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Showing posts with the label A Theology for the Rest of Us

🏺 The Power of Kenosis: Emptying as Sacred Strength

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  Kenosis, from the Greek kenóō , means “to empty.” In Philippians 2:7, we read that Christ “emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant.” This isn’t theological abstraction—it’s a radical redefinition of power. 🌌 Divine Descent Kenosis reveals that God’s glory is not in domination, but in descent. Jesus, fully divine, chose not to cling to privilege. He entered the fragility of human life—not as a cosmic tourist, but as a servant. This voluntary self-emptying is not weakness—it’s the deepest kind of strength: love that refuses to self-protect. “Though he was in the form of God, he did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself…” —Philippians 2:6–7 (NRSV) 🧭 A Model for Living Kenosis isn’t just Christological—it’s invitational. Paul urges us to “let this mind be in you.” That means embracing humility, relinquishing control, and choosing service over status. In your household, Betty, kenosis might look like the quiet heroism of tending to som...

🌍 If God Exists, Why Is There Evil?

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  A Multifaith Reflection on Suffering and the Sacred It’s one of the oldest and most unsettling questions in human history: If God is good, why does evil persist? Why do the innocent suffer, the unjust thrive, and violence echo through generations? Every major religious tradition wrestles with this tension—not to solve it neatly, but to live with it faithfully. Here’s how some of them approach the paradox: ✝️ Christianity: Free Will and Redemptive Suffering Christian theology often frames evil as the consequence of human free will. God, in love, allows choice—even when that choice leads to harm. Suffering, while painful, can also be redemptive. The crucifixion of Christ is seen not as divine failure, but as a profound act of solidarity with human pain. Evil exists, but grace persists. πŸ•Š️ Islam: Divine Wisdom Beyond Human Understanding In Islam, everything happens by the will of Allah, but not all is meant to be understood. Evil and suffering are seen as tests—opportunities for pa...

πŸŒ… Eschatology and Promise: Living Toward the Horizon

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  Eschatology often conjures images of apocalypse, judgment, or cosmic upheaval. But at its heart, Christian eschatology is a theology of promise—a divine assurance that history bends toward restoration, not ruin. πŸ”­ The Horizon of Hope Eschatology invites us to live with the end in mind—not as a countdown to catastrophe, but as a compass pointing toward renewal. The promise of resurrection, the new creation, and the return of Christ reframes our present struggles. Pain is not the final word. Loss is not the last chapter. The horizon holds more than we can see. “The crucifixion of the subsequently resurrected Jesus… turns out to meet, in unexpected and suggestive ways, the puzzles of the ultimate questions asked by every culture.” —N.T. Wright, History and Eschatology source 🌱 Promise as Participation The eschatological promise isn’t passive. It calls us to participate in the unfolding of God’s future—through acts of justice, compassion, and community. In your household, ...