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Uncovering the Propaganda of Evil
Season 11 of the Fourth Way Podcast covers the violence of propaganda. Podcast host Derek Kreider introduces us to each episode and reflects on what he has learned from these in-depth conversations about propaganda. As we approach an election year and everyone is getting all fired up – or probably more accurately, continuing to stoke…
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Nosocomial Infections
“Look at that!” I said. “Look at what?” My wife asked, as we sped along the rural road. “You missed it,” I said. “But someone ran into the fence around that body shop back there. He knocked down part of the fence and really crumpled up his hood.” “Oh,” Elaine said, not particularly interested. “I…
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Loyalty or Integrity? Calling Anabaptists to Revival
Loyalty This is my church. Right or wrong. I will defend my church. This is ideology.This is comfortable.This is the ten spies, not the two spies.This defends the status quo. This is playing politics.This takes no courage. We always did it this way.We will protect and defend even if some things are wrong. This destroys…
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The Temptation of Bibliolatry
I often read the Bible with an air of arrogance. Sometimes I elevate myself above the foolish Israelites who, even after seeing God part the red sea or deliver them from empire, still choose to rebel against this omnipotent and benevolent God. At other times I am appalled at the Ancient Near East’s barbaric practices…
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Is Capitalism “The” Christian Economy?
There has been much written about threats to the United States. When I was a boy, the Soviet Union and the communist threat there was thought to be the biggest danger to life as we know it. Now, some are more worried about China, but from an economic standpoint, it seems that many believe that…
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The Temptation of Power
“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” –Lord Acton Yes, sooner or later – later, if he is strong or well meaning to begin with – but neither strength nor good purpose will last – sooner or later the Dark Power will devour him.” — J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring The…
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Political Rebirth and the Kingdom of God
The book of John is among one of four gospels in the New Testament, yet it is in a class of its own. While the other three gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, are considered synoptic gospels, John is quite a bit different. John frames his gospel to accentuate various teachings not highlighted as much in…
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How do I respond when I am wronged?
When someone violates me, what do I do? When we grow up in a Christian environment, we are commonly taught two easy things. The first is inward examination. What am I doing that ticked that person off? The second tactic is to be angry and tell the other person how you feel. Both these common…
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Face to Face with the Consuming Fire
Three verses have long been troubling to me: Exodus 33:20, I Timothy 6:16, and John 1:18. Each of these verses declares that God cannot be seen, either because he is invisible and spirit, or because if we saw him we could no longer live. What is particularly troubling about these verses is that they seem patently…
The Kingdom Outpost 