The Art of Paying Attention
Paying attention is about hope. It's about witnessing both the shadow and the light that pierces it. It's about choosing, deliberately and repeatedly, where to focus our gaze in a world designed to distract us.
Anthony Parrott
Salvation in Jericho: Unexpected Connections in the Stories of Zacchaeus and Rahab
I love to notice subtle connections between seemingly unrelated stories. This morning, I was reflecting on a fascinating thread that weaves together the stories of two "sinners" in Jericho: Zacchaeus the tax collector and Rahab the sex worker.
Let's start with Luke's Gospel, where
Empty Hands and Childlike Faith
We've all heard sermons attempting to explain what Jesus really meant by "childlike faith." They can focus on children's innocence, their wide-eyed wonder, or their unquestioning trust. Or they can the exact opposite direction, expounding on children's constant question-asking, skepticism, and need
Top 8 - Week 48 of 2024
Can you believe we used to rank our Top 8 Friends on MySpace? Instead of ranking friends, I'm sharing the Top 8 things I read, watched, or otherwise enjoyed and appreciated this week. Think of it as my media gratitude list shared with you.
1 This peek into
Credo: On Scripture
I've been slowly working on some "credos" for myself, brief statements of belief about particular topics. None of them are set in concrete and I continue to be open to growth and evolution about my beliefs. But here is my current work-in-progress on what I believe
Misused Scripture: Habakkuk 1:13 God's Eyes Are Not Too Pure to Look Upon You
Wrestling with God teaches us that such questions don't reflect a lack of faith—they are expressions of faith
The Origins of YHWH and the Truth of Christianity
A thoughtful question was posed about how progressive Christians like myself reconcile the historical development of YHWH from ancient Near Eastern religious traditions with our Christian faith. Here's my perspective:
I'm completely comfortable with the scholarly consensus that the worship of YHWH emerged within the broader
Understanding Christian Universalism: God's Love Never Gives Up
God's grace cannot be overcome by evil forever. Evil simply isn't that powerful or inexhaustible. Christian Universalism simply takes this hope to its logical conclusion, that God's love will ultimately win every heart.
Navigating Relationships With Those Who Voted for Harm
How do you engage with someone who doesn't share your basic views on human dignity?
Has Evangelical Discipleship Actually Been Wildly Successful?
The system is perfectly tuned to get the results it's getting.