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Adam, Eve, and Paul: Discerning the Role of Women in the Mission of God

A Theological Reflection on 1st Timothy 2:11-15

Regarding Paul’s writings about the role of women in the church, William Mounce has written, “If it could be proven that elsewhere Paul allows women to teach… authoritatively within the context of the household of God, then it would have to be concluded that Paul is inconsistent or [has] been misunderstood.”[1] L. T. Johnson has suggested that Paul was “nervous” about the role of women in the church. He offers a very helpful discussion on the various hermeneutical options that inform interpretation. He concludes that the only viable option “is to engage the words of Paul in a dialectical process of criticism within the public discourse of the church, both academic and liturgical.”[2]

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Washed and Waiting: Reflections on Christian Faithfulness and Homosexuality – A Review

I have served as a pastor for more than thirty years. The most difficult issues I have faced have been matters of love. Time after time I have talked with people who have been deeply hurt by the people they love and trust most. These issues of love, devotion, affection, attraction, and sexuality are the dirty secrets that have consumed a great deal of my time as a shepherd of God’s people. Love may be bliss, but it is fraught with difficulty and pain. Consider the many painful situations associated with love and sex:

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The Nuances of Racism

This post was edited and updated on 8/20/2014.

When we talk about racism or bigotry most people are not aware of the nuances involved. Racism is a term filled with political nuance. Believe it or not, there is a distinction between being a racist and a bigot. A bigot may harbor malicious and hateful thoughts against another because of race, nationality, or religion. But a bigot lacks the power or motive to act. If one is a bigot, but has power and motive, then that is racism. Racism is inherently oppressive. Jim Crow laws were racist because they had the force of law and the support of a bigoted populace. Keep in mind that to be racist implies the political, social, and economic power to oppress a group of human beings because of their race.

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The Love of God

God unconditionally loves sinners and conditions them to be glorified saints!

There’s a lot of talk about the “unconditional love” of God. On most occasions the context of this conversation is someone who admits to their sinful condition, even revels in it, but considers any suggestion of repentance to be judgmental.

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Lessons on Leadership from the Bishop of Rome

Pope Francis’s recent address to the Italian bishops was a call to be models of discipleship, not masters over persons.

“The consequence of the love of the Lord is to give everything—exactly everything, even one’s own life—for Him: This is that which ought to distinguish our pastoral ministry. It is the ‘acid test’ that bespeaks the profundity that we have embraced, the gift we have received. By responding to the call of Jesus, we show how much we are bound to the persons and the communities that have been entrusted to us.”

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Shades, Angels, Memories, and the Resurrection

The most sensitive and critical moments of pastoral ministry are times of sorrow in death. This is especially true when the people we are seeking to comfort and encourage are members of our family. I have been here many times. I have presided or spoke at the funeral services of all four grandparents, my father, uncles, aunts, cousins, a nephew, and a niece. Most recently, I presided over the service for my brother, Randy. The past two weeks have been very tough. First, we lost two uncles. Then, two days after Uncle Mike died we received the news that Randy died suddenly and unexpectedly. Our grief has been profound.

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