MSI Press Blog

  Arthur Yavelberg, author of  A Theology for the Rest of Us ,  recently came across an article he wrote for Home & Life ( Phoenix Star ) a couple of years ago that may resonate even more today.  Book description If God exists and is good, why is there evil? Avoiding such questions underlies the spiritual emptiness and anxiety in today's world. A Theology for the Rest of Us explores how to approach the divine through Eastern and Western religious traditions without dogma, challenging readers to "be you lamps unto yourselves." In a time of internecine wars and all kinds of abuse of authority and trust, too many good, thoughtful people are "voting with their feet" and turning away from organized religion. Popular "spirituality"-a sort of mysticism-lite articulated in memes-is often unsatisfying as well. A Theology for the Rest of Us is a straightforward approach to the fundamental questions of religion and philosophy: - Does God exist? - Is there f...

Christian theology is full of paradox, but few are as quietly transformative as the “already and not yet.” It’s the idea that God’s Kingdom has already broken into the world—and yet, it is not fully realized. We live in the overlap: between resurrection and restoration, between grace received and glory awaited. 🌾 Already: Seeds of the Kingdom We see glimpses of the “already” in every act of mercy, every moment of clarity, every healing that defies explanation. In your household, Betty, it might be the quiet resilience of a caregiver, the laughter shared across generations, or the sacred rhythm of communal prayer. These are not previews—they are real. They are the Kingdom, here and now. 🌘 Not Yet: The Ache of Incompletion And yet, we ache. Bodies fail. Systems oppress. Relationships fracture. The “not yet” reminds us that the world is still groaning, still waiting. It dignifies our longing. It gives us permission to lament without losing hope. “We are living between the resurrect...

  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. 🔭 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, ...