Category

Many United Methodists nationwide have reacted with dismay to the recent action of the General Conference, which, instead of “finding the way forward” concerning our church’s stance on human sexuality, took a bad stumble backwards. Some are talking schism, and many are concerned... Read More →

At the recent General Conference of the United Methodist Church, a narrow majority of the delegates upheld church rules stating that “the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching.” The traditionalists who voted that way typically claimed that they were... Read More →

What sort of people should we welcome to church? In Old Testament days, the emphasis was on spiritual purity, and so the people of Israel were called to separation. Jews were to be separate from Gentiles. No Gentiles were allowed in the temple. Men were to be separate from women.... Read More →

Today, January 29, Asia Bibi was fully acquitted after an appeal of her case. I referred to the case of Asia Bibi last fall, when the Supreme Court of Pakistan first acquitted her of charges stemming from a 2010 conviction. Asia, a young Christian woman, had been condemned to... Read More →

A key Biblical commandment is to welcome the stranger. As the book of Hebrews put it, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so some have entertained angels unawares.”  (Hebrews 13:2) The reference is to Abraham, who welcomed three strangers who showed up... Read More →

Paul in his letter to the Galatians put forth a list of fifteen sinful behaviors—fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing.”  (Galatians 5:19-21) It is notable that... Read More →