0041 Violence: Neutral Structures Part 3

In this last look at neutral structures, the question is considered whether the Christian is called to ever attack a neutral structure or the people that are part of or identified with the neutral structure.  In examining this, we come to the point of decision: to choose that which gives life, or that which brings death.  

2020-11-03

0040 Violence: Neutral Structures: In Defense

What is our role as Christians in terms of defending neutral structures? Can we ever support a structure carte-blanche?  It is correct to think that a structure represents God's plans in the world or God Himself?  

2020-10-27

In many cases, the position of a Christian should be easy to define when referring to certain types of structures.  In this episode, I being to analyze neutral structures and what our position, attitude and actions should be regarding these most common type of structures.  Some examples include businesses, governments, police and armed forces.  

2020-10-21

0038 Violence: Evil Structures

What is to be done about evil structures?  Ironically enough, this is possibly the clearest of all structures to deal with.  First and foremost is to differentiate between the structure and the people since our struggle is not against flesh and blood.  Ephesians 6 is our guide to stand.  

2020-09-22

0037 Violence: Good Structures

In the next few podcasts, I will be examining what our response as followers of Christ should be to violent and oppressive structures.  As frequently as not, good intentioned, necessary structures become misguided, oppressive and violent.  How does Jesus deal with them? 

2020-09-15

0036 Violence: How God treats a Structure

What can be learned by how God treated the Egyptians within the Egyptian empire as well as the Hebrews in the time of Exodus?  How does God judge a structure (in this case, the country under Pharaoh´s rule) and how does He judge the individuals within the country?  The answer may not be all that comforting, yet our response needs always be the same.  

2020-09-08

0035 Something Admirable Challenge

Introducing the Something Admirable Challenge (name is still a work in progress) to be revealed this Thursday.  But get ahead of the game and listen now!  How can we as followers of Christ bless and speak well of all people in this moment of such division and hatred?  This is a vehicle towards just such an effort.  

Stay tuned!!!

2020-09-01

0034 Violence: Structures

Being part of a group adds identity that is more than the identity of the individual.  This causes a certain justification within our minds for victims of violence that are identified with violent groups. In this podcast, I talk about the recent massacre in Samaniego, Colombia and the conflict there as a bridge point to understanding systemic violence. 

2020-08-25

0033 Violence: Definition of Violence and Oppression

Finally, a definition of violence, even if it is a bit anti-climatic.  Additionally, is oppression violence?  Is all violence oppression?  What does violence look like beyond individuals and in groups and systems?  Our initial response to these questions may reveal more about our current social status than our true core beliefs.  

2020-08-18

0032 Violence: Chaos and Monsters

As a beginning of systematic violence and also as a continuation of the concepts of libetry and order, chaos becomes the topic at hand.  What is chaos and how is it depicted biblically? What inhabits the environment of chaos and what is our role regarding chaos?

2020-08-11