Author Archives: Steve Harper

About Steve Harper

Dr. Steve Harper is retired seminary professor, who taught for 32 years in the disciplines of Spiritual Formation and Wesley Studies. Author and co-author of 45 books. He is also a retired Elder in The Florida Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.

At the Gate: Beyond Beliefs

Posted on January 13, 2023 by Steve Harper

Sitting at the gate, I see how my concept of belief has been distorted through the lens of the Enlightenment. [1] The distortion is not easy to describe because over time it has manifested itself in the Church in a … Continue reading →

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Wesley Windows: Introduction

Posted on January 9, 2023 by Steve Harper

A window is a place to stand or sit and look out on a larger reality. The Wesleys lived and ministered in ways that have become windows through which we can see life in Christ and live it inwardly and … Continue reading →

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At the Gate: Imagineers

Posted on January 2, 2023 by Steve Harper

Sitting at the gate, I see how life is enriched by imagination. Living about halfway between Disney World and the Kennedy Space Center, I follow the news media which is ripe with stories that chronicle the ventures of those who … Continue reading →

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Oboedire 2023

Posted on January 1, 2023 by Steve Harper

Happy New Year! Here we are, at the start of a journey into 2023. I pray that it will be a good year for you, and I hope that Oboedire will play a small role in making it so. Accordingly, … Continue reading →

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At the Gate: Inviting Space

Posted on December 23, 2022 by Steve Harper

Sitting at the gate, we experience the sacredness of space. Some see space as protective, living with a “keep your distance” mentality. And of course, there are times when that’s good advice. In a dangerous world, space can be a … Continue reading →

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At the Gate: Re-Framing

Posted on December 7, 2022 by Steve Harper

Sitting at the gate, we have the opportunity to see things differently and use the new sight to grow inwardly and outwardly. The biblical word for this is repentance, looking at life in a larger perspective (metanoia). But it is … Continue reading →

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At the Gate: Wholeness, Our Hope & Work

Posted on December 3, 2022 by Steve Harper

[Note: The length of this post indicates the degree of importance that I give to the topic of wholeness. The longer-than-usual footnote list is meant to take you much farther into the topic than a blog can do.] Sitting at … Continue reading →

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At the Gate: Word Wounding

Posted on November 22, 2022 by Steve Harper

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 →

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At the Gate: Woke Does Not Die

Posted on November 21, 2022 by Steve Harper

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 →

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At the Gate: Jesus Enlarged and Enriched

Posted on November 19, 2022 by Steve Harper

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 →

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New UMC: The Future is Now

Posted on November 5, 2022 by Steve Harper

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 →

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Oboedire at 75

Posted on October 22, 2022 by Steve Harper

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 →

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Along the Way: Healthy Religion

Posted on September 12, 2022 by Steve Harper

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 →

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Along the Way: Communion Spirituality

Posted on September 7, 2022 by Steve Harper

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0qyM6YasZMYWo8tyiF31pAEGbd1NxnEZFfdaTUUf6rJntZDCH7o7ywpkfFu489PvBl&id=100005882705385&sfnsn=mo

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Along the Way: Theological Diversity

Posted on August 31, 2022 by Steve Harper

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 →

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“Engage” Meeting Tomorrow

Posted on August 24, 2022 by Steve Harper

I’m looking forward to meeting with you tomorrow (Thursday) at Noon (ET).

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Engage: What Do We Do with Evil? #13

Posted on August 22, 2022 by Steve Harper

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 →

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Along the Way: Soulship Enterprise

Posted on August 15, 2022 by Steve Harper

“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 →

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Engage: What Do We Do with Evil? #12

Posted on August 15, 2022 by Steve Harper

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 →

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Along the Way: No-name God

Posted on August 14, 2022 by Steve Harper

“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 →

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Engage: What Do We Do with Evil? #11

Posted on August 12, 2022 by Steve Harper

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 →

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Christ: Christ is All in All #6

Posted on August 2, 2022 by Steve Harper

“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 →

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Engage: What Do We Do with Evil? #10

Posted on August 1, 2022 by Steve Harper

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 →

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Christ: Christ is All and in All #5

Posted on July 28, 2022 by Steve Harper

“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 →

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Engage: What Do We Do With Evil? #9

Posted on July 25, 2022 by Steve Harper

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 →

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Wesley’s Way: The Grand Reunion

Posted on July 23, 2022 by Steve Harper

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 →

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Along the Way: When Deception Becomes Reality

Posted on July 22, 2022 by Steve Harper

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 →

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Christ: Christ is in All #4

Posted on July 21, 2022 by Steve Harper

“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 →

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Along the Way: A Hard Look on the Inside

Posted on July 19, 2022 by Steve Harper

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 →

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Engage: What Do We Do With Evil? #8

Posted on July 18, 2022 by Steve Harper

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 →

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Along the Way: We See You!

Posted on July 15, 2022 by Steve Harper

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 →

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Engage: Zoom Tomorrow

Posted on July 14, 2022 by Steve Harper

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 →

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Engage: What Do We Do with Evil? #7

Posted on July 11, 2022 by Steve Harper

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 →

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Christ: Christ is in All #3

Posted on July 6, 2022 by Steve Harper

“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 →

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Engage: What Do We Do with Evil? #6

Posted on July 4, 2022 by Steve Harper

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 →

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Along the Way: The Hard Work of Hope”

Posted on July 1, 2022 by Steve Harper

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 →

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Engage: What Do We Do with Evil? #5

Posted on June 27, 2022 by Steve Harper

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 →

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Along the Way: Full-Spectrum Reality

Posted on June 23, 2022 by Steve Harper

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 →

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Engage: What Do We Do with Evil? #4

Posted on June 20, 2022 by Steve Harper

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 →

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Along the Way: Oppression in Operation

Posted on June 17, 2022 by Steve Harper

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 →

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Christ: Christ is In All #2

Posted on June 16, 2022 by Steve Harper

“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 →

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New UMC: We Believe!

Posted on June 15, 2022 by Steve Harper

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 →

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Along the Way: What About the Bible?

Posted on June 13, 2022 by Steve Harper

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 →

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Engage: What Do We Do with Evil? #3

Posted on June 13, 2022 by Steve Harper

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 →

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Christ: Christ is in All #1

Posted on June 7, 2022 by Steve Harper

“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 →

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Engage: What Do We Do with Evil? #2

Posted on June 6, 2022 by Steve Harper

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 →

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Along the Way: Oneness & Oneing

Posted on June 5, 2022 by Steve Harper

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 →

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Christ: Christ is All #2

Posted on May 31, 2022 by Steve Harper

“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 →

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Engage: What Do We Do with Evil? #1

Posted on May 30, 2022 by Steve Harper

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 →

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New UMC: Normal New

Posted on May 26, 2022 by Steve Harper

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 →

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