If there’s one word that describes the Christian church the least, it would be the noun “unity.” This unfortunate reality seems to stretch all the way back to the earliest iteration of the Christian church. This lack of unity is the basis for Paul’s well-known metaphor, that the church is like a body. He creates…
John 18:33-37 describes the arrest of Jesus and the beginning of his trial. This text focuses on the conversation between Pilate and Jesus. Before this Pilate is trying to get off the hook because it’s obvious the charges against Jesus are exaggerated. When he agrees to proceed, it’s clear that this trial will result in an…
How are you doing? Fine? Of course the answer is “fine.” When people ask us how we’re doing, the automatic response is fine. Sometimes when discussing this sociological phenomenon, people say they actually want an honest answer. I never know if I should believe them. In the past, I’ve given a more honest answer and…
We live in a time when we are aware of the suffering that people outside of our region or circles experience. This awareness is important because often our ease and comfort are at the expense of someone else, whether we know it or not. The discomfort of awareness can make us talk more–we want to…
Why is it easier to weep along with a television show than it is to weep with a friend? Is it just me? Maybe it’s because writers know how to draw out our emotions unexpectedly. Do we listen better when we’re watching a show than when a friend is grieving? Maybe we would listen better…
