Tag Archives: alienation
Friends for the Fray: An Imperative
As we’ve been talking about “The Big Three,” pride, lust, and greed, we’re seeing that we don’t turn away their destructive powers in our lives very well alone. Though we’ve been schooled in individualism, and independence, these thoroughly American traits don’t tend to serve us well on the spiritual journey. Today’s lesson focuses on the imperative of hammering out for ourselves, a community of spiritual friends. The next few lessons will focus on how to do that; what it will look like when we do. Continue reading
Posted in Friends for the Fray
Tagged alienation, ancient spiritual paths, greed, individualism, Love, lust, pride, spiritual friends
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Two Views of People (Part 3)
In this lesson, we conclude our look at two views of people. We see that the common view of ourselves as foreigners on the earth, waiting to go to heaven to find our heart’s true home tends to make for a version of Christianity less engaged with the teachings of Jesus. The view that we and the earth are being redeemed, and that we are co-travelers on the journey toward God’s purpose…
* this makes for a version of Christianity that better cares for the earth, better watches over it, and in general, makes us better citizens of the planet.
* Have a listen to this conclusion of the last three lessons. Continue reading
Posted in Two Views...
Tagged alienation, belonging, human nature, Owners or Renters?, Rethinking Religion, St. Francis
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Two Views of People (Part 2)
There is an old-time hymn titled, “This World is Not My Home.” The sentiment behind the hymn, and behind a common Christian view of humanity, is that we (ie the followers of Jesus) are resident aliens on this earth. We’re just waiting to get snatched away to our true home in heaven.
In this message we examine the problems with this view of things. If we’re resident aliens on the earth, it’s proving pretty difficult for us to be very good citizens here. Continue reading