According to the site and this press release, the book uncovers a wealth of material about additional lessons from Christ, including how to “realize God by going within–the Kingdom of Heaven was the enlightenment of the consciousness.” Sadleir claims these teachings were rejected by the early Greco-Roman churches.
I have no idea how scientifically sound Sadleir’s claims are. He does seem to be a good marketer, however, and you can watch him introduce his book below:
The Rev. Howard Bess, in this article, talks about forgetting about retribution and revenge. And argues that what Jesus preached at the end of the Sermon on the Mount was going completely against the grain of what anyone—including God—practiced or believed at the time (or now). Here’s what Jesus said:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you, don’t resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.” — Matthew 5:38-39
Jesus believed in forgiveness, not in sin as a debt to be repaid. Bess titles his article, “How Christianity Lost Jesus” and feels that the western world in this century has embraced “an eye for an eye” in utter rejection of what Christ taught. How did it happen? Read the article and see his description of how Paul’s theology trumped Jesus’ teachings. Bess closes with:
“There is no evidence that the practice of ‘eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth’ ever produced an honorable result, made people more whole with lives that are more satisfying, or produced a society that is good for all.”
There are different definitions for “Social Justice” out there, but I found a nice, objective one at BusinessDictionary.com:
“Fair and proper administration of laws conforming to the natural law that all persons, irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, possessions, race, religion, etc., are to be treated equally and without prejudice. See also civil rights.”
Seems like something we would all be in favor of, right? Well, not all of us, apparently. Glenn Beck recently told his listeners to “to leave any church that teaches social justice, and to report its pastor to church authorities.”
If you would like to tell Mr. Beck how you feel about Social Justice and pass along the fact that Jesus was a fan (of Social Justice, not of Glenn Beck), the good folks at Sojourners have an online “Take Action” form.
Travis Bishop was released from a military brig last Thursday. He had been serving a 12-month sentence after being court-martialed for refusing to serve in Afghanistan. Here’s what Bishop had to say upon being granted a 3-month reduction in his sentence:
“Three months clemency. Wow. I am truly astonished. Great for me? Sure. Great for future resisters? Even more so. I cannot believe that I told the Army ‘No,’ refused to deploy, pleaded not guilty, and then indicted the entire system and blamed my command in court, and still merited clemency.”
And here’s what he said back during his court-martial:
“As a real Christian, I must be opposed to all violence, no matter what, because that is what Jesus taught.”
While I applaud his feelings toward violence, I can’t help but feel strangely ambivalent about the case. The US Army is currently a volunteer outfit; there’s no draft involved. If Bishop felt this way all along, why did he join the Army in the first place?
The title of this post is taken (hence the quotes) from this NPR story by Barbara Bradley Hagerty. You can read the text of the story, but I recommend listening as the voices add a lot. It concerns reaction over Brian McLaren’s new book, “A New Kind of Christianity.” McLaren is a prominent and influential evangelical and a writer of both books and blogs.
He was also one of the first people to give us a review of What He Said. Again, listen to the story.
Despite President Obama saying he would issue an executive order pledging that no federal funds be used for abortions, some healthcare reform opponents kept up the fight. Texas Republican Rep. Randy Neugebauer shouted “it’s a baby killer” while fellow Rep. Bart Stupak was speaking. Neugebauer says he “remains heartbroken over the passage of this bill and the tragic consequences it will have for the unborn…”
I understand the concern for the unborn. But does that concern end at the moment of birth? Once you’re born you’re on your own? Too bad you keep getting rejected by the insurance companies because of that infant skin rash? Sorry you’re one of 45,000 Americans who die each year because of no health coverage?
What about the tragic consequences not passing reform will have for the born?
Shane Claiborne is the co-founder of The Simple Way and the author of several books, including Jesus for President, Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers and The Irresistible Revolution. After watching the video below, I think he would really like What He Said.
The Wichita Eagle periodically publishes questions from readers that the Rev. Billy Graham then answers. Some of the questions are more interesting/thought-provoking than others. Like this one:
DEAR REV. GRAHAM: If Christianity is true, then why are most of the so-called “Christians” I know hypocrites? I’d rather be a complete unbeliever (which I am) than someone who claims to be a Christian but doesn’t act like it. At least I try to be a good person, and they don’t. —J.H.
Ethnic violence between the Muslim North and Christian South in Nigeria broke out over the weekend with 500 deaths, many of them women and children driven from their homes by fire and then killed by machetes. This time the attackers were Muslim herdsmen and the victims were Christian. The attack was apparently launched to avenge January’s violence, when Christians did the killing.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:43-45
At NC State University, a street preacher known as “Brother Ross” is bombarding students with his views on homosexuality and the role of women in Christianity. Apparently, the meat of his sermons consists of screaming “whores” and “sodomites” at the top of his lungs to passing undergrads.
“If I started preaching in the Brickyard without permission and started shouting profanities about my fellow female students, I would probably be arrested, sent to a disciplinary review board and rightfully offend all of the women who attend school here.
Regardless of the religious aspects, his words and actions clearly violate the school policy with regards to discrimination and verbal abuse. You drilled this point into my head during student orientation when you said that this type of behavior is unacceptable at anytime, anywhere.”
Yet Brother Ross’s behavior is somehow accepted. When do freedom of speech and religious freedom go too far?
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