Category Archives: alienation

Letter to an Anti-Gay Relative

Posted on January 14, 2019 by

A person recently asked for sample letters to convince an anti-gay Christian that they were wrong. I don’t think that is likely to help, so I submitted this… Dear Uncle Luke, I think you know you are very special and … Continue reading →

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Posted in alienation, behavior, gays, Jesus | Tagged , , , , , | 45 Comments

Belief in Angry God is Perhaps the Most Damaging, Misguided Christian Belief of All

Posted on October 1, 2018 by

What is more central to our religious experience than our relationship with God? But some believers understand their relationships with God much differently than others do. Most of us believe God loves us and cares about us. We even talk … Continue reading →

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Posted in alienation, fear, hell, Jesus, legalism, love, love your enemies, Old Testament, The Father | Tagged , , , , , | 44 Comments

5 Great Fears Believers Should Never Have

Posted on February 20, 2017 by

We mentioned before that many believers today are driven by fear—especially in very theologically conservative groups. This includes the fear of God, the fear of hell, the fear of making a mistake, the fear of being wrong, and the fear … Continue reading →

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Posted in alienation, doubt, faith, fear, God, hell, legalism | Tagged , | 93 Comments

How So Many Believers Completely Misunderstand God’s Love in John 3:16

Posted on January 23, 2017 by

I suppose most believers think John 3:16 is one of the most wonderful passages in the Bible—and I agree! This passage tells of God’s love for us in a very proactive way. This is why “John 3:16” is found everywhere: … Continue reading →

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Posted in alienation, baggage, God, hell, Jesus, love, The Father, the Good News | Tagged , , , | 48 Comments

Why ‘Love the Sinner; Hate the Sin’ is Opposite to Jesus’ Teaching

Posted on January 16, 2017 by

Have you heard believers say they ‘Love the sinner but hate the sin’? At least you likely have heard of them. In fact, they don’t love the ‘sinner’ at all—at least not the way Jesus loves people. As we read … Continue reading →

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Posted in alienation, Jesus, legalism, love, Pharisees, sin, sinners | Tagged , , , | 94 Comments

Loving Others with Empathy, Compassion, and Care this Year

Posted on January 4, 2017 by

A prominent part of Jesus’ message is that we should love others as we love ourselves. Sometimes, though, it is unclear how this plays out in practical terms. What does it even mean to love others as we love ourselves? … Continue reading →

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Posted in alienation, behavior, love, love your enemies | Tagged , , , , , , | 28 Comments

What does it Mean that Jesus Brings, not Peace, but a Sword?

Posted on September 12, 2016 by

Does Jesus come to bring, not peace, but a sword? According to Matthew 10 this is exactly what he says: Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, … Continue reading →

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Posted in alienation, hate, Jesus, Kingdom of God | Tagged , , , , | 30 Comments