Creative Space for Wanderers
Chapter 3 This chapter explores the love Jesus showed to the least in society as demonstrated by his actions. Much of the chapter focuses on the lowly position of children and the assertion that we must be like children when we approach Christ. Jesus taught this by His daily actions where he never held back from …
Continue reading “Ragamuffin Gospel: #3 – The Ragamuffin Gospel”
Chapter 2 An intriguing title for a chapter that forced me to look for an appropriate definition. It seems that Manning wants to help us focus on the constant, consistent, even monotonous theme we find throughout the Bible: God’s love. He loves us through creation, through the Fall, in our sinful nature, in our best and …
Continue reading “Ragamuffin Gospel: #2 – Magnificent Monotony”
Summary Many people believe Jesus was given a “divine promotion” after his crucifixion that he never claimed for himself. Contrary to that belief, the dramatic explosion of devotion to Jesus points back to his teachings as the source. The New Testament record affirms that Jesus was believed to be the Messiah and that Jesus’ followers …
Summary The opening story in this chapter depicts what appears to be a conflicting account of a tragic accident. This is ultimately resolved to show how both parts of the story were correct and sets the stage for improving our understanding of how the gospel accounts are told from different perspectives and how this actually …
Summary From Dawkins we read, “Today the theory of evolution is about as much open to doubt as the theory that the earth goes around the sun” (The Selfish Gene, 1976) and “It is absolutely safe to say that if you meet somebody who claims not to believe in evolution, that person is ignorant, stupid …
Continue reading “Ten Questions: #2 – Didn’t Evolution put God out of a job?”
Summary The chapter begins with Mittleberg’s story of how he met his wife and their loving relationship over the course of 20+ years. I wasn’t sure where he was going with that until he provided this insight: “But can I prove it to you? Can I show you our love for each other in a …
Continue reading “Ten Questions: #1 – What makes you so sure that God exists at all?”
The Questions Christians Hope No One Will Ask (with answers) The Questions Christians Hope No One Will Ask (with answers), by Mark Mittelberg Here are my notes on the referenced book to be used for group discussion. Introduction Right off the bat we’re reminded of 1 Peter 3:15-16, “…do this in a gentle and respectful way.” …
Chapter 1 In this chapter Manning provides a strong argument that the institutional church in America is moving in the wrong direction, with the wrong message and misguided leadership. “The institutional church has become a wounder of the healers rather than a healer of the wounded.” Far too much emphasis is being placed on “what …
Continue reading “Ragamuffin Gospel: #1 – Something is Radically Wrong”
Based on a Barna Group research study, Mark Mittelberg wrestles with some important questions for us to ponder. I’ve setup a page with my notes as an outline, not a substitute for the book! The Questions Christians Hope No One Will Ask (with answers) Thoughts about serving othersThis link includes a list of posts …