Homebrewed Theology - Latest Comments

Re: Jesus And The Gay Wedding Cake

Rufus — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 20:40:10 -0000

Couldn't have said it better myself. Very well thought out. Two thumbs up!

Re: Jesus And The Gay Wedding Cake

esther — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 15:09:52 -0000

The premise that the baker refused to bake a cake for a sinner has nothing
to do with the reality of the situation. (everyone has sinned so all the cakes
they made are for sinners.) Freedom is the issue. Would you force a black
person to make a cake for a white supremacist group, or a gay baker to make a
cake for someone wanting bible verses denouncing homosexuality? This freedom
has noting to do with God's love it's living out His love as you see it. It's
totally about being able to follow your beliefs, whatever they are. Our county
is based on that and people have died for that.

Re: Jesus And The Gay Wedding Cake

Dan — Fri, 03 Apr 2015 23:42:03 -0000

The part that is missing here is the idea of repentance. Yes there is eating with sinners, and there is the forgiveness of sins. When repentance is not mentioned, there can be no forgiveness. There needs to be repentance.

Re: Jesus And The Gay Wedding Cake

Rob Martin — Fri, 03 Apr 2015 14:33:33 -0000

For me the most interesting part of the post, and the point I think you're making, is that there is a perception by the religious leaders of people who are deserving of scorn (whether it's because of specific sins or for some other reason) and that Jesus ignores those categories of exclusion. The formerly excluded find inclusion with Jesus, and the excluders find themselves feeling excluded (although they are not. It's just that Jesus doesn't take their side.).

I don't know whether I agree that a meal = a religious ceremony in 1st century Jewish culture, but it is a sign of shared humanity, and eating communally is definitely a sign of intimacy. Jesus shares a meal with all the people you mention above, as well as with Judas, who would hand him over. That's very telling to me.

Of course Jesus doesn't desire people to sin. (Although the "Go and sin no more" passage is a textual variant - it's not included in all the earliest and best manuscripts.) The question remains whether Jesus would consider being gay in and of itself sinful. We don't know, because he doesn't say. The fascinating thing to me is the undue attention tha's paid to this particular behavior (and even orientation) by people who aren't tempted in that way... and this in spite of overwhelming New Testament instruction to not pay attention to the sins of the neighbor before attending to one's own sins.

The more interesting and pernicious issue than any specific sinful behavior to me is the underlying condition of sin. It's not "I did this" or "I failed to do that," but the condition that runs underneath it leading me to specific offenses of commission or omission - it's sin itself. And each of us is steeped in it in ways that we just can't even fathom. Ideologies we hold, systems we contribute to, actions and attitudes we take toward others that is less than loving, at best, and at worst, downright hateful and damaging to people or groups of people. We love to have an "other" to whom we can point and say, "Thanks, God, for not making me like THAT guy." That's the condition of sin at work, and that's where we need to come to Jesus and ask him to change us. He does change us. He forgives us. No matter how many times we fail to "go and sin no more."

Baking a cake for a religious or civil ceremony seems so silly in comparison to the real work we all have to do within ourselves, with the conversations we need to have with that forgiving Spirit of the Christ, who comes to us again and again in forgiveness, not in retaliation for discrete offences. This is soul work we need to do on ourselves before we begin to even think about pointing the accusing finger at another. The world already has an Accuser. People who follow Jesus have his Spirit, whom he calls the Defender. Let's defend our brothers and sisters instead of accusing them. And meanwhile, let's work at removing those specks from our own eyes.

Re: Jesus And The Gay Wedding Cake

Jennifer Pepper — Fri, 03 Apr 2015 11:46:42 -0000

The most interesting points in your blog are your assumption that Jesus didn't have opinions about human sexuality [he did, and obvious ones] and that he affirmed homosexual behavior [he obviously did not] and that engaging in relationship with sinners [which he did] is the same as condoning their behavior [which he did not, the last phrase you conveniently left out of his scandalous passage with the woman caught in adultery] "Go and sin no more." There's plenty of self-righteousness, both with orthodox Christians AND with those who are taking a lot of liberties with scripture. :)

Re: Jesus And The Gay Wedding Cake

James — Fri, 03 Apr 2015 11:19:17 -0000

I think you're making some healthy points that I've heard frequently from many other bloggers and journalists writing on such a hot topic. Emphasizing Jesus's message of love and trying to reestablish this as the foundation of Christianity. But I think the trap this leads to is completely whitewashing anything else Jesus did.

When Jesus is sharing in 'religious ceremonies' with sinners, he is establishing a relationship with them and showing them love and compassion. And they're not sinning anymore. Don't you see the implicit point of the story that Zacchaeus wasn't stealing from people anymore? Jesus isn't participating in these religious ceremonies with prostitutes who are still selling themselves for money. He isn't eating with sinners who are still turning their backs on God. He's eating with those who are seeking the Lord and have turned away from their sins. Which is why he is NOT eating with, to borrow what appears to be your favorite phrase, the self-righteous. They have not put aside their own view of sanctity and fully, FULLY, accepted him.

Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery that he did not condemn her, but he did not say he wasn't condemning her actions. He most certainly did. That's obvious elsewhere when he tells us that even thinking about adultery is a sin. Jesus embraces the sinner, but he doesn't participate in their sin. He embraces them so that they might see the Father and return to Him.

What lies at the heart of this debate is the question of what it truly means to be human.

Yes Jesus demands that we question the status quo and yes he calls us to be in a loving relationship with all humanity. Amen. But that is most certainly not an invitation to moral relativism. We can proclaim 'Judge not lest ye be judged' and by all means live that out in our lives. But also don't forget that you do have a judge. Jesus is calling us to love one another and fully participate in our humanity as God intended it. Celebrating sin is the exact opposite.

Re: Tony Jones’ Troubling Call For Schism

Carol Howard Merritt — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 11:45:43 -0000

"People don't trust pastors."

Re: Tony Jones’ Troubling Call For Schism

Christian Salafia — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 11:43:02 -0000

It is a tricky balance. I agree with Tony's larger point about supporting women in clergy (always felt this way..even when I was a practicing Catholic), yet feel his call is in the same league with what the ECO or NALC did, leaving because of their views on GLBTQ clergy. Granted one is in support and one is not, yet both called for a schismatic response because the opposing view "should not be tolerated". (using Tony's words).

Change within the church, with some notable exceptions, is glacially slow. I think that's just its nature. Once you disregard the Great Awakening(s) in the US, it takes forever for polity to change. In some cases that can be good... in others...not so much.

I believe there's some validity to Phyllis Tickle's "bi-millenial church garage sale" theory. I also think that the church is in a period just prior to some massive polity changes. The pace of these changes: GLBTQ and women in clergy, divestment from the political machine, returning to a social gospel, is seemingly picking up speed. There are going to be those who wish to speed it up...and others who wish to slow it down or stop it.

That's human nature.

Change scares the bejeezus out of 99.9% of the population and when it comes to changes in a person's faith structure, if not handled in a grace-filled way, it can damage them and their faith. Hence the use of Romans 14 in the piece. If we push too hard, then we become the stumbling block...even if we think we're doing the right thing.

In the end, that's what we have to be aware of... of hurting others in our calls for justice and equality.

I'm really shocked even progressive trade presses asked you not to identify.... did they give you a reason why?

Re: Tony Jones’ Troubling Call For Schism

Carol Howard Merritt — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 11:28:41 -0000

I'm a part of a denomination that split over women in the church. The conservatives split off (as is usually the case with Presbyterians). I'm incredibly thankful for those who historically had the courage to draw the line in the sand. And I burst with gratitude for those who are willing to stand with women now.

But.... I recently contributed to a book for a house that probably publishes complimentarians. I don't think they publish ordained women. I was asked to write for the project and had to think about it... but I could write about domestic violence. So I did it. I was hoping to crack the ceiling a bit for ordained women in the publishing world (even with progressive trade presses, I've been told not to identify as a pastor).

So, as a woman, I'm challenged by the idea that I should stick with my side of the cultural divide. I don't want to be complicit in stifling women's voices, but when I was conservative, the ability to see women in powerful positions is what made me change my mind and step into those positions myself.

Re: Slut Shaming Now, Slut Shaming Forever! – A Libertarian Defense

Christian Salafia — Thu, 19 Sep 2013 10:47:38 -0000

Curtis,

Thanks for reading and commenting, but I think you missed the point.

I've been to Colorado Springs and it's beautiful.

The point of the post was to turn Malkin's logic back upon her. Most in the far right tend to leave others hanging in tragedy, saying it's about money, but when it impacts them directly, they're the first in line with their hands out.

If you got to the end of the piece, you'd see where my beliefs come in. Let me quote:

"Because we believe that we are all responsible to and for each other.

Because we believe when our neighbor needs our help, it is our duty to do so, even if we disagree with them.

A nation of individuals who put their individuality above community at all times will never survive.

It’s only when the individuals realize that the community, the nation, is stronger when everyone works together for the common good that the nation will survive."

Have a great day.

P.S. Yes, I do close comments after a period of time. It helps to avoid spam comments from being posted on old posts.

Re: Slut Shaming Now, Slut Shaming Forever! – A Libertarian Defense

Curtis Fouts — Thu, 19 Sep 2013 10:22:44 -0000

I like how you stop post on your old blogs. So let me get this strait. Because michelle malkin lives in Colorado springs we deserve the forest fires? Maybe you should educate your self about Colorado Springs and our history. I have lived here since I was 10 and we have never had forest fire here. The Waldo canon fire was started by a forest ranger. So the federal government is why we had that fire. Now because of the federal government we are being flooded because of that fire. So who is going to pay we are in Colorado because of the feds actions. So don't act like we are getting a good deal. I understand Michelle is a complete dumb ass but she is not from Colorado she is from the east coast. Most of the major fires in Colorado have been started by the federal government. So to say the government should not pay for what they did is beyond me. If the feds came in and burned down 60% of Florida I am sure Rush and Joe and Bush would say the same bull as michelle. Hell you would be saying the same. If anything we the people pay way more to Florida for hurricanes and fires then you pay to Colorado for our natural disasters. By the way we are talking about non-natural disasters. Arson is not natural. We have a tornado wipe out limon and we get no money because it all went to California for there earth quake but the fed is so great. More land has burned in Colorado do to Forrest ranger then any thing else. New Mexico, Arizona and California have had the same problems. If you go back 5 years Arizona New Mexico and Colorado largest forest fire in the history of the states were set buy the US forest service. Both fires in Colorado spring were arson. Trust me we are way more liberal then Florida ever thought of being. Did you pass gun control. Did you pass the legalization of hemp. No you did fix a election so bush could win and you seem to think it is OK to stalk and kill children let alone that every child molester seems to live in Florida. Don't you have a Viagra Cruises to the Philippines? Great place to raise a kid. You sell heroin in the form of oxycontin to everyone and anyone. I think you have way more problems then most of the states combined so maybe you should strike out at your own government and state instead of throughing stones in a glass house. Trust me if I lived in Florida I would be angry too. Shit I probable kill my self.

Re: Slut Shaming Now, Slut Shaming Forever! – A Libertarian Defense

Ken Leonard — Thu, 05 Sep 2013 16:54:19 -0000

"Slut-shaming now, slut-shaming tomorrow, slut-shaming forever."

Ummmm ...

Ummmmm ...

Surely he has to know the segregation reference he's making, and therefore it has to be deliberate.

Wow.

Re: Senator Ted Cruz Flip Flopping on #Syria (@sentedcruz)

Ken Leonard — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 08:30:44 -0000

I think it's safe to say that Fox "News" won't call him on it.

But, you know, I guess that he was for the invasion of Syria before he was against it, so he's all set.

Re: George Zimmerman Is Not The Victim #Trayvon

Ken Leonard — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 13:45:50 -0000

50 years ago today, George Wallace made his infamous declaration "Segregation forever!"

On the one hand -- 50 years!

On the other hand -- only 50 years? We're not that far from the barbarism.

Sadly, that's what I see here, too. People are looking for an excuse to say that it's okay that another black guy died. A text message saying, "I'm a gangsta"? Really?

That pretty much means he's a teenage male in the US today. It sure doesn't mean he's Al Capone.

I'm angry and sad that we still have this going on. A kid was killed. Why we can't unite behind it as a bad thing -- the way we always do when it's a pretty white girl kidnapped or killed somewhere -- is stunning an heartbreaking.

It also tells me that when He hears this "We're a Christian nation" crap that God isn't amused.

Re: Christian Post Readers Cheer Jailing Gays @ChristianPost

Christian Salafia — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 08:24:37 -0000

There's a definite unholy mixing of political ideology and Christianity in certain segments of this country that confuse the message of Christ with the message of empire and power.

Sadder still is that many churches have given up their prophetic tradition for a seat at the table of power, have become unwilling to speak truth to power, and seek to impose their doctrine on others through power and domination. This is totally contrary to the message of "power under" expressed by Christ.

Re: 10 Things The Bible Doesn’t Say

ryan — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 00:13:04 -0000

Sorry um yeah Number 9 is utter bullshit. The bible explicitly gives rules on how bad you can beat slaves. The only slaves that could earn their freedom were Jews. The others were up shit creek. That was very disingenuous.

Re: Christian Post Readers Cheer Jailing Gays @ChristianPost

allegro63 — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 22:28:30 -0000

That CP post is actually how I first made contact with you.It is a sad travesty that people not only agree with such a proposed legislation, they want it implemented here. The fear, loathing displayed in Christianity has to be addressed, and needs to have people to continue to state and demonstrate the opposite, which is Understanding and love. Your comments were a refreshing surprise in a sea of vitirol.

Sadly such comments, not usually said so overtly are quite common in my part of the world, staunchly conservative, usually Baptist, and not quite willing to give up their death grips on any ideology not espoused by their pastor or favorite radio host.

Re: Sodom, Gang Rape, And Evangelical Silence

Christian Salafia — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 10:28:47 -0000

Proving my point, you turn a blind eye to Lot's offering his daughters to be gang raped.

It appears your focus is solely on the same sex rape part of the story, which isn't homosexuality but rape, violence, power, and humiliation, that the fact Lot said "hey... gang rape my daughters" seems to just float by without even a blink.

Re: Sodom, Gang Rape, And Evangelical Silence

Rus Hooper — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 10:24:12 -0000

They didn't want her. The men wanted the other men.

Re: More Drone Porn From @TheIRD

Ken Leonard — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 14:19:21 -0000

As a small-scale farmer, please don't associate this jackass with me.

Sorry ... not the point ...

Anyway ...

It's amazing how he rolls past a list of virtues without bothering to explain what's bad about them, much less what's anti-christian about them.

I'm pretty sure that when Jesus said that he who lives by the sword will die by the sword that He was including machine guns, ICBM's, and even drone-fired Hellfire missiles in that analogy. I'm pretty sure that if another disciple had called out, "It's okay, Peter, you can use my hatchet!" He wouldn't have commended that as wise discernment of His meaning ...

Re: Republican Scandal Mad Libs

Christian Salafia — Tue, 14 May 2013 12:54:02 -0000

Thanks.

I'm just so frustrated that the fish memory of the people, and the media, doesn't see that this is a reboot of the Contract on America years.

My guess is that they're hoping to keep their base sufficiently outraged so they'll come out an vote for a dried dog turd with an (R) next to it.

Re: Hacktivists At @Reddit May Have Killed Sunil Tripathi

Derek — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 09:08:36 -0000

This is wrong. Sunil went missing in mid-March. Reddit just picked up on it BECAUSE he was already missing.

Re: A Shameful Day In Washington #GunViolence

Christian Salafia — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 11:10:04 -0000

It is sad...and you're right, the same ones (~95%) keep getting sent back.

Re: A Shameful Day In Washington #GunViolence

Shapeless — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:56:40 -0000

Yet, they will be right back in their seats for the next term. I bet things would change if someone entered one of their BS sessions with assault weapons and wreaked havoc. Sadly, the idiots in Washington seem utterly disconnected with the rest of America. Beholden to their precious lobbies, they have abandoned concern for the greater good.

Re: The Scientific Racism Of The New Atheists

Christian Salafia — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 15:58:29 -0000

Agreed. They remind me of that hipster pseudo-intellectual kid we all had classes in college with. The one who pretends to be deep, simply to impress women, yet is shallower than a rain puddle in the desert.