Category: devotion

Exclusivity Whoever is not against us is for us. Mark 9:40 Arguably, the most egregious sin of Churchianity is in its professed exclusivity, by which I mean the portrayal of Christianity, as understood and practiced by certain churches, as the only path to truth, the only hope for salvation, and the only way to God. … Continue reading Exclusivity

Russia, Ukraine, and Lent Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 16:24-25 Contemplative author … Continue reading Russia, Ukraine, and Lent

God as Being, Part 4 Once the wave realizes she is the ocean her fear dissipates. Thich Nhat Hanh[1] In the past few weeks I have explored the concepts of God as a being, as a non-being, and as love. Another imperfect analogy for God’s nature, one I find intriguing, if not difficult to wrap … Continue reading God as Being, Part 4

God as Being, Part 3 God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. 1 John 4:16 While I find it problematic to picture God as a being, particularly as a human being, I find imagining God as a form of attracting, influencing energy and/or relationship to … Continue reading God as Being, Part 3

God as Being, Part 2 Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, “The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed…” Luke 17:20 If we cannot accurately liken God to a human being, what sort of being is God? Is God … Continue reading God as Being, Part 2

God as Being I used to believe that prayer changes things, but now I believe that prayer changes us and we change things. Mother Teresa[1] Perhaps the most egregious outcome of anthropomorphizing God is in our imagining of God as a human being. Our patriarchal societies since biblical times have portrayed God as a man … Continue reading God as Being

Anthropomorphosis, Part 4 As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him.. John 9:1-3 … Continue reading Anthropomorphosis, Part 4

Anthropomorphosis, Part 3 Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourself that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, … Continue reading Anthropomorphosis, Part 3

Anthropomorphosis, Part 2 For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard…  Matthew 20:1 When we anthropomorphize God – attribute human characteristics to God – we not only create God in our own image, but we also mislead ourselves and others about … Continue reading Anthropomorphosis, Part 2

Anthropomorphosis But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? Mortals do not know the way to it, and it is not found in the land of the living.  Job 28:12-13 When we anthropomorphize something, we attribute human qualities to it and judge it based on human values, experiences, and understandings. … Continue reading Anthropomorphosis