(“Doubting Thomas,” by Italian painter Caravaggio, 1601-02) Christianity teaches that God shows himself to humans in two ways: General Revelation, the evidence that can and should be seen by every person who looks at the natural world and thinks about where it all came from, what it means and how it impacts their life: “The […]
In the many discussions we’ve been having about the persistent protests since George Floyd’s death at the hands of police, there’s been a great deal of discussion about systemic racism. Some of my White friends have recoiled from that phrase with the response, “I’m not a racist.” They don’t seem to understand that systemic racism […]
The Bible’s teaching about The Kingdom of God is hard for us to understand and apply today for two reasons: (1) We who live in a democratic society have a hard time understanding what it’s like to live in a kingdom (unless we binge watch Masterpiece Theater). We have some modern examples of kingdoms, but […]
The events of the past three weeks have thrust us into the often uncomfortable conversation about race. Many White people, protected by our status as the “norm” of American society, have not had to navigate racial landmines every day as people of color do. So when a landmine blows up and a conversation is thrust upon us, […]
by Emy Lallana Reitz Breathing should be easy and unobstructed. It is horrifying not to be able to catch your breath. We know what happened to George Floyd. He stopped breathing because a Minneapolis Police Officer’s knee was pressed into his neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. As a consequence of this unacceptable behavior, […]
Those are the words I heard myself mumbling when I turned away from the COVID-19 punch only to be socked from the other side by the aftershock of police brutality to George Floyd. I realized i was singing under my breath a line from a Tennessee Ernie Ford song I learned as a kid.* But […]
Part of last Sunday’s on-line ABC Worship Service was a dialog prayer by Deacon Chair Phyllis Blackwood Henderson and Pastor George Van Alstine.* After reviewing the awful reminders of the raw evidence of America’s racism during the past week, they brought these requests to the Lord: George: Lord, we’re asking for your grace and healing, […]
We’ve gathered some supportive notes people have delivered to ABC the last couple of weeks. Enjoy! I miss you all each Sunday. Love you, Juanita DeVaughn Thank you all for what you are doing to adapt during this difficult time. God Bless, Eileen Pino Pastors and Leaders – Thank you for your every effort to […]
The last book of the Bible, known popularly as Revelation, is the journal of a series of visions the Apostle John had when he was a very old man. His Lord Jesus had been gone from the earth for more than sixty years, and fellow apostles Peter and Paul had died thirty years earlier. John […]
Two weeks ago, I wrote a Messenger article suggesting that we all think about the “New Normal” God has in store for us on the other side of this stay-at-home phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. I said that my plan was to take some practical steps forward in following the Two Great Commandments Jesus talked […]