Each week, FollowingChrist.org contributing editor Dan Clendenin
takes a new step in his "Journey with Jesus" — a series of
essays reflecting on living life with Christ. Dan reflects on the challenge
of learning to think like Jesus and to love him with heart, soul, mind, and
strength.
Indexed here are the "Journey with Jesus" essays we've published
at FollowingChrist.org, in reverse chronological order:
Religious Terror
This week Dan discusses violence in the name of religion.
Where the Action Is
Where is the Spirit blowing today? Think charismatic. Think global. Then
pray that since "we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the
Spirit."
Testifying
to the Light: Third Sunday in Advent (2002)
This essay discusses how and why "Testifying to the Light" can
be a joyful act rather than something done with dread and obligation.
Prepare
Him Room: Second Sunday in Advent 2002
In this essay, Dan continues his Advent series with "Prepare Him Room:
Second Sunday in Advent". Dan discusses the theme of preparation through
confession and repentance and how this opens us to God's forgiveness and
love.
Watching
and Waiting: First Sunday in Advent 2002
This essay is the first in a six week series of biblical meditations based
upon the Scriptures from the lectionary texts: Advent (four weeks), New
Year's, and Epiphany. The four advent essays are on waiting, preparation,
witness and availability.
Thanksgiving
2002: Giving Thanks in an Age of Enlightenment
Grace and gratitude may often be trivialized, but in reality all that is
good in life originates with them. This essay takes a look at some modern
and not-so-modern examples.
George
Herbert (1593–1633): Pastor and Poet
A politically- and socially-advantaged person gives up a promising career
in academia and government to become a pastor and poet in a period when
clergymen have been publicly disgraced. Why?
The
New Cyber Intifada
Dan reviews Thomas Friedman's recent book Longitudes and Attitudes
and notes how technology, in particular the instant communication capability
of the internet, can be very destabilizing in our world of suspicion and
distrust.
Borg
on the Bible
This essay reviews Marcus Borg's approach to interacting with the Bible.
While clearly at odds with much of evangelical thought, his approach may
nevertheless help in taking the Bible seriously.
Modern
Sainthood: All Saint's Day 2002
How do we view sainthood? Who exactly is a saint? This essay takes a look
at differing views.
Why
They Hate Us: Cultural Reform or Resurgent Culture?
What is the source of the anti-western sentiment growing increasingly evident
around the world? Are the problems limited to a few extremists, or do they
arise from fundamental differences between worldviews?
Bottled
Lightning: Early American Pentecostalism
This essay examines the beginnings of the Pentecostal movement in the early
days of the 20th century, and what it has brought to Christianity in the
years since.
Successful
Failures
We all experience episodes of failure in life. Many times we can learn from
them. But how does God deal with our failure?
Biotechnology
and the Future of Humanity
Like a huge wildfire that creates its own windstorm, high technology and
big science drag us into situations we aren't prepared for, politically,
socially, or morally. What is the right course to take between the extremes
of no control and total restriction?
The
View From Austria, 2002
How much of our faith is merely cultural, and how much is real? In this
essay, Dan reflects upon the international nature of Christianity.
God's
Grace in Popular Culture: Two Books
In a culture engaged in a moral struggle commonly described by military
metaphors, where, or how, does grace fit in?
Remembering
911: One Year Later
Regarding the 9/11 tragedy, what are some ways we can respond as followers
of Jesus? What are some relevant guiding principles that we should keep
in mind?
Malachi:
Prophets Don't Joke
What is a prophet? What purpose does a prophet fulfil? What do prophets
tell us about the connection between God and ourselves?
Zechariah
We hear a lot about dreams and visions, and their meanings or lack thereof.
Turns out Zechariah had quite a few too.
Haggai:
God Is with Us?!
The short book of Haggai presents four messages to the children of Israel
as they return from exile. These messages show how God's ways are different
from ours...and that he is to be acknowledged and trusted despite appearances.
Zephaniah:
The Day of the Lord
God's judgment is an infrequently discussed topic. Dan takes a look at its
characteristics and benefits as presented by Zephaniah.
Habakkuk:
Faith and Doubt
Have you ever had doubts about your Christian faith? What if you lost six
loved ones in one day? Or if your nation was about to be destroyed?
Nahum
on Ninevah: Whatever Happened to Jonah?
Nahum gives gives us another take on Ninevah, but it is far different from
that of Jonah: how do we reconcile them?
Micah:
From Hell to Hope
What were those O.T. prophets really up to? In his "prophet concentrate,"
Micah seems to hit all the bases.
Jonah,
a Fish and a Vine
Why is it so hard to carry a message of repentance and grace to an enemy?
This essay investigates the case of Jonah.
Obadiah
and the Fourth of July
Violence and destruction are anathema today, particularly so when done in
the name of religion. So how then do we interpret the message of Obadiah?
Amos:
The Farmer Meets the Wealthy Elite
Which is more remarkable: that God chose a rough-hewn, uncultured man to
carry a message of caring for the powerless to religious sophisticates,
or the fact that they needed to hear it in the first place?
Joel:
God's Hand in My History
How are God's designs for us made known? Can we see God's hand at work in
the events and circumstances of our existence?
Hosea
and Free Love
This first of twelve essays on the Minor Prophets takes a look at God's
exasperation with, and love for, the nation of Israel in Hosea's day.
Twelve
Fortune Tellers
Is Biblical prophecy mostly fortune-telling, or is it something much more?
This essay introduces an upcoming series of twelve essays on the Minor Prophets
of the Old Testament.
A
Sectarian Manifesto
Whereas John the sectarian shouted
the Word without apology, we whisper it ever so politely from the centers
of society.
Warrior
Politics: Making the Most of a Bad Job
Dan investigates the tough choices that face those in leadership positions.
Implementing the rule of right, not might, is not as easy as it can seem.
Presidents'
Day 2002
Dan offers a glimpse at the life of one U.S. president who described his
own conscience as "neat and easy."
rev. 2003.02.03
