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Commonsense Christianity

“But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, ‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.'” (Luke 15:2) One of many accusations leveled against Jesus by religious leaders was that He consorted — and actually seemed to enjoy being — with sinners. By virtue of His association with “those people,” Jesus acquired the appellation…

“If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well.” (John 14:7) The 1980s was a big time in establishment Christianity, and as college students, my husband the Norwegian Artist and I attended the closest thing to a mega-church the upper Pacific Northwest had to offer. There were 800 members, all really cool…

“John answered, ‘The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.”‘ Luke 3:11 Arguing with people rarely produces a result acceptable to either party, and arguing with a determined, strongly opinionated woman (aren’t we all?) in the library is definitely not wise.…

“‘What should we do then?’ the crowd asked.” Luke 3:10 If you’re a Christian, and you’ve got a question about the Bible, your place in the world, or what our Father wants you to do with your life, be assured that, no further than your local church, is a kicky little book to instruct you, and a…

“When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.” (2 Timothy 4:13) A central aspect of the gospel — which means “good news” — is that the news, indeed, should be good. Believing in and following Christ is meant to be a positive thing, with positive,…

“Jesus sent him away, saying, ‘Return home and tell how much God has done for you.’ So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.” (Luke 8:38-39) Within polite Christian religious circles, we share coffee and doughnuts in the back of the sanctuary with a herd of massive,…

“Live a life worthy of the Lord and . . . please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power.” (Colossians 1:11) It’s difficult to take a breath or two without being assailed by some great politically religious name, purporting to speak for…

“You are precious and honored in my sight, and . . . I love you.” (Isaiah 43:4) We are celebrating a spate of birthdays in our household these days, events that don’t necessarily stop with cake. The person of honor is free from all household work on his or her day; the breakfast and dinner menu…

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!” Revelation 3:15 The Biblical book of Revelation, despite assurances from those who make movies about it, is a complicated book, and there is no certainty as to what the End Times will look like, when…

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) I know a number of people who work on Sundays. One of them, a waitress, described a recent interaction with a diner, a church-goer who was ordering lunch after a morning round of worship service and Sunday School:…
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