CWR Blog
Christianity Without The Religion BLOG hosted by Brad Jersak.
Quote for the Day
Reflections Along the Jesus Way
January 17, 2026 - Quote for the Day:
“The kingdom of heaven is not a physical kingdom. It is not defined by physical dimensions, boundaries and limitations. But the kingdom is real – it is certainly not pretend or imaginary. The spiritual dimension is far more authentic than the physical – of eternal significance rather than passing temporal limitations. By God’s grace, we live in the kingdom of heaven now. The kingdom now is limited, in the sense that it does not exercise universal domain or rule. Not everyone is part of the kingdom of God ...
I Want to See!
Jesus clearly stated that healing the blind, both spiritually and physically, was central to his mission. Yet, Jesus’ followers rebuked a blind man who wanted to ask Jesus to give him his sight!
https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/RCWR338.mp3
CWR Video – Everlasting Love
In this CWR Video, Greg and Brad reflect on God's everlasting love, and how that everlasting love changes everything.
https://vimeo.com/1079567727
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Christ-Centered Contentment
Our contentment in Christ, does not come from affluence, achievements or acquisitions. Join Greg and study the secret of Christ-centered contentment.
https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/RCWR337.mp3
“Panta” – All things & all people – Bradley Jersak
A Note on "ALL" in NT Greek Translation:
"Panta”
Throughout the New Testament, the Evangelists and Apostles frequently describe God’s reconciliation project using the Greek word panta, which literally means ‘all.’ Sometimes that all includes everything and everyone, and at other times, it refers to ‘all’ within a specific group. When and where we broaden or narrow the sense of ‘all’ is determined contextually, but even then, debate is common. “All means all” is something you might hear me saying, but it begs the question, “All what?” All ...
God’s Great Love In Christ
God's favor - the Bible calls it grace - is not compensation for our good deeds. We are made alive in Christ by his amazing grace, by his great love, not by our works, but for his works!
https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/RCWR336.mp3
The Pearl of Great Value – by Greg Albrecht
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.—Matthew 13:45-46
We turn our attention to one of Jesus' parables about the kingdom of heaven. In the Authorized King James Version the parable is called The Pearl of Great Price. As I normally use the New International Version, we'll refer to it by the title given to it in that translation, The Pearl of Great Value.
Here's the widely accepted Christian interpretation of ...
Reflections Along the Jesus Way
January 14, 2026 - Quote for the Day:
“If you once belonged to and were enslaved and in bondage to Christ-less religion, then you know what a spiritual cattle drive is like. Lots of cattle. A broad ‘road’ indeed. When you are being driven in either a physical or spiritual cattle drive, the view in front of you is not that glorious or glamorous, is it? All cattle drives look and smell the same.”
Originally published in:
Letters to My Friends
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Overcoming Bitterness and Resentment
Unresolved bitterness, whether toward another human being, dead or alive, or toward ourselves, can cause us to live in dark places of depression and anxiety. Join Greg in discussing how bitterness and resentment can be overcome.
https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/RCWR335.mp3
A Journey – Not a Guided Tour – by Greg Albrecht
On or just before January 1, fresh calendars are opened with almost as much anticipation as unwrapping a Christmas present. We page through a new calendar, admiring its twelve uncluttered months and 365 unplanned days. And we experience the liberation of setting aside the year that has just ended, with all of the days and events we are all too happy to put behind us. The New Year is a time of a new beginning and a fresh start. The fresh start of a New Year reminds me of the wisdom Paul shares with us about our ongoing life in Christ, on the Jesus Way: Forgetting what ...
You Are Welcome!
Many who have been "vangelized" by evangelical Christians remember their experiences as being filled with judgment and condemnation. Since all are welcomed by Jesus, who took the "welcome mat" off the front porch?
https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/RCWR334.mp3
Tender Mercies: Transformed by Tenderness – by Ruth A. Tucker
Bless the Lord who crowns you with tender mercies (Psalm 103, NKJV).
In the 1740s John Woolman, living in the colony of New Jersey, was getting his start in life as a tailor and clerk, writing wills as a sideline. He was in his early twenties; his outlook was hopeful. The Civil War was still a hundred and twenty years in the future. The fractious battles over slavery were yet to be fought. But in that tiny tailor’s shop, as buttons were being sewn on suits so were seeds being sown that would tear apart the fabric of the Union—seeds that would also prepare the ...
Reflections Along the Jesus Way
January 12, 2026 - Quote for the Day:
“We have a need to let go of our past and to forgive real and imagined hurts caused by individuals who were involved, whether directly or indirectly. There’s no delete button to erase it all – but there is a way to heal it all. There’s a way to forgive others, but the solution does not ultimately come from human resources. There is a way to deal with the hurts and pains that live in our memories. The answer is found in God’s love… the resolution of our hurts and pains has no easy answer. In fact, forgiv...
CWR Video – Waking Up on Third Base – by Greg Albrecht
https://player.vimeo.com/video/77715973
Short video by Greg Albrecht. Offers book Spiritual Soup vol. 1
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Speaking of “Sin” – Bradley Jersak
Sins - Or should we say "errors"?
Ed Dunn, my colleague at Christianity Without the Religion asked me, “Why do Christians talk about sin so much?” We decided to work the question as more than a rhetorical statement, and we came up with a few responses.
First, Christians talk about sin because it’s a dominant theme in the New Testament—specifically, “the forgiveness of sin.” The gospel includes the strange but important phrase, “Jesus died for your sins.” That will warrant further exploration, but for now, Ed and I concluded that transactional or ...
Reflections Along the Jesus Way
January 10, 2026 - Quote for the Day:
“When you and I hear the word ‘peace’ defined as ‘the absence of conflict,’ that goes about as far as our minds can hope. The peace most humans hope for is when bloodshed, crime and war are no more.
Apart from God, when we draw a mental picture of peace, our limited human perspective transports us to the serenity experienced when armies are not fighting, and no doubt, that kind of peace is part of God’s kingdom”
They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.&n...
Faith In Another Dimension
Do you have "enough" faith? How can you acquire "more" faith? "How much" faith will it take before God is happy with you?
Meditation – by Ed Dunn
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things (Philippians 4:8).
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).
There is an incredible peace to be found in the ...
When No One Else Understands – Pray!
During times when no one else seems to care, during those time of intense pain, in Christ we can experience a new dimension of prayer and our relationship with God and other humans.
https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/RCWR330.mp3
Q&R: “Hate” my parents? Literally? – Bradley Jersak
Question:
Probably the hardest text for me to understand is Jesus’ teaching on the cost of discipleship, written out in Luke 14:25-35. Since Jesus is the front-runner of peace and love, how do we understand his call to ‘hate father and mother’?
It seems to be about clinging on to material things or even relationships over his gospel of peace. Miseo is the word used and most commonly translated as ”to hate” or “detest.” I have read an explanation that the context here may indicate “love less” as in comparison language.
I can understand that, ...
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