"I'm an old man, and this is one of my dreams: that my descendants will one day live in a land where people are quick to confess their wrongdoing and forgive the wrongdoing of others and are eager to build something beautiful together." J. Perkins (click link for full quote)
Tag: political divisions
Quote of Note #228: Vicious Political Leadership
"His fury is without restraint and without magnanimity--and aimed, not at checking the offense, but at starting a pogrom against the offender." D. L. Sayers
Prayer Note #70: Love instead of Anger, Fear, Violence, & Cruelty
“Lord, I live in a world of anger, fear, violence, and cruelty. It is hard for me not to be swept away and molded by these ugly passions that swirl around me. . . ."
Pastor Note #142: Violence & Cruelty in America: Who Is My Neighbor?
"This is a time when followers of Jesus must unwaveringly insist on love of neighbor as a core social value, a value that requires action. Followers of Jesus in America must assert themselves in making love of neighbor, with its firm rejection of cruelty and violence, the centerpiece of our engagement with the wider society." (click link to read the full essay)
Quote of Note #218: Love Without Limits
"Somehow we've developed the mind-set that to love one person or group, we have to hate another person or group. So we direct our love toward the groups we're part of--our families, our denominations, our political parties, our ethnic groups--and feel free to hate anyone outside these boxes." J. Perkins (to read the full quote, click link below)
Pastor Note #141: Getting My Bearing for These Times (Cont.): Rejecting Coercion
Coercion can never achieve the kingdom of God. I do not believe it is ever God’s desire or plan that any one group of Christians should aspire to get its hands on the levers of coercive governmental power and use that coercive power to impose its will on its unwilling neighbors. Again, coercion cannot and will never achieve the kingdom of God.
Pastor Note #140: Getting My Bearings in These Times, A Beginning
I am the recipient of the unconditional love, grace, and compassion of Jesus Christ. Therefore, my identity is based solely on the fact that Jesus has saved me and is saving me. My identity and my way of living are based exclusively on the fact that Jesus is Lord.
Quote of Note #196: Influencing Culture or Being Influenced by It
As a result, we are angrier and more divided within both our nation and our church than we have been in a very long time.
Bible Note #56: Mark 10:35-45 & Serving or Ruling Over
So, we’ve just come out of an election. Some Christian folks are delighted. Some Christian folks are despairing. Both are wrong because both are badly misguided. The first group—the delighted group—is delighted because they believe they now have their hands on the levers of power. The second group—the despairing group—is despairing because they believe they … Continue reading Bible Note #56: Mark 10:35-45 & Serving or Ruling Over
Quote of Note #180: The Christian & Partisan Politics
"In culturally polarized times, it can be tempting to find comfort in a partisan Christ who will place a halo over our politics. But the biblical Jesus calls us to renounce the world and follow him--to allow the gospel to lead us." Jonathan K. Dodson, The Unwavering Pastor: Leading the Church with Grace in Divisive … Continue reading Quote of Note #180: The Christian & Partisan Politics
Gary Chorpenning's Notebooks 