God of Mercy
(Romans Series, part 10)Paul seeks to forge a way of compassion and mercy, turning away from the purist and legalistic way, celebrating the Sacred presence that brings gentleness to an increasingly brutal world.listen
Continue readingGod Here Now
(Romans Series, part 9)Paul is addressing the fundamental mystery of God’s action. We believe that God is acting in history, among the human family, to fulfill the Divine purpose we are challenged profoundly to follow and trust God, moving in a new direction.listen
Continue readingGod for All
(Romans Series, part 8)Paul is attempting to forge a way to God for diverse people beyond the limits of Judaism. Today, we endeavour to transcend the restrictiveness of institutional religion to share the gospel in our secular world.listen
Continue readingEngaging the Powers
(Romans Series, part 7)As we struggle with what it means to live faithfully in the midst of Empire, we hear Paul’s words about struggling with the powers that take hold of our lives. Demons or angels, we have to learn to engage the powers.listen
Continue readingDoor to Life
(Romans Series, part 6)In Jewish terms, Jesus sacrifice fulfills, transforms and terminates the sacrificial tradition. In Jungian terms the engagement with the shadow is paradoxically the way to free ourselves from its power. In terms of empire, it is the way we step apart from the culture of domination and
Continue readingDeep Freedom
(Romans Series, part 5)Despite our talk of freedom, we are held captive by many forces. Out true freedom comes when the whole human familyfinds freedom together.listen
Continue readingOur True Pride
(Romans Series, part 4)Beyond all the egotism and arrogance of the world, what is genuine human worth and true dignity? listenThe poem, The Invitation, by Oriah Mountain Dreamer, is available on her website.
Continue readingRadical Trust
Abram and Sarai are called by God to a distant land. This is an act of trust on God’s part as much as it is on theirs. God calls them to be bearers of blessing in the world. Jesus reaches out to those on the margins in response to the
Continue readingUnlimited Grace
(Romans Series, Part 3)Paul recalls the Genesis story of Abraham’s blessings and uses it to demonstrate the universality of this abundant grace, blessing, and promise we have now in Christ. Today, this universality can been seen in support of our society reclaiming a public spirituality in all dimensions of life.
Continue readingThe Law of Faith
(Romans Series, part 2)Paul’s classic statement of the righteousness of God by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ (or is it “faith in Jesus Christ”?!) for all who believe. Here to the end of the chapter represents an overture to the thesis of the entire epistle to the Romans. Thus we
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