So forgiveness pre-requires understanding the mistakes of the past? here hear re this opposing this me-first, America-first, white-first, male-first approach>…
Weekly lessons in theology and public life • Since 2011
-
Lesson 1: Jesus’ Teachings in the Election Campaign
Read MORE: Lesson 1: Jesus’ Teachings in the Election CampaignMany of us have become very upset watching politicians weaponize Christianity as the political debate has become a political war. People claim their party speaks for Christ. Some churches even consecrate a candidate supposedly chosen by God to save our…
-
Lesson 2: Christian Characteristics and the Election
Read MORE: Lesson 2: Christian Characteristics and the ElectionI was surprised at the response to last week’s lesson. I don’t think I ever had so many people write or speak to me about what I posted. Quite frankly, I expected dead silence. Obviously, many share my concerns about…
-
Lesson 3: Christian Political Principles
Read MORE: Lesson 3: Christian Political PrinciplesA traditional Lutheran response might think my contrast between Jesus’ teachings and the way Donald Trump presents himself at his rallies and on social media is unfair. It would see comparing religious and political programs somewhat like comparing apples and…
-
Lesson 4: Christians Gave Us Trump
Read MORE: Lesson 4: Christians Gave Us TrumpLike so many others, I have been concerned with the lying in the election campaign, but perhaps even more so with the terrible exaggeration used to justify the lies. Claiming this is the most important election in American history—or even…
-
Lesson 5: Immigration
Read MORE: Lesson 5: ImmigrationSince day one of his 2016 campaign, Donald Trump has used immigration to play on people’s fears and present himself as the only one who can save them. He blames immigrants for taking our jobs, raping our women, murdering our…
-
Lesson 6: Bonhoeffer
Read MORE: Lesson 6: BonhoefferI had to do some research on Dietrich Bonhoeffer last week. It was very unsettling because it quickly became evident that he was facing very much the same situation we are. True, he opposed Adolf Hitler, but that involved opposing…
-
Lesson 7: Pastoral Letter from Bishop George Lucey
Read MORE: Lesson 7: Pastoral Letter from Bishop George LuceyBelow is a slight abridgment of a pastoral letter sent by Bishop George Lucey to his people in the American National Catholic Church. It provides excellent guidance for us all as we approach the election. “Long ago, I gave these…
-
Lesson 8: What Do We Do Now?
Read MORE: Lesson 8: What Do We Do Now?I waited to write until after the election knowing that the outcome could make a big difference in our life together. Our nation will never be the same again. All morning long, I’ve been hearing from friends, mostly pastors, who…
-
Lesson 9: Project 2025
Read MORE: Lesson 9: Project 2025I’ve received far more responses to this series than any other in 20 years. Almost everyone in the past week believes we must prepare for a very threatening future. Indeed, a good beginning is trying to understand what is going…
-
Lesson 10: People are Policy
Read MORE: Lesson 10: People are PolicyIn the past week, people have been asking why Donald Trump is nominating people who are not capable of running their assigned agencies. One way to understand this is to recognize that Project 2025 concludes by reminding its readers that…
Recent Comments
An extremely timely topic. Thanks, Fritz!
yes we need to forgive our leaders yet make sure they do the right thing – which they aren’t.