Tag Archives: Christianity

Politics and Religion — Not so Different

Posted on November 17, 2011 by Ron Goetz

Since you’re reading this, you are undoubtedly a person with strong convictions about politics and religion.  Religious and political organizations are naturally quite keen on emphasizing the differences between themselves and their opponents.  In this post I emphasize the similarities between … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 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

Sell Your Possessions

Posted on September 17, 2011 by Ron Goetz

It’s really quite simple. Let’s start with what Jesus said to his serious followers. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Sounds pretty clear to me. And fulfilling the Great Commission includes sharing this command with one another, with the unconverted, with every creature. Sell your possessions and … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Discipleship, Jesus, Repentance, Sanctification | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hebrew “Grind” Discussion Continued

Posted on August 14, 2011 by Ron Goetz

Some time ago R.J. Walker disagreed with what I said were three examples of “grind” used as a sexual metaphor in the Hebrew scriptures (Job 31:9-10; Judges 16:20-21; Lamentations 5:13). I want to apologize for not responding sooner. (If you are new to this … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Gay Christians, Homosexuality, Lesbians, Theology, Two Women Grinding Together | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Diversity and Conflict, Spiritual Gifts, and Homosexuality

Posted on August 7, 2011 by Ron Goetz

I have puzzled over conflict in the Body of Christ since I was in high school.  Love is supposed to guide and rule us, yet when I encounter hostile rhetoric I am sometimes tempted to jump in and “do battle.” For the last several … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Diversity, Homosexuality, Homosexuality and the Bible, Pastoral Ministry, Theology | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Jesus: Concrete Talk about Gays and Lesbians, not Abstract Labels

Posted on July 30, 2011 by Ron Goetz

As you know, most people believe that Jesus never mentioned homosexuality. Whether they believe that homosexuality is a sin worthy of hell or they believe that homosexuality is not a sin, they agree that Jesus never mentioned homosexuality. Actually, Jesus … Continue reading →

Posted in Homosexuality, Homosexuality and the Bible, Luke 17:34-35, Rapture, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Christians and Our Immigrant Neighbors

Posted on July 24, 2011 by Ron Goetz

Early on in their history the Jews were commanded, in the book of Leviticus, to love their neighbors. What is especially significant is that the neighbors they were commanded to love were the immigrants that lived in their cities and towns. The context of Jesus’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Zeus & Ganymede Logos Side-by-Side in Q Apocalypse

Posted on July 12, 2011 by Ron Goetz

In response to a commenter I did some more investigating into the Q source as it relates to Jesus’ acceptance of gay and lesbian believers in Luke 17.  I discovered something very interesting. As I have described elsewhere, the Q … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Jesus, The Q Apocalypse | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Wherever the σωμα is, there the αετοι will gather.

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Ron Goetz

There is some debate over how to translate Luke 17:37b. The question regards how to translate two words, σωμα and αετοι.  σωμα is the usual word for body, and αετοι is the usual word for eagles.  I believe that in this passage, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Jesus, The Q Apocalypse, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Anti-Homosexual Translator Bias

Posted on July 3, 2011 by Ron Goetz

As you may know, I’ve been laying out the case for gays and lesbians in Luke 17:34-35.  I’ve read a number of reactions to the fact that the verses can easily be understood to refer to gays and lesbians, and I’d like to focus … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Homosexuality, Jesus, Lesbians, Theology, Two Women Grinding Together | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments