Category Archives: Contemporary Issues

Can you find it in Jesus?

Posted on August 25, 2022 by Joe Ginder

I saw a comment by Brian Zahnd the other day on Jesus’ disciples in the Gospel of Luke that bears repeating. So I’m repeating it! The “Sons of Thunder” wanted to call fire down from heaven on a Samaritan village … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study, Christian Living, Contemporary Issues, Quotes | Comments Off

A man who lies to himself….

Posted on June 24, 2022 by Joe Ginder

“A man who lies to himself, and believes his own lies becomes unable to recognize truth, either in himself or in anyone else, and he ends up losing respect for himself and for others. When he has no respect for … Continue reading →

Posted in Contemporary Issues, Quotes | Comments Off

Seeing Color Newsletter/Journal of John Woolman

Posted on February 5, 2022 by Joe Ginder

In the recorded message this week, I mentioned the free newsletter Seeing Color. This note is to make the link to it available. If you subscribe, it will come in email each month. I also mentioned the Journal of John … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Contemporary Issues, Friends Theology, References | Comments Off

Major Resources for Revelation 2021 Messages

Posted on October 2, 2021 by Joe Ginder

These are the three major resources I’m revisiting for the 2021 series of messages on Revelation. I’m using the series to address topics requested by members of the congregation that can fit into this approach. Apparently there is a lot … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study, Contemporary Issues, Covid-19, Questions, References | Comments Off

Isn’t tissue from an aborted fetus involved in making the Covid-19 vaccines?

Posted on September 10, 2021 by Joe Ginder

For a Christian, this is the most serious objection to taking the Covid-19 vaccine that I have heard. Here (in a nutshell) are the facts as I have found in my research. According to the Nebraska Medical Center and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Community, Contemporary Issues, Covid-19, Questions | Comments Off

“Is accepting a Covid-19 vaccination taking the Mark of the Beast?”

Posted on September 9, 2021 by Joe Ginder

Short answer: No. How can I be so sure? Because biblically speaking, the “Mark of the Beast” as noted in the Apocalypse of John (aka Revelation) is a way of declaring a higher allegiance to a power other than Jesus/God. … Continue reading →

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“God told me not to get a vaccination”

Posted on September 1, 2021 by Joe Ginder

To start with, you might want to read David French’s column It’s Time to Stop Rationalizing and Enabling Evangelical Vaccine Rejection. I will try not to repeat what he has already said quite clearly in what I write below. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Contemporary Issues, Covid-19 | Comments Off

Jesus and John Wayne by Kristen Kobes Du Mez

Posted on July 19, 2021 by Joe Ginder

Jesus and John Wayne is the eye-catching title of a book by Kristen Kobes Du Mez. The subtitle is even more provocative: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation. It’s a fine historical account written for a … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Contemporary Issues, General, References, Reviews, Women in Ministry | Comments Off

On the Cost of War: A Demonstration of Extreme Love and Loyalty at Great Cost

Posted on June 21, 2021 by Joe Ginder

A recent trilogy of Rough Translation podcasts tells an amazing story of two people who make great sacrifices. I was struck by the display of the often unseen cost of war and violence and by the great display of love … Continue reading →

Posted in Contemporary Issues, Family, General, Homelessness, References | Comments Off

Dr. Michael Osterholm’s Covid-19 Podcast

Posted on October 14, 2020 by Joe Ginder

Dr. Michael Osterholm runs CIDRAP, the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, at the University of Minnesota. He has a Covid-19 podcast that is full of good information and… surprise… even encouragement! I listened to his latest episode today … Continue reading →

Posted in Contemporary Issues, Covid-19, References, Reviews | Comments Off