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
Tag: featured
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Lesson 3: The Joseph Story
Read MORE: Lesson 3: The Joseph StoryWe usually pass off the Joseph story as a clever children’s tale. In truth, as written in Genesis 37-50, it is a rather sophisticated attempt to understand God‘s participation in our world. We still ask the questions it addresses. It…
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Lesson 2: Creation 2 – What We Are To Do
Read MORE: Lesson 2: Creation 2 – What We Are To DoAnother feature of the Genesis and Johannine creation stories that is usually overlooked is the importance of words. God creates by speaking. The good order of creation has all living beings in conversation. The corruption of the order is illustrated…
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Lesson 1: Creation 1 — Who We Are
Read MORE: Lesson 1: Creation 1 — Who We AreThis new series will be based on fundamental Bible stories. In a time of severely divided Christianity, turning to the Bible helps us remember who we are, what we believe, and what we are to do. That’s especially important when…
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Lesson 9: Might Makes Right
Read MORE: Lesson 9: Might Makes RightDavid Brooks recently wrote, “Donald Trump believes in one thing. He believes might makes right.” That provides a good wrap-up for this series. I come away thinking most Americans seem to believe only one thing. Might makes right. Over 40…
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Lesson 8: Power Over Nature
Read MORE: Lesson 8: Power Over NaturePower is simply the ability to do something. I decided to examine it to better understand our society’s acceptance of an abusive form. Public figures profess absolute power, enabling them to do whatever they want, even to define what is…
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Lesson 7: Living under Oppressive Power
Read MORE: Lesson 7: Living under Oppressive PowerMost of the Bible is addressed to people who lived under bad government. With very few exceptions, the kings and emperors who had power used it to take advantage of them. In response, biblical ethics offered practical advice about coping…
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Lesson 6: Efficiency
Read MORE: Lesson 6: EfficiencyOne of the first things that MAGA did was establish a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). That sounds like a good thing. We want to use power with little or no waste. However, my ears go up whenever I hear…
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Lesson 5: America First
Read MORE: Lesson 5: America FirstRecently, I again heard politicians using “America First” to express their positions. At first, I assumed it referred to buying American goods to support American businesses. We should be willing to pay more so our friends have jobs. However, eventually…
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Lesson 4: Fear and Power
Read MORE: Lesson 4: Fear and PowerThe nation is reeling after just three weeks of the Trump administration brandishing naked power. Many citizens are trying to figure out how we got to this place as if knowing might contribute to overcoming the violence. When I ask…
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Lesson 3: Cooperation and Sharing
Read MORE: Lesson 3: Cooperation and Sharing”Love your neighbor” could be rephrased “Masters, act as servants.” If we have power over others, we are to use it to care for them, not to take advantage of them. Thinking about this brought to mind two ethical observations…
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.