Author Archives: salooper57

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About salooper57

Husband, father, pastor, follower. I am a disciple of Jesus, learning how to do life from him. I read, write, walk, play a little guitar, enjoy my family.

Religion Is Not an End in Itself

Posted on October 29, 2016 by salooper57

When Jesus, whom orthodox Christians believe to be the eternal God incarnated as a human being, was on earth, he faced ongoing hostility and opposition from two groups. One was comprised of the political power brokers of the day, whose … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Faith, Spiritual life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Evil Likes to Work the Angles

Posted on October 22, 2016 by salooper57

I recently received an invitation to speak at a conference in the UK. The church that sent the invite asked me to speak on a theme I often address in sermons and in print. I forwarded the invitation to my … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, In the News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Morality Does Not Have a Reset Point

Posted on October 15, 2016 by salooper57

According to geologists, earth’s tectonic plates are in constant flux. The seven major plates (and many minor ones) move in relation to each other. This movement has in pre-history had a significant effect on the current arrangement of the continents. … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Spiritual life, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Once and Future Faith

Posted on October 8, 2016 by salooper57

Christianity has changed over the years. This change has not taken place in Christianity’s core beliefs, which are substantially the same as they were at the beginning. The change has happened in its outward expressions. The soul of the faith … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, In the News, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Promising a Better Future, Delivering a Better Present

Posted on October 1, 2016 by salooper57

The British ocean liner R.M.S. Lusitania was torpedoed by a German submarine on May 7, 1915. As people rushed to the lifeboats, a woman passenger asked the captain what to do. The captain, according to Erik Larson’s book, Dead Wake: … Continue reading →

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Christians, Creation and Environmental Concerns

Posted on September 24, 2016 by salooper57

Christians have often been disparaged for their lack of involvement in and concern for environmental issues, and that criticism has sometimes been valid. In an article at Bible.org, Ray Bohlin, who holds a Ph.D. in molecular and cell biology, suggests … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Faith, In the News, Lifestyle, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Someday the Timing Chain Will Break

Posted on September 17, 2016 by salooper57

I own a 2007 Chevy Malibu. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s got me where I’ve needed to go. And it’s been remarkably reliable. Besides oil changes and a few minor repairs, I’ve not had to put much money into it … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Spiritual life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

You’ve Got to Believe It to See It

Posted on September 10, 2016 by salooper57

There is in Christianity an emphasis on faith that is, to my knowledge, unequalled in any major religion. In most religions, faith is presupposed. In Christianity it is demanded. In general, religions can be summed up with a set of … Continue reading →

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Peacemakers Can Change the Calculus of Violence

Posted on September 3, 2016 by salooper57

This article is not meant to be controversial, though it does address a controversial topic: guns, mass shootings, the gun lobby and the anti-gun lobby. I offer no solution to the current debates over gun legislation and am not even … Continue reading →

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The Astonishingly Complex Process

Posted on August 27, 2016 by salooper57

I came back from school one day in early September and went to my grandparent’s house. I didn’t go to our house because my parents were shuttling between home and University Hospital, where my older brother was being treated. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, Spiritual life, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments