-
Join 848 other subscribers
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
- Hermeneutics
- 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
- Wesley Windows
- Year of Mercy
Archives
- February 2023
- January 2023
- December 2022
- 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
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
Christ: The Universal Christ
Revelation 1:8, 22:13 We begin our look at Christ using the most expansive words he spoke about himself. From these words we derive our belief in the cosmic Christ, universal in his excarnate and incarnate person and work. The words … Continue reading
Posted in Christ
Comments Off on Christ: The Universal Christ
Engage: Heading Toward the Light
Without reminding you about things you already know, I begin by saying we are likely in for hard times. I expect this will occur on multiple fronts…all at once. We are living in trying and dangerous times. I do not … Continue reading
Posted in Engage
Comments Off on Engage: Heading Toward the Light
Christ: An Amazing Revelation
John 20:30, 21:25 Writings about Christ begin in various ways. I choose to begin this series using the word ‘amazing.’ I take my cue from John, who gathered up his experience of Christ with this sentiment and testimony. I say … Continue reading
Posted in Christ
Comments Off on Christ: An Amazing Revelation
Engage: Introduction
Living in a New Awakening means living in a time of disorder. [1] The twisting and turning leaves us hopeful some days, and discouraged on other days. It helps explain the two aspects of faith the writer of Hebrews wrote … Continue reading
Posted in Engage
Comments Off on Engage: Introduction
New UMC: Withness
This is the final post in this series, at least in the sense of an opening round of posts. I may add to it as time goes by. I have written with the confidence that the new UMC has a … Continue reading
Posted in UMC
Comments Off on New UMC: Withness
New UMC: Movement Networking
In the previous post in this series I wrote that a movement mindset in the new UMC will produce a renewed commitment to locality. In the Wesleyan tradition this intention is not toward independence, but remains in the context of … Continue reading
Posted in UMC
Comments Off on New UMC: Movement Networking
The New UMC: Movement Locality
Thinking of the new UMC as a third-order movement gives us the opportunity to combine two key dynamics: locality and networking. Early Methodism expressed both, and so can we. In this post we’ll look at Wesleyan locality. In the next … Continue reading
Posted in UMC
Comments Off on The New UMC: Movement Locality
New Awakening: Exile
From the day after Easter until Advent, we live in two seasons of the Christian year (Eastertide and Pentecost). In this longest stretch of our liturgical journey, we say “the risen Christ is with us.” It is summed up in … Continue reading
Posted in New Awakening, Uncategorized
Comments Off on New Awakening: Exile
The New UMC: Becoming a Movement (Again)
The UMC resources I listed recently in this series have revived my conviction that the way forward for the new UMC includes recovering a movement mindset. I am in agreement with those who believe the Wesleys intentionally designed Methodism as … Continue reading
Posted in UMC
Comments Off on The New UMC: Becoming a Movement (Again)
Christ: Sources for the Series
I expect this series will go on for awhile, so before I dive into it, I want to let you know the sources which have formed me with respect to Christ. Maybe it’s the teacher in me that motivates me … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Comments Off on Christ: Sources for the Series
The New UMC: Resourcing the Renewal of Hope
The renewal of hope is a radical task. With respect to the new UMC, it means the re-formation of our identity. We have lost this internally and in the society as we have been consumed with debates, differences, and division. … Continue reading
Posted in UMC
Comments Off on The New UMC: Resourcing the Renewal of Hope
Christ: The Heart of It All
Yesterday, Christians around the world exclaimed, “He is risen! He is risen indeed!” We are an Easter people, those who embrace Christ’s promise “because I live, you shall live also” (John 14:19). On this day after Easter we say, “the … Continue reading
Posted in Christ
Comments Off on Christ: The Heart of It All
Along the Way: Reconciliation
Midway through Holy Week I am connecting the redemptive work of Christ with something Thomas Aquinas wrote. They both shed light on the word ‘reconciliation.’ On Friday of Holy Week, the grand clarification occurred. Aquinas wrote, “a mistake in our … Continue reading
Posted in Along the Way
Comments Off on Along the Way: Reconciliation
The New UMC: Making Hope Real
When we envision a “future filled with hope’ for the United Methodist Church, we often do so using renewal language. And while there is “fire” in using renewal language, there is also the danger that the fire will go out. … Continue reading
Posted in UMC
Comments Off on The New UMC: Making Hope Real
The New UMC: A Future Filled With Hope
[Note: I have written in the “UMC” category here on Oboedire for years. Today’s post in this category is focused on the new UMC which is already taking shape, but does so more formally on May 1st when the Global … Continue reading
Posted in UMC
Comments Off on The New UMC: A Future Filled With Hope
Along the Way: The Unsettling Bible
Once in a while someone will say, “The Bible says it. I believe it. That settles it.” There was a time when I spoke the words. They almost always are said in a defense of Scripture and as a declaration … Continue reading
Posted in Along the Way
Comments Off on Along the Way: The Unsettling Bible
Along the Way: You Can’t Handle the Truth
The prophetic message to fallen-world priests and potentates can be summed up in the line taken from the movie “A Few Good Men”—”you can’t handle truth.” Walter Brueggemann writes powerfully about this in a recent blog. I have attached it … Continue reading
Posted in Along the Way
Comments Off on Along the Way: You Can’t Handle the Truth
Rebuild My Church: The Re-Formative Paradigm
Richard Foster has given us many gifts of inspiration, insight, and instruction. Among them I find his renewal paradigm to be especially important in this time of New Awakening. He describes it in three words: vision, intention, and means. [1] … Continue reading
Posted in Rebuild My Church
Comments Off on Rebuild My Church: The Re-Formative Paradigm
Wesley’s Way: A Comprehensive Hermeneutic #2
[Note: today I resume this series after lying dormant since 2013. I hope you will go back and read the earlier posts archived on the home page sidebar. They deal with important ideas related to Wesleyan spirituality that I will … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Comments Off on Wesley’s Way: A Comprehensive Hermeneutic #2
Rebuild My Church: Introduction
With this post, I am beginning a new occasional series here on Oboedire. On the one hand, I am doing it so that the existing “Along the Way” series can remain the means for exploring the spiritual life in its … Continue reading
Posted in Rebuild My Church
Comments Off on Rebuild My Church: Introduction
Along the Way: Treasures Old and New
Jesus described transformation as bringing forth treasures old and new (Matthew 13:52). The context of this idea is that the kingdom of God is a treasure, sometimes hidden, but never non-existent (Matthew 13:44). In this context, Jesus said that disciples … Continue reading
Posted in Along the Way, UMC
Comments Off on Along the Way: Treasures Old and New
Along the Way: The Transforming Union
In my post entitled, “Press On,” I re-emphasized the need (my need) to resist evil by practicing the better—that is, by overcoming evil with good. This post builds upon that idea.. Today, I want to write about the starting point … Continue reading
Posted in Along the Way
Comments Off on Along the Way: The Transforming Union
Along the Way: Press On!
In my post, “Parting Words & Words of Witness” (now viewed about 8,000 times), I simultaneously made a point and recovered a lesson. The point is in the post itself, and you can read it if you have not already … Continue reading
Posted in Along the Way
Comments Off on Along the Way: Press On!
UMC: The Future United Methodist Church….Is Now
Note: I posted this on Facebook on March 5th. Given the inquiries I have received the past three days related to resources, I am posting it again here on Oboedire… I received the announcement that the Global Methodist Church will … Continue reading
Posted in UMC
Comments Off on UMC: The Future United Methodist Church….Is Now
Oboedire Anew!
In the past two days nearly 7,500 people have visited Oboedire. More than fifty new people have subscribed to Oboedire, and will now receive writings automatically. Others have also found it, and have been in touch to tell me they … Continue reading
Posted in Site Updates
Comments Off on Oboedire Anew!
Along the Way: Parting Words & Words of Witness
On May 1st, the Global Methodist Church will officially begin, and some congregations will disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church, the first wave of a separation process that will take years to complete. I will not be going with them, … Continue reading
Posted in Along the Way, UMC
Comments Off on Along the Way: Parting Words & Words of Witness
Shepherd’s Care: Go To Your Place of Wonder
[This post arises from the wearying challenges many of my clergy friends are facing these days. If you are among them, I hope you find this encouraging. If you know a clergyperson who is troubled and tired, feel free to … Continue reading
Posted in Shepherd's Care
Comments Off on Shepherd’s Care: Go To Your Place of Wonder
Along the Way: Just Say Evil
Theodicy—there, I said it. The problem of evil—it’s what the word means. The problem of evil—there certainly is one, actually many problems. The problem of evil—when and how to talk about it as a Christian? That’s the question I hope … Continue reading
Posted in Along the Way
Comments Off on Along the Way: Just Say Evil
Along the Way: Surviving on Lies
In her acceptance speech of President Biden’s nomination to be the next Supreme Court Justice, Ketanji Brown Jackson promised to uphold the rule of law and defend the Constitution. But it was not enough to curb the ire of rightwing … Continue reading
Posted in Along the Way
Comments Off on Along the Way: Surviving on Lies