Podcast: “I Approve this Message”
November 4, 2016
Category: politics
Political Fervor & Christian Apathy
October 20, 2016
This is a timely repost from about 2011 when MainStreet was just getting launched. It was during another local election season where people were passionately campaigning for and against a school referendum. You can sense my urgency and deep burden for our local community. Regardless how we vote on November 8, may we vote Jesus leader of our lives … More Political Fervor & Christian Apathy
2016 Election – Food for Thought
October 11, 2016
For those who are struggling to support either candidate in this upcoming election, Ed Stetzer has a great series of posts at The Exchange blog at Christianity Today. This one below provides interesting food for thought. Note: I have no idea who this 3rd party candidate is, and am not hereby supporting him. But I resonate … More 2016 Election – Food for Thought
Which Government Do You Serve?
September 26, 2016
Originally posted on Kingdom Harbor:
I’m reposting this article as we begin our series on the Sermon on the Mount. Every time I go back to this Kingdom Manifesto, I’m reminded by how easily Christians today boil Christianity down to private piety, overlooking the fact that Jesus calls his followers, the church, to be a…
A.D. Miniseries Commentary – Resisting the Way of Violence
April 28, 2015
One dynamic that Jesus films help bring out that often gets missed in common Christian teaching is how real and popular the “zealot” movement was in Jesus’ day. These were religious “freedom fighters” who wanted to take up arms against Rome and try to incite insurrection and political unrest in the Holy Land. Jesus rejected … More A.D. Miniseries Commentary – Resisting the Way of Violence
Cruciform Justice 1: Introduction
August 10, 2014
How long, O LORD, must I call for help before you listen, before you save us from violence? (Habakkuk 1:2-4) He came closer to the city, and when he saw it, he wept over it, saying, “If you only knew today what is needed for peace! But now you cannot see it! (Luke 19:41-42) There … More Cruciform Justice 1: Introduction
Jesus, the Constitution & the Founding Fathers
July 4, 2014
Have you seen this recent piece of art making the rounds? It’s called “One Nation Under God.” As you can see, Jesus is front and center holding the U.S. Constitution which, according to this artist, was “inspired by God.” Greg Boyd took this artist’s message to task on his blog, saying among other things: “Artistically … More Jesus, the Constitution & the Founding Fathers
Crucified Justice 2: A Universal Yearning
December 8, 2013
It seems hardly necessary to make an argument for the universally experienced suffering and injustice prevalent in the world. If pain really is God’s “megaphone to rouse a deaf world”, as C. S. Lewis argues, then the message is deafeningly clear and God might consider turning the volume down a bit. When it comes to pain … More Crucified Justice 2: A Universal Yearning
Election Day Communion
September 26, 2012
Check out http://www.electiondaycommunion.com On November 6, 2012, Election Day, we will exercise our right to choose. Some of us will choose to vote for Barack Obama. Some of us will choose to vote for Mitt Romney. Some of us will choose to vote for another candidate. Some of us will choose not to vote. During … More Election Day Communion
FATHER’S SONG (8): David Sings the National Anthem
April 13, 2012
One divine melody permeates the grand narrative of redemptive history. In this series, Jeremy is guiding us through the biblical narrative–from Genesis to Revelation–with “ears to hear” the penetrating God-beat keeping everything in sync. The winner of the second season of the ancient Near Eastern version of American Idol was the electrifying, rags-to-riches shepherd boy … More FATHER’S SONG (8): David Sings the National Anthem
EPHESIANS 4: The Greatest Cause on Earth (1:18-23)
November 7, 2011
This is a timely repost from 2011 when MainStreet was just getting launched. It was during a local election season where people were passionately campaigning for and against a school referendum. You sense my urgency and deep burden for this community. -JB “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may … More EPHESIANS 4: The Greatest Cause on Earth (1:18-23)
Will Willimon on 9/11
September 10, 2011
From CT: On 9/11 I thought, For the most powerful, militarized nation in the world also to think of itself as an innocent victim is deadly. It was a rare prophetic moment for me, considering Presidents Bush and Obama have spent billions asking the military to rectify the crime of a small band of lawless individuals, destroying a … More Will Willimon on 9/11
QUOTABLES: Scot McKnight on Non-Violence
August 21, 2011
“I find an increasing number of young Christians are willing to say “enough is enough” when it comes to militarism, to military budgets, and to embracing a peace orientation toward how Christians are to live in a world of international conflicts. Ronald Sider (Christ and Violence) and John Howard Yoder (The Politics of Jesus ) have … More QUOTABLES: Scot McKnight on Non-Violence
The Great Recovery
July 9, 2011
Politics and the Pulpit (Jesus Creed)
June 30, 2011
What do you think of Dr. Scot McKnight’s perspective on the place of politics in the pulpit from Jesus Creed? It is commonly asserted that we should keep politics out of the pulpit, but what most people mean by that is that we shouldn’t endorse a specific candidate — and who’s kidding whom on that … More Politics and the Pulpit (Jesus Creed)
Ben Franklin’s God in a So-called Christian America
December 7, 2010
As I type this, I’m listening to nationally syndicated conservative talk show host Dennis Prager. I’ve been a regular listener of his for about 10 years. He’s one of my favorite conservatives, and I’ve always enjoyed his show for it’s focus on clarifying the Left-Right political divide, and the character he shows in his interactions … More Ben Franklin’s God in a So-called Christian America
Church or State: Where do our hopes & passions lie?
October 20, 2010
Scot McKnight at Jesus Creed is raising that touchy but crucial issue of national idolatry. I love America, democracy and the freedoms we enjoy in this great nation. I listen to my share of political talk and love keeping up on the latest debates. BUT….I also see many Christians who are far more interested and … More Church or State: Where do our hopes & passions lie?
The Voice Influencing American Evangelicals (by Scot McKnight)
September 27, 2010
Scot McKnight has a great post and challenge to the American church — especially conservative Evangelicals — to avoid the politicization of the church. He makes the claim that the most influential voice upon Evangelicals today is not Jerry Falwell, Billy Graham or James Dobson, as in past decades, but FoxNews. Specifically he names Sean … More The Voice Influencing American Evangelicals (by Scot McKnight)
Which Government Do You Serve?
June 9, 2010
The political climate in America this week is boiling hot on the heals of Sunday night’s signing of the Obamacare proposal. There is an apocalyptic like mood on the conservative right, with talk show hosts prognosticating on the eventual collapse of America as we know it. Today, I walked to the gas station for a … More Which Government Do You Serve?
Sex & Politics: Taboo Topics Galore
June 2, 2010
Let’s bring religion, sex, and politics to the dinner table! Jesus and the Bible have a lot to say about them. Tread carefully and expect disagreements. FAITH & POLITICS ARCHIVE SEX & GOD ARCHIVE
Going to Extremes: Tea Party Falsehoods
May 23, 2010
We human beings tend by some law of nature toward extremes — especially in religion and politics. It’s hard to remain open to both sides and hold to a centrist position in the political shouting match played out in American media outlets. I have made balance and rigorous engagement with both — or, better, “all” … More Going to Extremes: Tea Party Falsehoods
Sketching Obama
March 18, 2010
I found another great political insight at Jesus Creed Blog today. Sorry for so much political banter at DI lately. I hope my heart for a more balanced, nuanced and open-minded debate, and less polarization and stone-throwing is coming through in these posts. -Jeremy David Brooks gets it when it comes to how people are … More Sketching Obama
Resident Aliens 2
March 17, 2010
Chapter 2 of “Resident Aliens: Life in the Christian Colony” by Hauerwas & Willimon engages the issue of the church’s engagement with the powers-that-be. In typical Hauerwasian fashion, they suggest the church focus it’s energy on being the church — a distinct, alien tribe that remains faithful to it’s own life shaped by in the … More Resident Aliens 2
Polarized & Perplexed About Helping the Poor
March 16, 2010
UPDATE: Albert Mohler has a fair critique of the situation from a conservative angle worth reading HERE. Can’t we just get along? Well, probably not. But can’t we just at least try to listen to and respect those on the other side of socio-political issues? I’ve been posting lately on the political question sparked by Glenn … More Polarized & Perplexed About Helping the Poor
Witherington’s Response to Glenn Beck
March 13, 2010
Recently Glenn Beck warned Christians to be suspicious of churches that promote “social justice.” His exact words on his March 2 show were: “I beg you, look for the words ‘social justice’ or ‘economic justice’ on your church Web site. If you find it, run as fast as you can. Social justice and economic justice, … More Witherington’s Response to Glenn Beck
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