Category Archives: Bible

“Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth”

Posted on July 11, 2012 by Ron Goetz

Just in, a joke from xnlover–just had to share it with you. One Sunday after church, a little girl asked her fundamentalist grandmother a question about the sermon. “Grandma, you know how, when they die, bad people go where there’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Liberal Parables, Parables | Tagged | 10 Comments

Jesus vs. Leviticus

Posted on June 23, 2012 by Ron Goetz

David Pickett, a FB friend, suggested I read an article alleging that Jesus condemned homosexuality since the Torah condemns it.  I’d like to share my response, which is different from some I’ve written in that it is short and sweet. There’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Homosexuality and the Bible, Leviticus | Tagged , , , | 28 Comments

James Dobson, Enough of Your unBiblical Propaganda — Hebrew Marriage Practiced with God’s Blessing and Provision

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Ron Goetz

Dr. James Dobson recently announced his choice of a fundamentalist candidate for president. His endorsement prompted me to pull up some old files. In a 1998 newsletter, “The Christian Response to the Homosexual Agenda,” he wrote: To change the definition of marriage from the exclusive union between … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Dobson Rhetoric, Point Loma Nazarene University | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

The Stoning of Baruch

Posted on January 14, 2012 by Ron Goetz

A Midrash on Leviticus 20:13 My name is Philemon ben Phalaris. I am a Jew from the town of Elasa. Jonathan is king in Jerusalem. A fortnight ago I walked out to the barn and saw my son, Baruch, and Nathan … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Homosexuality, Leviticus, Midrash | Tagged , | 13 Comments

The Great Minds

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Ron Goetz

Once upon a time there was a Land with Many Great Minds. They devoted themselves to a Huge Book, which had been written and edited by Hundreds of People over thousands of years. The Huge Book The Huge Book told how those hundreds of … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christendom, Liberal Parables, Parables, Theology | 2 Comments

“God hates your laughter, too, dearest. It’s not just me.”

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Ron Goetz

Once upon a time there was a newly wedded couple. The husband was happy with his bride and loved her very much. She was beautiful, modest, and smart. She spoke well, and–being deeply in love–she delighted in making her husband happy. There … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Homophobia, Jesus, Liberal Parables, Parables, Religion | Tagged , , | 15 Comments

Yes, they closed ranks. What did you expect?

Posted on November 22, 2011 by Ron Goetz

A couple of weeks ago I posted about my experience on a conservative Christian website. On that site I mainly discussed Luke’s Gay Apocalypse and the fact that we can no longer use the Torah to define sin. The post prompted the following reply from Christiaan … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Gay Christians, Repentance, Sanctification | Tagged , , , , , | 15 Comments

“The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved”

Posted on October 4, 2011 by Ron Goetz

Diane keeps reminding me, “When Christians talk about homosexuality no one wants to talk about the elephant in the room, the worry that Jesus might have been gay.” I’m not going to talk about that. What I actually know is that Jesus’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Homosexuality, Jesus | Tagged , , , , , , | 23 Comments

My Sister, Bible College, and Deprivileging Theology

Posted on September 24, 2011 by Ron Goetz

My sister was born with brain damage. The umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck.  The doctors waited 24 hours before deciding to perform an emergency C-section. This was fifty-two years ago, before the great advances in fetal monitoring and the massive … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christendom, Christianity, Life and Testimony, Theology | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

Revival and the Great Commission: our μετανοια vs our κοσμος

Posted on September 21, 2011 by Ron Goetz

Our problem with the Great Commission is really quite simple. I know most of you are familiar with the passage, but let me cite it, highlighting three words we have trouble with. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christendom, Repentance, Sanctification, UMC | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments