Good morning. "Here we must emphasize that the cross is not just one theophany among many; it is the definitive theophany . . . Unfortunately, however, the embedded theology of most Christians still revolves around a non-cruciform model of God's power, and a crucial corrective is needed. 1/2

Good morning. "It is quite the fragile god who needs political power to enforce their will. It is quite the powerful God who partners with peasants, is born in poverty, washes feet, heals the sick, advocates for the oppressed, is unjustly killed, and still changes the world." - Rev. Ben Cremer

Good morning. Does it bug you when Christians take parts of the Bible literally that clearly were never meant to be literal? Especially when these Christians quote those passages to justify legislation or to contradict the work of scientists? Yea. Me, too. But guess what? 1/11 #BiblicalLiteralism

Good morning. "On Golgotha, Jesus is one of three. Those three are only that day's roster out of thousands crucified. All those crucified by Rome are just a fraction of the countless shamed, tortured, and killed at the effect of powers beyond their control. 1/5 #Crucifixion #Solidarity #Theology

Good morning. This is a longer excerpt, but worthwhile for Holy Week, as we think about the meaning of the cross: "On the cross, Jesus looks at those around him — the ones who don't believe in him, the ones who cannot make sense of him because he violated their expectations of power... 1/13

Good morning. On this Palm Sunday, remembering a different kind of King, and following the 3rd national No Kings protest, this is a worthwhile reflection for my extended Christian family: 1/5 #Love #Justice #NoKings

Good morning. This seems an appropriate excerpt on this day of the third nationwide No Kings demonstration. The Jesus way can never be merely political, beholden to a particular party or political agenda, but at the same time, it will always have a practical and tangible political impact: 1/8

The Justice of Jesus (TAW062) https://bit.ly/4l1CT68

Good morning. "It may seem odd to modern people, but the early Christians did not see their faith as a way to some future, better life. Neither did they consider Christianity a means for personal growth. Their faith in Jesus meant accepting the invitation to carry Jesus' cross. 1/3

Good morning. "[Jesus' invitation to take up our cross calls us] to the process of dying to self when we serve others at a cost. We die an ego-death when we are willing to be wrong or weak or let go of defending our reputation. 1/7 #Crucifixion #Sacrifice #Love #Lent

Good morning. “Jesus did not just represent God in the world; he made God visible and touchable in all God’s goodness and mercy.” - Boff, Leonardo. Trinity and Society. Theology and Liberation Series. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1988. 30

Find your local No Kings March location. Make plans to attend. This Saturday. #NoKings

Good morning. "On the steps of Pilate's palace, two men stood: One, a peaceful teacher who invited others to a new life marked by other-centered, co-suffering love —the other, a likely revolutionary who attempted to bring freedom through violence. The crowd was invited to choose. 1/3

Good morning. "After the crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus forgave and reinstated Peter. On the beach of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus released Peter from his shame and helped him emerge from denial. With his loving forgiveness and guidance, Jesus can do the same for us. 1/5 #Shame #Healing #Church

Good morning. "Jesus' followers today face the grave temptation to follow in Judas' steps. In many ways, big and small, we are tempted to use Jesus to further our own ends. 1/6 #ChristianNationalism

Good morning. This one is pretty academic-sounding, but hang on until the end, OK? "To say that the Son belongs to God's substance implies that substance possesses almost by definition a relational character... 1/4 #God #Love #Theology

Good morning. “This is my holy sacrament: to fully and consciously participate with self-emptying Love in this present moment.” Felicia Murrell, AND: The Restorative Power of Love in an Either/Or World. Whitaker House, 2024. 82.

Good morning. This chunk explains one of the most significant shifts in my theology and worldview. I used to think being a Christian was ultimately about going to heaven. 1/5 #Faith #Christianity #Deconstruction #Love

Good morning! "An apostolic report can be forgotten or contested. A communal memory can grow dim or be reinterpreted or seem strange. That one event way back there is so specific and so local. Can we really go on celebrating it as the hinge of history? 1/5

I'm serious. The Christian Church in America needs an emergency Sermon on the Mount exposure therapy.

Good Morning. “When we shout that Jesus is Lord, are we saying we have submitted ourselves to His leadership? Or do we mean for the world to submit to us because Jesus is Lord, and we represent Jesus?

"The glory of God will be revealed, not on a golden throne, but on a bloody cross. Jesus reveals the unexpected: a God who invites rather than compels, who enters into our disgrace rather than retreating behind power.

Good morning. This excerpt from Thurman’s prayer is a good blessing for social media. “Lord, I want to be more holy in my words. Words are my common tools of communication. All that many know of me are the words used as connecting links between my inward parts and theirs.

Good morning. "If the concept of God has any validity or any use, it can only be to make us larger, freer, and more loving. If God cannot do this, then it is time we got rid of Him.” This challenge comes from the deeply tested heart of James Baldwin.

Good morning. "If love will not swing wide the gates, no other power will or can.” - James Baldwin, The Fire Next Time, (Vintage, 1993). 30

This Friday, I'm the tech producer for a short therapist training. A master clinician is presenting how she uses assessment tools in her work with trauma clients. storyinformed.com/register/sit... #therapists #ContinuingEducation 1/2

Good morning! “It is clear that no political activity can be encouraged by saying that progress is natural and inevitable; that is not a reason for being active, but rather a reason for being lazy. 1/2

Good morning. "But what was the point, the purpose, of my salvation if it did not permit me to behave with love toward others, no matter how they behaved toward me?" - James Baldwin. The Fire Next Time. Vintage Books, New York. 1993. 40.

Did you miss this one? The Justice of Jesus (TAW062) https://bit.ly/4l1CT68

Good morning. “Much of American culture, including the culture of the church, relies heavily on minorities assimilating so as to have a semblance of unity. 1/7 #ChurchHurt #Inclusion #Gospel

Good morning! "Jesus said, 'Let the little children come.' He said this is who the kingdom belongs to. What determines their belonging? A desire to be in Jesus' presence. The little children had nothing to offer but themselves. 1/4

Good morning! "Parables rely on surprise and discomfort to get you to think about yourself in ways you'd rather not. Stand in the place of the first servant [in the parable of the Ungrateful Servant.] ]Having received enormous forgiveness, what would you choose to put out into the world? 1/9

Good morning. "Focus on the punchline [of the parable of the Rich Man & Lazarus], not the graphic novel illustrations of hell . . . Jesus makes the point that many are just not interested in listening to the guidance of scripture regarding taking care of those around us. 1/6 #Lent

Good morning. "Can we, children of post-enlightenment materialism and modern free market capitalism, even comprehend that lone does not take its cues from merit? The runaway [Prodigal] son was surprised by love. 1/6 #Lent #Judgement

Good morning. "We live in a culture mad with lust for success, and bigness is its chief indicator. I hope this isn't too jarring to hear, but success and bigness are not evidence of God's presence. Nothing in the way of Jesus tells us to seek these things — just the opposite. 1/5 #Lent

Is justice people getting what they deserve, or getting what they need? What is Jesus' justice? The Justice of Jesus (TAW062) https://bit.ly/4l1CT68

Is justice people getting what they deserve, or getting what they need? What is Jesus' justice? The Justice of Jesus (TAW062) https://bit.ly/4l1CT68

Some Christians think Justice means the guilty get their due. Others think Justice is when everyone gets what they need. In an unjust world, why are we so divided on this? What would it mean for us to do justice Jesus’ way? 1/4 @joashpthomas.bsky.social #Justice youtu.be/N3q2P66eQck?...

Good morning. “The resurrection means that the mode of Jesus' salvation has been vindicated by God as the way of true salvation, and the violent modes of ethnic cleansing, imperial domination, and the like are pseudo-soteriologies . . . 1/3

Good morning. “Kindle Thy light within me, that all my darkness may be clearly defined. It is so easy for me to recognize and respond to the darkness in others. Far more conscious am I of the error of others than of my own. 1/6

Good morning. "Lazarus' resurrection was the final straw for the power holders in Jerusalem. It gave Jesus too much influence. That miracle sealed his fate. 1/6

Good morning, and welcome to the 8th day of Lent. "We live in a society that honors accomplishment. Performance is the highest measure of merit. Any task or time slot that doesn't provide value is considered wasted time or maybe a luxury available to those who've finished their chores. 1/9

Good morning. "The parable [of the Good Samaritan] stung. The wrong person was the hero! In fact, the hero was precisely the kind of person the crowd was liable to exclude from their circle of care. 1/8

Good morning. "Unlike what you may have heard, the word Biblical is not an affirmation. Within scripture's pages, actions are recorded, and opinions expressed that are not good, moral, or loving. 1/6

Good morning. God isn't looking for an intensity of belief or an iron-clad certainty. Your fragile hope is sufficient. "Moments before, Jesus had laid out what sounded like criteria for God's intervention. This father couldn't claim to be living up to that standard, but he didn't leave. 1/5 #Faith

Good morning! "One of the most severe impediments to seeing the dignity of others arises when we start measuring the authenticity, morality, and orthodoxy of their pursuit of God . . . 1/9 #Lent

Good morning. "Haven't we all been tempted to shortcut the gentle pacing of love? Will we use whatever power or privilege we have for our own gain or security? Or will we trust God's timing and follow the slow, non-manipulative, non-coercive path of love? 1/8 #Lent

My journal reminds me that a year ago today, I released Walking Otherward into the world. Strange to think about it out there, living its own independent life.

Good morning. "Remember where you came from. Remember where you are headed. You and I are miracles. We are also animated dust. We are spiritual fireworks already falling and fading, dancing bodies slowly being taken by entropy. 1/5 #Lent

This interview with James Talarico is clear, principled, and truthful. It's also a message so threatening to the current US regime that CBS refused to let Colbert air it. Colbert posted it to YouTube instead, since that doesn't count as FCC-governed broadcasting. youtu.be/oiTJ7Pz_59A?...