wonderful thoughts from the Pope, intellectually coherent and practically relevant and doable IMO
Weekly lessons in theology and public life • Since 2011
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Lesson 8: From Just War to Civilization of Love: The Long Fight Against Power
Read MORE: Lesson 8: From Just War to Civilization of Love: The Long Fight Against PowerIt has taken me a while to understand why the term “civilization of love” caught my attention. After reading far more encyclicals than I intended, I realize it is because the popes are attempting to answer a major challenge of…
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Lesson 5: Building a Moral Society (Pope Benedict XVI)
Read MORE: Lesson 5: Building a Moral Society (Pope Benedict XVI)Ever since the 1960s, the popes have called on audiences, especially youth, to build a civilization of love. At the time, many Christians grew uncomfortable with American society. Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson warned evangelicals that secular society was trying…
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Lesson 3: Pope Paul VI and the Civilization of Love
Read MORE: Lesson 3: Pope Paul VI and the Civilization of LovePope Paul VI introduced the phrase “civilization of love” in a 1970 Pentecost address. His attempt to implement Vatican II’s changes must have been successful, because Pope John Paul indicates it was the preferred term for the church’s social doctrines…
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Lesson 2: Vatican II’s Gaudium et Spes
Read MORE: Lesson 2: Vatican II’s Gaudium et SpesIt’s pretty clear that the concept of the “civilization of love” grew out of the Popes’ desire to answer the call of Gaudium et Spes. That document was groundbreaking in the historic shift that took place at Vatican II. It challenged the…
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Lesson 3: Forgiveness in the Bible Story
Read MORE: Lesson 3: Forgiveness in the Bible StoryHaving looked at the prominent place of forgiveness in Jesus’ message, we should open up our study to the entire Bible. It, of course, deals with the relationship between God and humanity and, consequently, the way humans relate to each…
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Lesson 2: Jesus on Forgiveness
Read MORE: Lesson 2: Jesus on ForgivenessJesus’ ministry highlighted forgiveness. The Old Testament law and prophets certainly recognized God’s mercy and lovingkindness at various points, but Jesus went much further. He proclaimed God as Father far more than as king. Teachings like the Prodigal Son pictured…
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Lesson 1: The Need for Forgiveness
Read MORE: Lesson 1: The Need for ForgivenessOur society has pretty much lost the value of forgiveness. Well, people do forgive one another, but it is an act between individuals that signifies regret for something they have done. Saying you are sorry is only a small part…
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Lesson 16: Church and Politics (Update 3)
Read MORE: Lesson 16: Church and Politics (Update 3)Another impactful change in just the last 5 years is the ability to hide one’s identity. That is evident in the present use of masks in public life. We got used to seeing people with their faces covered during COVID.…
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Lesson 15: Church and Politics (Update 2)
Read MORE: Lesson 15: Church and Politics (Update 2)Last week, I argued that one reason it is difficult for Christians to respond when events around us cry out for prophecy is that the wall between church and state has been severely damaged. Let me analyze a rather crude…
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Lesson 14: Church and Politics (Update 1)
Read MORE: Lesson 14: Church and Politics (Update 1)In the past, I wrote a series on religion and politics in which I spoke of the wall between church and state being porous in ways that benefit both sides. Not being established, the church can support the government when…
Recent Comments
I absolutely love these ideas, especially paying attention to beauty and reducing your needs.
Fritz a wonderful lesson – and esp. reading has a flow I found encompassing. If only …….. yes we can…