What is the purpose of your faith community? Why do you go to church? What is the point? Some people attend church because they are seeking the right rules to follow. This is the genius and the paradox of Protestant Christianity in America. There is a new denomination for every unusual belief you might have.… Continue reading Affinity, not Dogma
Things Jesus Never Said
What does it mean to be a Christian? You get baptized, you take communion and you follow Jesus. I’m OK if you don’t want to do the first two as long as you do the “follow Jesus,” one. But following Jesus is really the hard one. It’s so hard that a lot of Christians would… Continue reading Things Jesus Never Said
Graffiti in the Forest
The direction of our faith expressed through the Bible comes to us through very human hands. Imagine walking through a wintery Colorado forest with a friend. Just as the wind rustles through the branches of the pines, dusting you with sparkling bits of snow, you feel God’s presence and hear God’s voice more clearly in… Continue reading Graffiti in the Forest
Are You Saved?
Has another Christian — probably an Evangelical — ever asked you, “are you saved?” Sometimes conversing with other Christians makes me more uncomfortable than any other kind of human interaction. Invariably the small differences in our theology seem large in the context of our mutual love of Jesus. At some point in talking with an… Continue reading Are You Saved?
Giving Gifts Cards to God
What do you get for a God who has everything? Every year in June, I turn another year older. I tell my wife Susan to let our family and friends know that I don’t want any party or gifts. She lovingly reminds me that it’s not my birthright to command how or what the people… Continue reading Giving Gifts Cards to God
Does Prayer “Work?”
A close family member who was raised Christian, but is now an atheist, told me once over dinner, “it’s funny, but even though I don’t think it does anything, I still pray when I’m worried or stressed.” I see no paradox. I’ve prayed daily since I was a child, yet there are many times I’ve… Continue reading Does Prayer “Work?”
There Are So Many Religions, They Must All Be Wrong
Earlier this year, comedian and outspoken atheist Ricky Gervais debated “Late Show” host Stephen Colbert on matters of religion. Watch these two smart dudes here. When Colbert asserted his belief in the triune God, Gervais replied: