Unforced Rhythms of Grace

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” 

- Jesus, (Matthew 11:28-30, MSG)

Learn the Difference

by Benjamin L. Corey

"... the cross is not about the appeasement of a monster god."

"... let’s be clear, the cross is not about the appeasement of a monster god. The cross is about the revelation of a merciful God. At the cross we discover a God who would rather die than kill his enemies. The cross is where God in Christ absorbs sin and recycles it into forgiveness." 

- Brian Zahnd

Read more: How Does “Dying For Our Sins” Work?

The OT is Not On Par With Jesus

"The Old Testament is not on par with Jesus. The Bible is not a flat text where every passage carries the same weight. This is why Jesus says, “You have heard it said, but I say to you…” 

... 

Wars of conquest, violent retribution, the institution of slavery, and women held as property are all “Biblical.” But when placed in the light of Tabor they must be renounced." 

- Brian Zahnd

Read more: Jesus Is What God Has To Say

Greater Love

by David Hayward

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."

- Jesus, (John 15:13 ESV)

Sola Scriptura and Following the Lord

"What would Sola Scriptura have meant in the early church? Nothing. 

… 

What would Sola Scriptura have meant from 250AD to 1600AD? Nothing. The Scriptures were kept from the “laity” and were exclusively in the hands of the “clergy.” 

… 

From an empirical standpoint, Sola Scriptura has had little force or usefulness. Since 1500 church leaders and “lay” people — even many cults — have exclaimed “Sola Scriptura.” Yet, what have we ended up with? There are 25,000 denominations, a gezillion dogmatic and contradictory interpretations of the Bible, and endless strife about which group is closest to the truth. All of this and more has happened while everyone involved has cried out, “We practice Sola Scriptura — we go by the Bible alone — if the Bible says something, that settles it for us.” It is clear that at the end of the day Sola Scriptura falls from the lips of many, but really accomplishes nothing practical for the ongoing problems facing the body of Christ." 

- Jon Zens

Read more: Sola Scriptura: Does Following the Bible Equal Following The Lord?

"I like your Christ..."

“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

- Gandhi

Christianity and Torture

You Cannot Be Christian and Support Torture, by Brian Zahnd

Ferguson

This has to be one of the most potent posts from Frank Viola: 

A Jesus Response to the Race Problem & Ferguson

What if Jesus Meant All That Stuff?

Quote by Shane Claiborne, from this article.


"The more I have read the Bible and studied the life of Jesus, the more I have become convinced that Christianity spreads best not through force but through fascination." 

- Shane Claiborne

Gimme a break!

"For some reason, the most vocal Christians among us never mention the Beatitudes (Matthew 5). But, often, with tears in their eyes, they demand that the Ten Commandments be posted in public buildings. And of course, that's Moses, not Jesus. I haven't heard one of them demand that the Sermon on the Mount, the Beatitudes, be posted anywhere. 'Blessed are the merciful' in courtroom? 'Blessed are the peacemakers' in the Pentagon? Give me a break!" 

- Kurt Vonnegut, A Man without a Country.

Was Jesus Advocating Cannibalism?

"Just because Jesus talked about yeast, that in a literal sense is used to make bread, doesn’t mean he was talking literally about bread. Just because Jesus talked about being put outside with gnashing of teeth doesn’t mean he was talking about some kind of eternal torture. Just because Jesus talked about eating his flesh doesn’t mean he is talking about cannibalism.

We have to look into his words for the deeper, more divine message he shared if we want to actually understand what he is really talking about. That requires both humility and time, because it will only be revealed to us in God’s timing, not ours. Sometimes, that means walking for months, years or even decades without a full arsenal of definite answers. This is also not a bad thing."

This is an excerpt from Mick Mooney's post - The Problem With Interpreting Jesus' Words Literally

"Jesus's habit of "eating" with sinners and people on the margins of society cannot be explained as an act of condescension, much less a patronizing method of saving sinners. It was the act of a man who appeared to have no regard for the canons of honor or shame. Worse still, it was the act of a man who had no regard for Israel's favored nation status with God. Israel's "chosen race" syndrome was supported by the purity laws separating the "clean" people from the "unclean". The manner of Jesus's ministry was therefore, a formidable scandal."

- Robert Brinsmead

Jesus is the Reason for the Season?

Dear Christians, 

I love your zeal especially during the Christmas season, but please note that I was not born on the 25th of December. So please do not be worried about putting me in a celebration that is totally unconnected to me. If you have doubts, just google "Origin of Christmas". 

It's your call though. You are accepted no matter what! 

If you really, really want to express your love for me during this season, love that atheist who is upset with you. Surprise him or her with your kindness, with no strings attached. 

No pressure though; I love you no matter what, just like I love your neighbor who might be celebrating Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or simply holidays. ;)

Love,

Jesus

Pray without Discriminating

"There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." - Galatians 3:28 NIV

If we are praying regarding the crisis (which has abated for the time being) in the Middle East between Israel and the Palestinians, let's pray without discrimination, for everyone - the Jews, the Palestinians, the victims and the perpetrators. 

"God so loved the world…" That 'world' includes the "other" side, the side we see as the "enemy", depending of who we side with (or not) in this crisis.

Jesus said, "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,.."

We may love our labels, the traditions, the Bible, our interpretations and all the associated religious activities. All those things may identity us with a religion or a denomination, but love is the only thing by which people will see that we are the disciples of Jesus. 

"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” - Jesus (John 13:35 ESV).

Married to Jesus and Sleeping with Moses

"Preaching a "mixed" (grace & law) message is a form of spiritual adultery . . . . married to Jesus, and sleeping with Moses."

- Ted Nelson

So have I become a Christian Universalist?

So have I become a "Christian Universalist" now that I have shared my thoughts on 'Raising Hell'? 

Do I believe that Jesus' redemptive work is superior to Adam's offense?

Do I believe unconditional love truly is unconditional, and not a sleazy sales pitch to get people to join a religious club?

Do I believe that it is idiotic to believe that God (who is Love) would deep-fry a created being endlessly for an offense that someone else committed? 

YES to all the three. 

There is absolutely nothing wrong with people gathering under a common view, but I will not align myself under any label, because, intentionally or not, labels divide and there is this risk of being tunnel-visioned. In Christ, we are ONE, no matter what particular flavor we favor and/or whether we agree or not. And God is bigger than any labels. 

Related posts:

The Cosmic Turtle

Love is...

Hell is a Mistranslation
Message from the gods

Paul has a chit-chat with Calvin and Arminius

My Thoughts on Raising Hell

Jesus and Osama

A powerful post. And an equally powerful painting.

Check this post by Greg Boyd.

Seek and ye shall find an Interpretation

Jesus did not say, "Seek and ye shall find the popular interpretation that fits your social, cultural or moral conditioning."

He simply said, "Seek and ye shall find."

WWJD?

Once upon a time, a mother made her son a wristband. On it was written: WWJD. This, of course stood for: What Would Jesus Do?’ She instructed her son to look at the wristband before making decisions on how to live his Christian life...

Read the rest of the story at

WWJD: “What Would Jesus Do?” Do You Really Want To Know?, by Mick Mooney.