An exceeding number of evangelical Christians have long crusaded against Evolution Theory solely because it discredits Abrahamic teaching. But is this really the most appropriate doctrinal or theological battleground? It occurs to me today—and I hope to explore the idea in a future post—that Evolution Theory is a greater doctrinal threat to the premise of salvation than it is to scriptural inerrancy. Show more ›
A wasting, wretched, dehumanized shell
I saw a man this evening, obviously a bottomed-out addict, his head scarred from beatings and sutures, sores on his face and back from disease, his frame wasting, the skin of his face and neck dark from flagging health, barely cognizant of his place in line, receiving his insulin and pills, and my heart broke for the shell of humanity that I saw. My initial disdain at his willful wretchedness and the bother of his presence melted into heartache for the sadness of his condition and the dehumanizing acts which he most certainly performed to maintain his chemical fugue state. I hung my head in sorrow and I wondered if a tear might fall. That’s probably how Jesus dug so deeply within himself to invest in such profound prayer and fasting so as to acquire the heart of God and the curative, restorative power that flowed therefrom.
Inshallah, Mashallah, and Alhamdulillah
These three words capture the entirety of worshiping God Most High. I could conclude this post here and it would be sufficient for decades of meditation, but since when do I not discuss a matter at length?Show more ›
Demanding a god that thinks like a human
How often do we hear the critique, I cannot believe in a god that allows so much suffering to exist in the world. This statement actually expresses the thought that I can only believe in a god that thinks the way that I think (i.e. because I would end suffering if I were God). Show more ›
Revealing God
God has spent all of human history revealing more and more of himself to humanity. It is time to recognize those cycles and endeavors for what they were and for what we were. The metaphors and symbolisms were appropriate for the stage of human civilization and human cognition. But we are in a different stage today and it is time to recognize the past revelations for what they were and it is time to look beyond those metaphors and conceive of something new today.Show more ›
Not Not Muslim
Muslim originally meant (and still means) “one who submits to God.” That sounds like a pretty awesome designation. I desire to be wholly submitted to God. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.
Muslim later acquired its second meaning of “one who practices Islam.” As I pointed out previously, Islam means “peace through submission to God.” I desire that peace.
So I am Muslim, but not Muslim, or maybe just not not Muslim.
Waiting on God
Nearly twenty years ago, John Waller recorded “While I’m Waiting” which heralds patience. Among other verses, Isaiah 40:31 advises that “they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” In similar form, Psalm 40:1-3 testifies of patience and surrender: “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.” Jesus said these same things, and I am reminded again of last year’s posts, Surrendered Suffering Is Worship and Inshallah, Mashallah, and Alhamdulillah.