“Christianity stands or falls with its revolutionary protest against violence, arbitrariness and pride of power and with its apologia for the weak. – I feel that Christianity is rather doing too little in showing these points than doing too much. Christianity has adjusted itself much too easily to the worship of power. It should give much more offence, more shock to the world, than it is doing. Christianity should take a much more definite stand for the weak than to consider the potential moral right of the strong.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, from a sermon on 2 Cor. 12:9
Dan Rose
This made me laugh too hard…
Dan Rose
Spiritual fitness isn’t about having all the answers.
It’s about forming a faith that can actually carry you.
🎧 New episode of The Pastor Next Door:
What Is Spiritual Fitness?
In the Kingdom, success isn’t the “Triple Bs”—Butts, Bucks, and Buildings. Jesus cares more about integrity than influence. From the “little strength” of Philadelphia to the comfort of Laodicea, the call is simple: stay faithful.
We are picking up right where we left off in Revelation chapter 2. Last time, we covered the first three churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pergamum. Today, we turn our attention to the final four.
In light of recent events in Minnesota and elsewhere regarding the work of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), I have seen many people cite Romans 13:1–7. It is often used as a “trump card” to end any argument. Too often, I think those citing the passage haven’t thought deeply about it or considered its original context. So, I revisited the text to consider again what Paul is actually arguing in the opening verses of chapter 13 in his magisterial letter to the Romans.
There is a famous story about a little boy walking along a beach scattered with starfish that have washed ashore. As he walks, he bends down, picks up a starfish, and throws it back into the ocean. Over and over again, he does the same thing.
A grizzled old man approaches him and says, “You know you’re making no difference, right? There are far too many starfish. You can’t possibly save them all. What does it matter?”
The boy bends down, picks up another starfish, and replies, “It matters to this one.” And he throws it back into the sea.
It’s a story most of us have heard before, but it remains a powerful reminder of how easily we fall into all-or-nothing thinking. If we can’t fix everything, why do anything at all? If we can’t make a big dent, why bother with the small effort?
I think that Chuck DeGroat has written a very important piece that pastors, especially, need to read and understand. I also think it’s important for anyone who sees to love well and present with another to grapple with too.
Absolutely true. I know I’ve hit on a Kingdom message when people who are on the political right and people on the political begin a sentence with, “Pastor, you know…”
Dan Rose
De-humanizing people, making them objects of hatred, leads to atrocities.
Dan Rose
I appreciate this approach so much. I am grateful to have my content hosted here.
