Sep 19

  • joshbishop
    joshbishop added a text contribution An inclusive Jesus
    Why have I spent so much time and energy trying to make this verse say something other than what it clearly says? Like a lot of my friends (can I say my generation?), I was troubled by the exclusivity of Jesus. It's far more loving to be tolerant or inclusive or pluralist here—different paths leading to the top of the mountain, right? But then someone turned it upside down for me: It's not exclusive to point out the only way to salvation, and then make that way accessible to everyone.… Read more »

Sep 18

  • joshbishop
    joshbishop added a text contribution Forgiveness
    I've prayed the Lord's Prayer my whole life, but somehow I've missed it. God forgives our debts, and we forgive our debtors. Two separate transactions. But that's not what Jesus says. He makes it clear that whether or not we are forgiven is dependent on whether or not we forgive others. Look at Matt. 6:15: "If you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." And it shows up in other places, too — Mark 11:24, for exampl… Read more »