RoboPreacher

is every issue black or white     The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark, the tenth chapter! I'm sure you've all read or heard about how a couple of churches in our fine city have invited the investigation of the IRS. The Internal Revenue Service has turned their gaze upon these two congregations for posters, pamphlets and sermons that have been broadcasted at these churches.   Apparently for a few leaders at these congregations, the reality of faithful and committed homosexuals receiving equal civic rights is an issue they must speak up about. In fact, the two church leaders interviewed by the Hawk Eye about the issue came across as quite unapologetic. They are so committed to this issue that not only is strong-arming those in the pews appropriate for these gentlemen, but one pastor even felt justified using a violent metaphor.     Now, as their actions gain the attention of the broader public and the IRS, we will see if their tune c...

that no more tears can leave us   Octoberis Domestic Violence Awareness Month.   Thestatistics are staggering . So many people are affected.   All too often the church is complicit in this form of violence. Worse though, the church is not merely complicit in this violence, often the church is active in legitimating a particular form of domestic violence. There are biblical injunctions that the woman should be subordinate to a man. To see how this patriarchal injunction gets played-out in a patriarchal society read this 10/15 Burlington (Iowa) Hawk Eye article.   Mr. Youngblood's words are violent, whether he and the church disavow such violence now or not. These words display an assumption that a woman should stand in fear of her husband and always acquiesce to the husband's opinion.   These words are tragic. The worldview these words promote are archaic. The violence these words sanction are real for too many women. ...

embraces in the street       The Holy Gospel According to St. Mark, thetenth chapter!   Like last week, we have a question projected. This question is a part of our stewardship campaign for the month. Last week we asked everyone to meditate on the ways that God has already blessed us with enough .   This week the questions are: What do we have "enough" of? and What can we give up to simplify our lives?   Now all of us in the stewardship committee know y'all aren't a bunch of millionaires here. Important note, though! If you are a secret millionaire come talk to me, I want to tell you about some exciting investment opportunities here at Trinity.   Presuming that no one will come up to let me know that actually they are secretly wealthy, the stewardship committee still thought this was an important question to ask during our stewardship formation month. Yes, it's not like we all have a bunch of extra habits ...

that i will see the light       Jesus'words in the Gospel this week are certainly demanding...   When the rich landowner asks Jesus how to inherit eternal life, Jesus tells this man to give everything away to the poor (who, presumably, he defrauded to build his wealth). Interpretations upon this pericope abound... (I paraphrase) Maybe when Jesus says it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is for a wealthy person to enter G-d's reign alludes to a gate in Jerusalem called "eye of the needle." Supposedly this gate (which has absolutely no archeological evidence) required that the camel unload everything to get through the gate. Or Perhaps this call to sell everything and give it to the poor only applies to this man. Jesus' categorical demand is that people leave whatever it is that keeps them from following.   And so on.   While neither of the two examples are particularly true to Je...

damaged goods   The HolyGospel According to St. Mark, the tenth chapter! I have a friend who has this annoying habit. He kills jokes. You see, when you start to tell a joke he starts asking questions.   I'll say something like, "Why did the chicken cross the road." And he will say, well what I want to know is how did that chicken get loose? No! That's not the point, I'll tell him. Trying to get back on track I'll say, let's just imagine the chicken has been free for a while. So , why did that chicken cross the road, I'll ask. And then he will come back with, what kind of a road is it. Is this a busy road in the city or a country road?   At this point I've just about lost my patience. Why? What does it matter, I'll ask. Never mind, it is a country road. So, why did this chicken that has been free for some time cross a country road, I'll try again. Then he will say something like, what time of day is ...