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
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Lesson 1: Luther’s Theology of the Cross
Read MORE: Lesson 1: Luther’s Theology of the CrossThe pandemic has brought clarity to the current situation in Christianity. As it rages on, it has become apparent there are two incompatible camps not necessarily identified with denominational boundaries. One of these consistently speaks of fighting a battle against…
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Lesson 2: Freedom in the Theology of the Cross
Read MORE: Lesson 2: Freedom in the Theology of the CrossFreedom has become a big issue during the pandemic. Many politicians claim refusing to wear masks is your patriotic duty for it opposes authoritarian mandates. They call on their followers to choose to live as free people. Some water down their…
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Lesson 3: Uncertainty in a Theology of the Cross
Read MORE: Lesson 3: Uncertainty in a Theology of the CrossA late friend who was a world class theologian used to insist that relevance is not a theological category. He had studied under Karl Barth and believed theology begins and ends with the Word of God, not the human situation.…
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Lesson 4: Suffering in a Theology of the Cross
Read MORE: Lesson 4: Suffering in a Theology of the CrossThe other day my wife and I were on our daily walk on the college campus when a man without a mask approached us. He stuck out because wearing one is compulsory in that area. As he passed, he said…
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Lesson 5: The Future in the Theology of the Cross
Read MORE: Lesson 5: The Future in the Theology of the CrossOur modern technological society has a problem with the future. All it has to offer is more and better technology that supposedly will enable us to do whatever we desire. That usually is attached to having more wealth. The goal…
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Lesson 6: Truth in a Theology of the Cross
Read MORE: Lesson 6: Truth in a Theology of the CrossWhen I graduated from seminary, the question was whether there was a place for religion in the new age of science. We thought we were entering a period when we could make all of our decisions based on facts, not…
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Lesson 7: Prophecy in a Theology of the Cross
Read MORE: Lesson 7: Prophecy in a Theology of the CrossTwo flawed pictures of the crucifixion are blunting the church’s message in our time. The first presents Jesus as a sacrifice enabling humanity to escape a fallen creation. Anyone who is willing to believe this and accept the deal escapes…
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Lesson 8: God in the Theology of the Cross
Read MORE: Lesson 8: God in the Theology of the CrossMany theologians maintained it was impossible to have faith in God after the Nazi genocide of six million Jews. How could God allow the German nation to slaughter his chosen people? Ivan, in The Brothers Karamazov, claims you don’t have…
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Lesson 9: God in a Theology of Glory
Read MORE: Lesson 9: God in a Theology of GloryEarly in my ministry, the Lutheran Church asked me to investigate the growing Pentecostal movement. With very little effort, I found myself quickly making friends and participating in groups at every level. When I shared my final report, many of…
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Lesson 10: Two Christianities
Read MORE: Lesson 10: Two ChristianitiesAbout ten weeks ago, I started using a theology of the cross in an attempt to understand the deep divisions in our church and society. I consistently found myself examining two different kinds of Christianity whose characteristics could surprisingly also…
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.