CWR Blog
Christianity Without The Religion BLOG hosted by Brad Jersak.
Two Brothers
Whether it’s the two brothers of Luke 15 or the two brothers of A River Runs Through It “Two Brothers” will help you consider God’s infinite love, and the special relationship he offers to you.
“Let the Peace of Christ reign…” Brad Jersak
"Let the peace of Christ reign in your hearts" - Colossians 3:15
This morning I'm feeling peaceful, despite the usual congenital temptation to pick up lurking worries. I've had some outside help... I've been enjoying a coffee on my deck, sitting with my baby grandson (who's singing to me sweetly), and feeding peanuts to some adolescent Steller's Jay visitors. I've also been editing an article titled "The Peace of Thanksgiving" by my friend and colleague Ed Dunn, well in advance of our November issue of Plain Truth magazine.
Ed is reflecting on the ...
The Lost and the Found
The gospel often turns our expectations upside down — so that those who think they are religious found — who think they have it made — may actually be lost. And those who think that God has given up on them — there just might be hope.
Lost – by Stuart Segall
Recently, standing in my front yard along the calm, quiet street that I live on, there he came trotting down the road trying to project a sense of purpose like he knew where he was going. The look shouted… “where am I, but I don’t dare let on that I don’t’ know.”
However, being the higher intelligent form of life, I knew he was only kidding himself and that he was lost. You see, he had four legs and I had two. He was a young mix of Rottweiler and Lab with a nice collar on and plenty of ID tags dangling.
If I could only reach him! First, I pursued on ...
God Or Country?
Which kingdom truly encourages and enables us to love our neighbors as ourselves — kingdoms of our world or the kingdom of heaven?
Always Obey Governing Authorities?
Since Christ-followers hold dual citizenship, what happens when civil authorities seem to cross the line, imposing or demanding un-Christ like action?
Q&R with Greg Albrecht – “The End Times” – Is Jesus coming back?
Question:
My question is about what many call “the end times.” They (many preachers, teachers and churches) say that the upheaval, suffering, disease and warfare in our world is a sign that the Second Coming of Jesus is near. They say his coming is closer than it ever has been. It seems to me that whether all of this means his Second Coming is near, either way, Jesus will return. What do you think?
Response:
Of course, it is not breaking news to say that Jesus’ Second Coming is closer than it ever has been before. I appreciate that many say ...
The Freedom to Forgive – by Ed Dunn
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17, NIV).
Freedom is what you do with what’s been done to you – Jean Paul Sartre
Freedom lies in being bold – Robert Frost
I’ve been thinking about the words Freedom and Forgiveness a lot of late, considering how the two words may both work together and support one another. You see, two close friends of mine have recently had a falling out. These two close friends have had a falling out over a common source of strong opinion and emotional tension these ...
“If God…?” – Brad Jersak
“If God…?”
I had a wonderful conversation about God.
I suppose that’s already an “iffy” thing to say these days. High risk in some circles and forbidden in polite company. But this exchange was truly special. My conversation partners self-identified across the map—agnostics, pagans, heretics and yes, even a few Christians. Each of us were welcome to express our evolving or devolving faith without any fear of judgment. I heard stories of faith found, abandoned, and adapted. And, however different our convictions, we all shared a humble ...
God-Given Freedom – by Greg Albrecht
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.
But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus ...
CWR Video – What Are The Politics of Jesus? – by Richard Rohr
Short video by Richard Rohr
Whose Side Is God On?
Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, "Are you for us or for our enemies?" "Neither," he replied, "but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come." Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, "What message does my Lord have for his servant?"— Joshua 5:13-14
Have you ever noticed how many individual Christians and incorporated religious institutions assume that God is exclusively on their side? Many seem to ...
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