.” Well, sure you do. But not really. Because no matter what, Easter is coming, whether you like it or not. (And who doesn’t like Easter? Are you some sort of Easter-hating jerk?). Jesus…
koine: (noun) the greek language commonly spoken and written in eastern Mediterranean countries in the Hellenistic and Roman periods; origin: first known use, 1901
Last night, I found myself sitting up late into the night attempting to understand the Koine Greek translations that I had done when I was in the midst of my seminary education. Thinking back on my Hebrew and Greek classes, I remember them fondly. In fact, in my mind, I was quite good at them….
nighttime: (noun) the time of darkness between one day and the next; the time of day when no light form the sun can be seen; origin: 14th century
Sleep is something that has pervaded me for much of my life. Not by my choice, mind you. To know what it feels like to have no sleep when your body is desperately begging for it but refuses to give it to you is to know what it feels like to have your body betray…
penny: (noun) a coin or a unit of money equal to 1/100 of a dollar; origin: before 12th century, middle english from old english
At yesterday’s Ash Wednesday service, in an old train station with twinkling lights, I got a penny and ashes. Did you know that the cosmos and everything that exists, all matter, all of it, at one point, could fit onto the eye of President Lincoln on a penny? I didn’t. But it did. And it…
progressive: (adjective) moving forward; happening or developing gradually over a period of time; using or interested in new modern ideas; origin: first known use of progressive: circa 1612
For the last three days I have been attending the Progressive Youth Ministry Conference held at Fourth Presbyterian Church in downtown Chicago, IL. As the inaugural event there were highs and lows. First off, let me be clear, no conference is perfect. What is important about a conference is that it helps bring about change…
limbo: (noun) a place or state of restraint or confinement; a place or state of neglect or oblivion; an intermediate or transitional place or state; a state of uncertainty; origin: 14th century; middle english, derived from medieval latin
Yesterday an article came out by Carol Howard Merritt on the Christian Century website and made its way around the Facebook inter webs. Last week, I discovered I failed another Bible Trivia Content Exam. What happened you ask? Oh, I blanked. I blanked big time. I mean, I was incapable of telling the story of…
Dying Dead Sea
This post was originally begun on January 12, while we were still in Jerusalem, just outside of the Old City. After working on a draft I decided against publishing any longer until I had returned to the States. You’ll find out why later. I have left part of it in its original format and added…
Outside the Old City Walls
In case you were wondering, here I am, in Jerusalem. Just steps outside of the Old City walls at the Damascus gate. I’m here with a group of McCormick students for a January-term travel seminar led by a couple of my Old Testament and Hebrew instructors, Ted and Paula. We are meant to keep a…
thetravellingtheologian 