-
Join 845 other followers
Amazon Author Page
-
Recent Posts
Categories
- Advent 2016
- Along the Way
- And Your Daughters
- At The Gate
- Benedict's Rule
- Christ
- Connections
- Day One
- Deep and Wide
- Desert Wisdom
- Editorials
- Engage
- For the Bride
- Here and Now
- Holy Love
- Holy Week 2012
- Holy Week 2013
- In-Sight
- Journey
- Let Us Pray
- LGBTQ+ Writing
- Listenings
- Love
- Lumen Fidei
- Ministry Musings
- New Awakening
- Nonviolence
- Practicing the Better
- Rebuild My Church
- Shepherd's Care
- Site Updates
- Spiritual Life
- The Holy Gospel
- The Prophetic Task
- The Teaching Life
- UMC
- Uncategorized
- Year of Mercy
Archives
- November 2022
- October 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- November 2017
- October 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
Meta
Author Archives: Steve Harper
At the Gate: Word Wounding
Sitting at the gate, we hear all sorts of conversaions. Some are formative; others are deformative. Some build up; others tear down. Whoever coined the phrase “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” was … Continue reading
Posted in At The Gate
Comments Off on At the Gate: Word Wounding
At the Gate: Woke Does Not Die
Sitting at the gate is an act of seeing, observing, and paying attention to life. The gate is a panoramic place where we see the breadth and depth (diversity and wonder) of life. It is no accident that “the recovery … Continue reading
Posted in At The Gate
Comments Off on At the Gate: Woke Does Not Die
At the Gate: Jesus Enlarged and Enriched
Sitting at the gate as an elder is a posture that creates the time and space to explore new things, and grow. I have previously noted that the most significant expression of this opportunity has been an enlarged Christology. I … Continue reading
Posted in At The Gate, Uncategorized
Comments Off on At the Gate: Jesus Enlarged and Enriched
New UMC: The Future is Now
With the election of new bishops, the emergence of the new United Methodist Church moves farther into its future filled with hope (Jeremiah 29:11). We have hope that the Council of Bishops will lead us with magnified wisdom and courage, … Continue reading
Posted in UMC
Comments Off on New UMC: The Future is Now
Oboedire at 75
Well, no….Oboedire is not 75 years old, but I am. I hit that number a few days ago. It is a marker for me to think about Oboedire in a new way. I want to keep the site active, if … Continue reading
Posted in Site Updates
Comments Off on Oboedire at 75
Along the Way: Healthy Religion
Reading Brian McLaren’s latest book, ‘Do I Stay Christian?’ has been a good experience for me for multiple reasons. [1] In this post I look at one of them: the importance of embracing and expressing healthy religion. At first glance, … Continue reading
Posted in Along the Way
Comments Off on Along the Way: Healthy Religion
Along the Way: Communion Spirituality
Posted in Along the Way
Comments Off on Along the Way: Communion Spirituality
Along the Way: Theological Diversity
The current theological hurricane in which we find ourselves (in both the society and the church) is complex, rendering a singular cause/effect description impossible. But like meteorologists, we can identify and explore particular factors that contribute to making the storm … Continue reading
Posted in Along the Way
Comments Off on Along the Way: Theological Diversity
“Engage” Meeting Tomorrow
I’m looking forward to meeting with you tomorrow (Thursday) at Noon (ET).
Posted in Uncategorized
Comments Off on “Engage” Meeting Tomorrow
Engage: What Do We Do with Evil? #13
Read: In Summary In this final chapter, Rohr stays with Pauline thought to gather up all he has been saying in the book into six closing statements. He calls the summary “the redemptive plan of God” (p. 98), calling to … Continue reading
Posted in Engage
Comments Off on Engage: What Do We Do with Evil? #13
Along the Way: Soulship Enterprise
“I have been attentive to the soul and to things related to it for a long time, with memories that go all the way back into my childhood. To use Star Trek language, I have viewed my soul as the … Continue reading
Posted in Along the Way
Comments Off on Along the Way: Soulship Enterprise
Engage: What Do We Do with Evil? #12
Read: “Holding the Tensions” In this chapter, Rohr expands on the Hegelian thesis-antithesis-synthesis dialectical methodology: a form of nondual thinking necessary if we are to overcome evil with good. He uses the concept of “third-force thinking” developed by G.I. Gurdjieff … Continue reading
Posted in Engage
Comments Off on Engage: What Do We Do with Evil? #12
Along the Way: No-name God
“I have recently had the opportunity to revisit the fact that in Hinduism, Judaism, Taoism, Christianity, and Islam, God is nameless. I began thinking about this again when I read Moses’ request to know God’s name, and God said, “The … Continue reading
Posted in Along the Way
Comments Off on Along the Way: No-name God
Engage: What Do We Do with Evil? #11
Thanks to a gentle nudge from a group member a little while ago, I realize I did not post the weekly “Engage Group” memo this past Monday. In the spirit of “better late than never, here it is. 😃 Read: … Continue reading
Posted in Engage
Comments Off on Engage: What Do We Do with Evil? #11
Christ: Christ is All in All #6
“Let’s Be the Church” Paul’s words in Colossians 3:11 are the basis for the Church. Because Christ is Lord and universally present in everyone and everything, we can gather in his name, and he will be with us (Matthew 18:20). … Continue reading
Posted in Christ
Comments Off on Christ: Christ is All in All #6
Engage: What Do We Do with Evil? #10
Read: “Love and Forgiveness” The way of God is the way of love. We always love in the midst of life as it is–rarely, if ever, loving in ideal conditions when everything is as it should be. Often, we love … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Comments Off on Engage: What Do We Do with Evil? #10
Christ: Christ is All and in All #5
“Christ is Reality” Taking Paul’s two-part sentence as-a-whole, we see that he was saying, “Christ is reality.” E. Stanley Jones said the same, “To be in him is to be in ultimate reality. To be in him is to have … Continue reading
Posted in Christ
Comments Off on Christ: Christ is All and in All #5
Engage: What Do We Do With Evil? #9
Read: “How to Survive and Even Thrive” The idea of overcoming evil with good can sometimes seem impossible, given the systemic and pervasive nature of evil. Paul questioned the possibility in Romans 7:14, 23. Rohr connects our questions with Paul’s … Continue reading
Posted in Engage
Comments Off on Engage: What Do We Do With Evil? #9
Wesley’s Way: The Grand Reunion
Among the missional senses that the Wesleys had for the Methodist movement was this: the conjoining of knowledge and vital piety, which John said had been too long divided. He incarnated that grand reunion through his integration of theology and … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Comments Off on Wesley’s Way: The Grand Reunion
Along the Way: When Deception Becomes Reality
My psalm reading this morning took me to these words of David describing someone living under the influence of evil, “Your tongue devises destruction: it’s like a sharpened razor, causing deception.You love evil more than good; you love lying more … Continue reading
Posted in Along the Way
Comments Off on Along the Way: When Deception Becomes Reality
Christ: Christ is in All #4
“Our Provider” Paul’s words are not only revelations of Christ’s person, but also of Christ’s provision. Christ’s “allness” offers us the opportunity to live abundantly (John 10:10). Just a few verses before this one, Paul summed it up: Christ is … Continue reading
Posted in Christ, Uncategorized
Comments Off on Christ: Christ is in All #4
Along the Way: A Hard Look on the Inside
My last “Along the Way” post dealt with the evil of fundamentalism/nationalism, looking at Jesus’ call to have eyes that see as a way of naming it, resisting it, and overcoming it with good. The problem is, when the eyes … Continue reading
Posted in Along the Way
Comments Off on Along the Way: A Hard Look on the Inside
Engage: What Do We Do With Evil? #8
Thanks to those of you who joined our Zoom meeting last Friday. The group was a bit larger this time around and included some new people. We will meet again on Friday, August 5th. I will include the link in … Continue reading
Posted in Engage
Comments Off on Engage: What Do We Do With Evil? #8
Along the Way: We See You!
The caricature and denigration of “social justice” by Christian fundamentalist/nationalists is not only an abberation of the Gospel, it is a revelation of how wedded the Christian right is to the “dirty rotten system” (Dorothy Day). [1] Fundamentalists/nationalists reap enormous … Continue reading
Posted in Along the Way
Comments Off on Along the Way: We See You!
Engage: Zoom Tomorrow
Just a reminder that our second Zoom meeting to discuss Richard Rohr’s book is tomorrow (Friday) at Noon, Eastern Time USA. I hope you can join in. Here is the link… Please click this URL to start or join. https://us06web.zoom.us/j/9314085719?pwd=ZXhGc1dtMXlWRkFHUnZZem1SZDRQQT09 Or, … Continue reading
Posted in Engage
Comments Off on Engage: Zoom Tomorrow
Engage: What Do We Do with Evil? #7
Read: “The Spiral of Violence” This chapter shows the inadequacy of retributive justice. Punishment does not overcome evil because it only addresses the effects of it, not the causes of it. Punitiveness is not transformative. It leaves “the filthy rotten … Continue reading
Posted in Engage
Comments Off on Engage: What Do We Do with Evil? #7
Christ: Christ is in All #3
“In Every Moment” When we affirm that Christ is in all, we easily connect the statement to people, places and things. The previous meditations have done this by noting Christ is in everyone and everything. But there is more. Christ … Continue reading
Posted in Christ
Comments Off on Christ: Christ is in All #3
Engage: What Do We Do with Evil? #6
Read: “A Way Out and Through” Having laid a good foundation for understanding the nature and expression of evil, Rohr begins to lead us out of it, offering a way through it that he further develops in the rest of … Continue reading
Posted in Engage
Comments Off on Engage: What Do We Do with Evil? #6
Along the Way: The Hard Work of Hope”
Earlier today I read an article by Dr. Walter Brueggemann in which he used the phrase “the hard work of hope.” [1] The phrase stuck to the velcro on my soul, putting words to a sentiment I have had for … Continue reading
Posted in Along the Way
Comments Off on Along the Way: The Hard Work of Hope”
Engage: What Do We Do with Evil? #5
Read: “The Hidden Places of Deadness” In the chapter entitled, “The World, the Flesh, and the Devil” Rohr introduced the threefold paradigm that describes how evil exists and acts. In this chapter he uses the paradigm again, this time to … Continue reading
Posted in Engage
Comments Off on Engage: What Do We Do with Evil? #5
Along the Way: Full-Spectrum Reality
If you have followed my writing here on Oboedire and elsewhere, you know that I have found the song “Deep and Wide” to be one of the best ones for understanding the spiritual life. Many of us learned the song … Continue reading
Posted in Along the Way
Comments Off on Along the Way: Full-Spectrum Reality
Engage: What Do We Do with Evil? #4
Read: “We Are All Profiting from and Complicit in Evil” I want to begin this week’s post by saying that I enjoyed being with fifteen of you in the Zoom meeting last Friday. I am glad we have made these … Continue reading
Posted in Engage
Comments Off on Engage: What Do We Do with Evil? #4
Along the Way: Oppression in Operation
I occasionally write that my Sociology major in college has served me well over the years, providing insight into my second major, Religion. At the time I graduated, I had no idea how both would interact to enrich my faith … Continue reading
Posted in Along the Way
Comments Off on Along the Way: Oppression in Operation
Christ: Christ is In All #2
“The Ultimate Integration” The phrase “the hidden Christ in all religions” is sometimes used to describe Christ’s presence in religions other than Christianity. But Paul’s words do not speak of hiddenness, but rather about revelation. We see the essence of … Continue reading
Posted in Christ
Comments Off on Christ: Christ is In All #2
New UMC: We Believe!
As the new UMC emerges, I look forward to being part of a denomination that conjoins belief and practice, faith and form, message and method to “serve the present age” in a mission that makes disciples of Jesus Christ for … Continue reading
Posted in UMC
Comments Off on New UMC: We Believe!
Along the Way: What About the Bible?
A review of Church history reveals that when critical issues emerge in the Church, alongside the particular topic is the larger matter of the inspiration and authority of Scripture. [1] Some groups claim they are “biblical” and allege others are … Continue reading
Posted in Along the Way
Comments Off on Along the Way: What About the Bible?
Engage: What Do We Do with Evil? #3
Read: “Paul’s Spiritual Genius” Much of the spiritual life is paradox. A major one is that we find life through death (John 12:24). Necessary suffering and disorder clean the lens of our vision, enabling us to see clearly. For Paul, … Continue reading
Posted in Engage, Uncategorized
Comments Off on Engage: What Do We Do with Evil? #3
Christ: Christ is in All #1
“All Means All” Christ is in everyone and everything—no exceptions, from the smallest particle to the farthest star. John put it this way, “Everything came into being through the Word” (John 1:3). Nothing and no one excluded. We do not … Continue reading
Posted in Christ
Comments Off on Christ: Christ is in All #1
Engage: What Do We Do with Evil? #2
Read: “The World, the Flesh, and the Devil” This short chapter is packed with insight. Taking the threefold paradigm of historic moral theology, Rohr sets the trajectory for what he develops in the rest of the book. When the world, … Continue reading
Posted in Engage
Comments Off on Engage: What Do We Do with Evil? #2
Along the Way: Oneness & Oneing
The Day of Pentecost is often called the birthday of the Church, and there is a sense in which that is true. More on that below. But a look at the text itself (Acts 2:1-21) shows that it was the … Continue reading
Posted in Along the Way
Comments Off on Along the Way: Oneness & Oneing
Christ: Christ is All #2
“Christ in Everyone & Everything” Continuing our look at Paul’s first three words about Christ, it is important to make clear he was not trying to impose Christianity on any other religion. Rather, he was recognizing the presence of Christ … Continue reading
Posted in Christ
Comments Off on Christ: Christ is All #2
Engage: What Do We Do with Evil? #1
Read: Introduction Today we begin our common reading of Richard Rohr’s book, ‘What Do We Do with Evil?’ I join with you in praying that our experience will be a means of grace. I have heard from a few of … Continue reading
Posted in Engage
Comments Off on Engage: What Do We Do with Evil? #1
New UMC: Normal New
Not long after the pandemic began, and church changed in all sorts of ways, people began to ask, “How long before we get back to normal?” The question morphed into the sense that some things have changed permanently, and that … Continue reading
Posted in UMC
Comments Off on New UMC: Normal New
Christ: Christ Is All #1
“Jesus is Lord” The earliest Christian statement of faith was, “Jesus is Lord.” Paul’s words, “Chris is all” are another way of saying the same thing No matter how the first Christians said it, it was a radical affirmation, announcing … Continue reading
Posted in Christ
Comments Off on Christ: Christ Is All #1
Engage: The Transformation Pattern
Next week, we begin our common reading of Richard Rohr’s book, ‘What Do We Do With Evil?” Next week’s post (and each Monday thereafter) will serve as a guide for our group. But before we get into the details given … Continue reading
Posted in Engage
Comments Off on Engage: The Transformation Pattern
Along the Way: Another Inquisition
Jeannie and I have stood in the Plaza Mayor in Madrid. I imagine some of you reading this have as well. It was one of the main locations (there were many others across Europe) for the Inquisition. [1] Alleged infidels … Continue reading
Posted in Along the Way
Comments Off on Along the Way: Another Inquisition
Site Update: New LGBTQ+ Resource
On the Oboedire home page, you will find the “LGBTQ+ Resources” icon at the top of the page. I have added an outline entitled, “All Means All: A Wesleyan Theology of LGBTQ+ Affirmation.” It utilizes the Wesleyan quadrilateral as the … Continue reading
Posted in Site Updates
Comments Off on Site Update: New LGBTQ+ Resource
Christ: All Means All
[Note: As this series unfolds, just a reminder that I am writing it because I believe that Christology is not an abstract theologizing, but rather is at the heart of the new Awakening. This series will, over time, develop a … Continue reading
Posted in Christ
Comments Off on Christ: All Means All
Along the Way: Now More Than Ever
Recently on a phone call with a former student who is struggling spiritually, I said to him, “I am more in love with Christ than I have ever been.” I spoke the words as an encouragement to him; the words … Continue reading
Posted in Along the Way
Comments Off on Along the Way: Now More Than Ever
Engage: A New Awakening
Last week I stated my conviction that we are living in a new Awakening. [1] I also refer to our time as “living in a Micah moment” (Micah 6:8.) It is a time of global crisis brought on by imperialism … Continue reading
Posted in Engage
Comments Off on Engage: A New Awakening
Oboedire 