"At the heart of John’s kingdom theology is God’s love revealed in the death of his Son, the Lamb, the Messiah. This is conquest, but by love. This is power, but in weakness. This is kingship, but in self-giving suffering for others." Wright & Bird (For the full quote, click the link below.)
Tag: violence
Bible Note #66: God’s Big Vision in Jesus
"Help us to display the humility and compassion of the heart of Jesus, which is far more powerful than anything the “great ones” of the earth put on display. Lift our small vision above our own small borders, so that we might catch a vision of your all-encompassing, world-transforming goodness. Amen."
Pastor Note #143: Coercion & the Kingdom of God
Here’s an important diagnostic question for American Christians to ask themselves: “Does my vision for the kingdom of God rely on coercively imposing righteousness on my neighbors?” Said another way, “Do I see the kingdom of God as something that should be forced upon people against their will? Are people coerced into the kingdom of God or invited into it?”
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)
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.
Quote of Note #208: Compassion as Social Critique
"Thus the compassion of Jesus is to be understood not simply as a personal emotional reaction but as a public criticism in which he dares to act upon his concern against the entire numbness of his social context." W. Brueggemann
Quote of Note #184: The Power of the Cross or the Power of the Sword?
"American Christian nationalism calls us to take up the power of the sword, gain more power, and use it to protect and promote our way of life. Jesus calls us to take up our cross and use our power to serve others, especially those who are not like us. When things seem out of control, … Continue reading Quote of Note #184: The Power of the Cross or the Power of the Sword?
Quote of Note #182: Holy Spirit-Empowered Non-violence
"I quickly came to understand that non-violence takes more strength than violence--and it takes more than just human strength. It takes God's strength working in human beings to produce self-control, gentleness, and the other fruit of the Holy Spirit. God's power comes in our weakness and brokenness." John M. Perkins, Dream With Me: Race, Love, … Continue reading Quote of Note #182: Holy Spirit-Empowered Non-violence
Gary Chorpenning's Notebooks 