Category Archives: suffering

Was Jesus Omniscient?

Posted on July 2, 2018 by jesuswithoutbaggage

Many people seem to think that Jesus had the total mind of God while on earth. But is this true? Should we think that when Jesus was placed in the manger he looked around and thought, ‘Well here I am; … Continue reading →

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Posted in Jesus, resurrection, suffering | Tagged , , | 28 Comments

5 Ways Christian Patriarchy Harms Men

Posted on November 13, 2017 by jesuswithoutbaggage

It is easy to understand how Christian patriarchy harms women, but it might not be so clear how patriarchy harms men. Patriarchy is a religious belief in which women must submit to their husbands, who are heads of their homes, … Continue reading →

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Posted in authority, behavior, suffering | Tagged , , | 42 Comments

48 Short, Specific Suggestions on Loving Others as We Love Ourselves

Posted on January 9, 2017 by jesuswithoutbaggage

In my previous post, I talked about Loving Others in 2017, which provides the general background for today’s post, and if you have not read it (or wish to reread it) you can click the link above. Today’s post is … Continue reading →

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Posted in behavior, God, love, love your enemies, suffering | Tagged , | 22 Comments

Are Our Sins Gone as though They Never Happened? In One Sense–No

Posted on May 9, 2016 by jesuswithoutbaggage

Justified! It is a wonderful truth that we are justified by Jesus: Some believers celebrate it with this homonym: ‘It is just if I’d never sinned!’ It’s cute and it’s catchy. But is it true? Are our sins gone as … Continue reading →

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Posted in alienation, love, sin, suffering | Tagged , , , , , , | 20 Comments

Original Sin or Original Self-Centeredness?

Posted on April 25, 2016 by jesuswithoutbaggage

Many Christians believe humanity is so broken, and nature so violent, because of Adam’s disobedience in the garden. They say the world was originally perfect but Adam ruined everything. Furthermore, all Adam’s descendants are born with ‘original sin’ and alienated … Continue reading →

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Posted in evolution, Jesus, love, original sin, sin, suffering | Tagged , , , , , | 48 Comments

“Should We Give Money to Bums on the Street Who Refuse to Work?”

Posted on January 27, 2016 by jesuswithoutbaggage

Of course this is a loaded question. When we meet people on the street asking for money, we can’t know whether they are bums who refuse to work. We don’t know their background, what brought them to this condition, whether … Continue reading →

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Posted in behavior, Jesus, love, suffering | Tagged , | 61 Comments

What Do We Expect God to Do to Prevent Suffering?

Posted on November 16, 2015 by jesuswithoutbaggage

Recently, a reader brought up perhaps the most difficult possible question about God. Multiplied millions of people, over thousands of years, have asked this same, very serious, question. You probably have asked it yourself—or at least thought deeply about it: … Continue reading →

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Posted in doubt, faith, God, suffering | Tagged , , , , | 24 Comments

How Can God Allow Suffering?

Posted on December 2, 2014 by jesuswithoutbaggage

Recently, I received a response from a reader extremely distressed that God allows suffering in the world. This was my reply (slightly edited, including her name). *** Beth, I was captured by your statement: “I can’t love a heavenly Father, … Continue reading →

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Posted in God, suffering | Tagged , , | 23 Comments

How Does Loving Others as Yourself Apply to Divorce?

Posted on August 25, 2014 by jesuswithoutbaggage

Living by religious rules is a poor substitute for living the principle of loving others as ourselves. Let’s consider the example of divorce. Divorce is looked upon as a despised condition among some Christians. The pastor I grew up under … Continue reading →

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Posted in behavior, legalism, love, suffering | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments

Loving Our Enemies—Tough Cases

Posted on November 12, 2013 by jesuswithoutbaggage

Previously I shared my thoughts, based on Jesus’ teaching, about valuing people over property and personal rights, and I talked about the Father’s loving attitude toward all of us even though we are broken and hurt each other. Yet, even … Continue reading →

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Posted in behavior, Jesus, suffering | Tagged , , , , , | 24 Comments

Living in a World of Pain, Suffering, and Alienation

Posted on September 5, 2013 by jesuswithoutbaggage

We realize it early in life. We are hungry; we become sick or disfigured; we lose our loved ones. We have pain—terrible pain, and it is not only physical pain but mental anguish. There is war, famine, and destruction by … Continue reading →

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Posted in alienation, Buddha, suffering | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Jesus Answers Our Suffering and Alienation

Posted on February 11, 2013 by jesuswithoutbaggage

Do you experience fear, suffering, and alienation? I think we can all agree that something is wrong. We all suffer and feel alienated. Jesus came to bring an answer to our suffering and alienation. He tells us how we can … Continue reading →

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Posted in alienation, eternal life, suffering, the invitation | 3 Comments

Something is Wrong

Posted on February 7, 2013 by jesuswithoutbaggage

Notice September 5, 2013 This article, Something is Wrong, has been revised and improved. It can now be found under its new title: Living in a World of Pain, Suffering, and Alienation

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Posted in alienation, Buddha, suffering | Tagged | 1 Comment