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Monthly Archives: July 2011

Oslo bombing, Anders Breivik, Karl Barth and a prayer about faith without fundamentalism

Posted on July 25, 2011 by senseijfk

In his book The Humanity of God theologian Karl Barth wrote:  ”This much is certain, that we have no theological right to set any sort of limits to the loving-kindness of God which has appeared in Jesus Christ.  Our theological duty is to see and understand it as being still greater than we had seen before.” (p. 62)  I feel optimistic about the Christian faith when I hear a theologian … There’s more to read here.

Posted in Anders Breivik, fundamentalism, Karl Barth, Oslo bombing, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Can you love God without a political party? Freedom of the Self and ‘Republicanity’

Posted on July 18, 2011 by senseijfk

In the introduction to my book Freedom of the Self, I open with a story regarding Rembrandt’s famous 1642 painting “the Nightwatch” I heard while viewing it a few years ago in Amsterdam that frames—both literally and figuratively—my concern with the church today and, in particular, a misguided loss of personhood for many faithful people.

Those who have seen many of the 17th century Dutch master Rembrandt Harmenszoon … There’s more to read here.

Posted in church, culture, Freedom of the Self, Jesus, missional, Models of the Church, theology, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Pastor/Professor seeking Church – applications are now being accepted

Posted on July 16, 2011 by senseijfk

Lately I am in a slump regarding the local church.  I have been a pastor in a few different congregations and attended a number of churches in the US, UK and Europe.  I have had peek experiences and cringe worthy ones.  True, the call of the church is bigger than my experience and needs.  True, the marks of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church permeate the momentary concerns of … There’s more to read here.

Posted in belief, faith, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Summer Thought Outliers: quotes from Robert Capon and Robert Bresson

Posted on July 12, 2011 by senseijfk

Throughout the summer months I will be immersed in a couple of writing projects that turn up some interesting thoughts, quotes, aphorisms, and interesting turn of phrases. Some things will be incorporated into projects I am working on and others – ‘summer thought outliers’ if you will – might not have a home in a longer project but none the less stand out and deserve to be shared.  From time … There’s more to read here.

Posted in Robert Bresson, Robert Capon, Summer reading, Summer Thought Outliers, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Bidding ‘Adieu’ to the boy wizard: Harry Potter as ‘Shema’ and why Christians need to say thank you to JK Rowling

Posted on July 7, 2011 by senseijfk

July 15th, 2011 we “see” and “hear” the end of the Harry Potter saga in its final installment of the Warner Brothers movie franchise that began back in 2000 and with the close of the end credits the summation of one of the most enduring ‘coming of age’ tales in modern history.  By see and hear I underscore that the ending of the Harry Potter saga – Harry Potter and the Deathly … There’s more to read here.

Posted in belief, Deathly Hallows, faith, Fantasy Literature, Harry Potter, Imagination, JK Rowling, Shema, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

3 things to consider when heading to church on a Sunday morning… beyond ‘bored’ and ‘tired’

Posted on July 3, 2011 by senseijfk

I don’t remember who said it, but someone once commented that going to church can be summed up in this way:

For men, the word that comes to mind is “bored”

For women, the word that comes to mind is “tired”

Look around at the faces in the pews on Sunday and tell me if these descriptors are off-base.  Sure, there is energy in the sanctuary, but where is that … There’s more to read here.

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  © 2011 Jeff Keuss