United Methodeviations is now FaithQuest Revisited. Late last century, I created a Bible Study for The United Methodist Church called FaithQuest. Now, in retirement, I revisit key concepts of Christian discipleship and spiritual formation from a progressive, ecumenical, interfaith, political and cultural perspective.
Food For Thought
This Russian classic, first released in 1884, still resonates, inspires, and educates. From this, the simple version of the Jesus Prayer emerged – “Lord, Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.” In my meditations and when I exercise, I modify this prayer to “Lord, Jesus Christ, teach mercy to me,” often inserting “patience,” “justice,” “kindness,” and “wisdom” for “mercy.”
A Different Set of Eyes
Just War
If you hear warmongers trying to sell what the United States is doing in Iran as a “just war,” especially when they use the Bible as justification? Call B.S.! Any first-year seminary student can tell you that what is happening now fails to meet even the most basic criteria for a just war, either historically or biblically. Just War Theory essentially says that there are times when a war must be fought, once all peaceful and diplomatic attempts have failed, and it can never be launched offensively, but only defensively or protectively. Usurping the Bible or prostituting the name of Christ can never justify an unjust war.
FaithQuest Revisited 