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: Compassion
Read MORE: Lesson 1: CompassionA lot of people have talked to me about the violence series. They are concerned about the acceptance of physical force and inflammatory language in our present society. At the same time, there was some uneasiness about seeing nonviolence as…
-
Lesson 2: Compassion in the Bible
Read MORE: Lesson 2: Compassion in the BibleThe language scholars report there are a number of Hebrew words that can be translated as compassion, and beyond that, these same words are also expressed differently depending on the context. Often mercy is used, but also graciousness, healing, steadfast…
-
Lesson 3: Transformation
Read MORE: Lesson 3: TransformationArguments about Christian characteristics in the New Testament follow a common pattern. Although they discuss particular specifics, they regard a transformed life as the essential factor. Paul is very explicit about this in Romans 12: “Do not be conformed to…
-
Lesson 4: Longing for Oneness
Read MORE: Lesson 4: Longing for OnenessBarbara inspired me to read John Phillip Newell, who writes about the need to reconnect with compassion in Rebirthing God, Christianity’s Struggle for New Beginnings. He echoes many of my friend’s concerns that we have a fossilized church that talks…
-
Lesson 5: Forgiveness
Read MORE: Lesson 5: ForgivenessI am still amazed by what I learn when writing these studies. It’s hard to believe how much I missed in 86 years! For instance, last week, while pondering the Buddhist image of compassion as longing for oneness, it became…
-
Lesson 6: Compassion for the Economically Oppressed
Read MORE: Lesson 6: Compassion for the Economically OppressedIt was time to start applying the study to our situation, so I tried to imagine what would move Jesus to compassion in our time. After the obvious needs of the sick, injured, and grieving, those neglected and hurt by…
-
Lesson 7: Compassion for the Religiously Abused
Read MORE: Lesson 7: Compassion for the Religiously AbusedEarly on I realized some people thought I could do no wrong because I was ordained. Of course, others disrespected me for the same reason. Still, I realized I could manipulate this first group if I wanted to. Three of…
-
Lesson 8: Compassion as Guiding Light in Change
Read MORE: Lesson 8: Compassion as Guiding Light in ChangeI have been considering how compassion might be a guiding light for overcoming the deep divisions in our church and society. Underlying this quest is the conviction that we are in one of the major periods of change in human…
-
Lesson 9: Compassion as Willingness to Suffer
Read MORE: Lesson 9: Compassion as Willingness to SufferRight from the beginning, I regarded compassion as more than being emotional about something. I thought it could be a guiding light in overcoming our divisions because it involves empathy that considers what the other person or group thinks. It…
-
Lesson10: Compassion in the Atonement
Read MORE: Lesson10: Compassion in the AtonementThe most difficult theological task is explaining the atonement. There have been many theories, but none are completely satisfying in our day. I was surprised how frequently I turned to compassion in the past few months when trying to understand…
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.