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: Practical Christianity
Read MORE: Lesson 1: Practical ChristianityObviously, the first task is to define what I mean by Practical Christianity. Not so obviously, the second is to point out this is a very controversial subject. When I speak of Practical Christianity I simply mean what faith offers…
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Lesson 2: Overcoming Suffering
Read MORE: Lesson 2: Overcoming SufferingThe course will look at some of the components of Practical Christianity, sometimes described as the art of Christian living. It will begin examining how Christianity offers a way to overcome suffering, whether this is from natural disaster, social injustice,…
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Lesson 3: Cause of Suffering
Read MORE: Lesson 3: Cause of SufferingAfter writing, “Suffering is inevitable for all, but some suffer more, and some feel the pains of life more deeply than others, or so it often appears,” Concordia asked, “Is there a point or purpose to any kind of suffering?…
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Lesson 4: Three Christian Ways
Read MORE: Lesson 4: Three Christian WaysI have been using 2000 year-old biblical language to lay our groundwork. Bob reminds us we often must translate this into contemporary concepts by noting that science teaches us natural diasters are not “evil.” Lupe suggests more helpful biblical language…
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Lesson 5: Hope
Read MORE: Lesson 5: HopeHope, the third theological virtue, is based on God’s promise to make all right in the future. I am suggesting it has a practical side-affect that is helpful in overcoming personal suffering. Hope gives us confidence that God is working…
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Lesson 6: Return Good for Evil
Read MORE: Lesson 6: Return Good for EvilI have been suggesting that following the way of Christ has practical applications in our everyday life. We are now at the tough one. If God heals by forgiving sin rather than damning us all to hell, then we overcome…
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Lesson 7: Community
Read MORE: Lesson 7: CommunityThe third practical way Christianity offers for overcoming suffering and evil is a loving, sharing community. Lupe observed suffering can be made “less terrifying when families envelop each other in love.” Certainly the New Testament sees this extending beyond the…
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Lesson 8: Nurturing Community
Read MORE: Lesson 8: Nurturing CommunityLet’s resume examining Practical Christianity, that part of the Christian life that does not necessarily involve the supernatural. In my ministry, I found many people came to church or sent their children, not because they wanted to worship, but because…
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Lesson 9: Church is Not a Family of Families
Read MORE: Lesson 9: Church is Not a Family of FamiliesLast week I used the model of family for Church. After all Jesus did speak of God as father and others as our brothers and sisters. And the early Church did live in a lifestyle we associate with the family.…
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Lesson 10: A Nourishing Community
Read MORE: Lesson 10: A Nourishing CommunityI began my ministry at a time when the liturgical renewal was urging congregations to celebrate Communion every week. Coincidental with this was the house church movement in which small groups began sharing meals and and conversation. Sometimes this was…
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.