Category Archives: Christianity

It’s Not the Way It’s Supposed to Be

Posted on September 9, 2017 by salooper57

Orthodox Christianity has, at least from the time of Augustine, upheld the doctrine of original sin. According to the church, the first man’s rebellion against his creator left all humanity guilty before God and damaged in their nature. When Adam … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christianity, In the News, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Avoid a Bandwagon Brand of Politics

Posted on September 2, 2017 by salooper57

I was recently asked, point-blank, if I was a liberal or a conservative. No one has ever asked me that question before – at least not directly. There have been times, however, when people have told me what I am: … Continue reading →

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

Our Church Is Better Than Your Church

Posted on August 26, 2017 by salooper57

I’ve been surprised by people who, in conversation with me, refer to the church I pastor as “your church.” I’m surprised because they’ve been attending for years. Why are they still saying “you” instead of “we” and “your church” instead … Continue reading →

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

Charlottesville: Is it Time to Take Sides?

Posted on August 19, 2017 by salooper57

  After Charlottesville, is it time to take sides? President Trump has been roundly criticized for his alleged refusal to do so, both in his initial response to the violence there and in his follow-up news conference. He has been … Continue reading →

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No Symptoms Doesn’t Equal No Disease

Posted on July 8, 2017 by salooper57

I recently visited the nice people at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan for a coronary angiogram, with overnight accommodations, IVs, heart monitors, and blood draws as part of the all-inclusive package. How I got there is a long story, full … Continue reading →

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Better Off Dead: Life Beyond the Grave

Posted on June 10, 2017 by salooper57

Death has always been hard to understand – just try explaining it to a child. How strange it is to be speaking to a person you know one minute and find them absent the next. Their body is still present … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Faith, Peace with God | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Tie That Binds Can Also Tear Us Apart

Posted on June 4, 2017 by salooper57

Most Christian churches include a ritual meal in their worship liturgy. They refer to it in different ways – participating in the Lord’s Supper, taking Holy Communion, celebrating the Eucharist – and they take part in it with varying frequency. … Continue reading →

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If Today’s Media Had Reported on Jesus

Posted on May 27, 2017 by salooper57

Everything the President of the United States says is news. If he belches, international stock markets drop. If he bellows, nations flinch. If his speech is aggressive – and how often this president sounds aggressive – ambassadors phone home. It … Continue reading →

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The Number One Rule in Great Story-Writing

Posted on May 13, 2017 by salooper57

A great storyteller can bring a character to life, metaphorically speaking. There’s no one who does it better than the novelist and poet Wendell Berry. His Port William “membership” is replete with memorable characters, and his Burley Coulter is one … Continue reading →

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The Virtue We Wish We Could Do Without

Posted on April 29, 2017 by salooper57

When the Tribune Chronicle stopped carrying Sydney Harris’s column, I abruptly cancelled my subscription. It was my habit to turn first to “Strictly Personal,” and only after that to check out the rest of the paper. Harris’s famous aphorisms and … Continue reading →

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