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There was a legitimate question at the time American troops were committed to Iraq, whether our action conformed to the Augustinian “Just War” tradition with its various criteria: just cause, proper authority, right intention, last resort, and the like. I felt the just war standards were met by the threat presented.
One of the greatest misconceptions ever perpetuated is that Christianity teaches that sex is in itself somehow sinful or dirty. There could be nothing further from the truth.
Yes, I believe the world will come to an end.
The answer is yes and no. The media, after all, is made up of fallible human beings who often get things right and sometimes don’t.
I asked that very question of a Catholic Bishop, now a Cardinal. His response was, “I would look for a rich widow to marry.”
Christians respond by grieving with the victims. Christians pray with the victims, listen to them, and allow them to mourn.
While thankfully the vast majority of Muslims do not practice violence, the answer to whether Islam is a violent religion is: Regrettably, Islam spawns violence.
This question is prompted, I assume, by Mitt Romney’s candidacy for President. I do not believe, nor should any Christian believe, that there should be a religious test of any kind for public office.
Jesus was the most radical social revolutionary in human history. But he did not arrive—as the Jews expected—to the sound of hoof beats and swords clashing; rather, he came as a helpless babe born in a manger.
Religion is simply a word derived from the Latin religare, which means to bind together.
In light of Monday’s Memorial Day remembrance, let me first say how deeply grateful I am for all the veterans, as well as those currently serving in our armed forces, for their sacrifices. This question, then, is an important and timely one.
A fundamental tenet of Christianity is that we are saved, that we receive God’s righteousness, by faith—and faith alone. But there is no such thing in a Christian tradition of faith alone that does not result in evidence of that faith—that is works done in society.
Yes, I believe in heaven and hell because I believe in a God of justice. If there were no consequences, my actions would have no significance.
First off, as a Baptist I am hardly an expert on liturgy or the history of liturgy. But the real question being posed is the necessity of maintaining continuity between our worship and the way in which our ancestors in the faith worshiped.
The press coverage of Pope Benedict’s statements about the Catholic Church being the true church is much ado about nothing.
I don’t know what law would prohibit this. Nor do I think it is an issue of separation of church and state. It is a question of appropriateness, however.
If there were Hindu members of the Senate, then it would be appropriate from a pastoral sense. If there is not a member being represented in the Senate, then there would be no point in having a Hindu pray because, as I understand it, this is a prayer for the Senators. I personally don’t see any problem with representatives of a religion, practiced by the members, praying.
The decision by the ELCA to ignore biblical standards of moral behavior is, given the history of modern mainline Christianity, not surprising, but it is deeply distressing.
Who wants to belong to a church that doesn't treat biblical teachings as truth? Would I sacrifice my life for something I didn't believe to be true? Of course not. But martyrs from the first century on have.
This kind of decision dishonors our Lord, dishonors the Church, and dishonors those who have kept the faith for two millennia.
This is why John Gresham Machen said, almost a century ago, that liberal Christianity is not a brand of Christianity: it is simply another religion altogether -- liberalism.
I think even more highly of Mother Teresa in light of her letters. When you sit in a comfortable pew, religion can seem like a nice, easy way of life.
The question of why a merciful God allows disasters has been one of the most vexing questions for thousands of years. Any answer to such a profound question in so short a space is going to feel either inadequate or cold, but in maintaining the spirit of these short posts, I will do my best to answer concisely.
God is, in the Christian and Jewish understanding, all powerful and all loving. In the beginning God, loving us so much, created us to be like Him with a free will. But a free will presupposes that humans can disobey. The biblical account of the Garden of Eden tells us that humans did just that, choosing their own will over God’s. Theologians call this original sin the occasion of the Fall. Thereafter human nature was bent, predisposed to evil. In this Fall, all of creation came under the curse. So in the biblical understanding it is human rebellion that has brought about both manmade and natural disasters and catastrophes.
Someone once said that culture is religion incarnate. There are many people today who are distressed over trends in modern American culture; that we’re losing traditional values; that the family is disintegrating; crime is rising; and juvenile delinquency is up.
What Islam Really Says About Violence, Rights and Other Religions
Gomaa, Fadlallah, Mubarak, Khan, Siddiqi, Ellison, others | On Faith
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