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Guest column: Imperial religion has no place in the Kingdom of God

Posted at 2:59 pm April 12, 2015
By David Allred 3 Comments

Preparing for the greatest day of the year, Easter, was a bit harder this year than last. On Thursday, the night we remember how Jesus was betrayed and handed over to both the religious and political empires of his day, I happened to read of the new bill that seeks to designate the Bible as the state book of Tennessee.

There are a ton of ways to scream “no” to this legislation, starting with the both the Tennessee Constitution and the United States Constitution. There is also the objection that the bill places the transcendental and eternal qualities of the Bible on the same footing as the lily (our state flower) or the raccoon (our state animal). Of course, then there’s just downright common sense: The laws I use to influence my neighbor’s religion (or lack of) can easily be the same laws by which my neighbor one day attempts to subjugate me.

Those are fine ways to oppose this bill, but they are of lesser concern to me as a Christian pastor of 25 years. I am most deeply concerned at the way in which an action like this stands in stark opposition to the actions and words of the Bible itself, most especially as revealed in the person of Jesus. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Faith, Guest Columns, Opinion Tagged With: Bible, Christian, faith, God, God's Kingdom, human law, Jesus, Kingdom of God, legislation, ministry, political advocacy, political powers, religion, Roman Empire, state book, Tennessee, Tennessee Constitution, United States Constitution

Faith column: An attitude of gratitude

Posted at 10:22 am May 12, 2013
By Joseph Westfall Leave a Comment

Ephesians 5:21-33

When was the last time you said—“Thank You”?

When was the last time you said—“Please”?

When you introduce your spouse…How do you do it?

With…enthusiasm,

embarrassment,

appreciation,

a joke—

with love.

When you talk about your church, how does it sound? Are you ready to invite someone? Are you hesitant because your church doesn’t have a particular building or music? Do you hold back because you do not attend church very regularly yourself?

When you talk politics or city government, do you appear distraught? Are you constantly griping about the way things are in the world today? Are you still upset that you have not won the lottery!? [Read more…]

Filed Under: Faith Tagged With: attitude, Christ, church, faith, God's Kingdom, gratitude, Joseph M. Westfall

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Classifieds

Public Notice: Comment period extended for Draft EA for Lithium Processing Facility at Y-12

EXTENSION OF THE COMMENT PERIOD FOR THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE LITHIUM PROCESSING … [Read More...]

Public Notice: Draft Environmental Assessment Available for Lithium Production Facility at Y-12

AVAILABILITY OF THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE LITHIUM PROCESSING FACILITY AT THE Y-12 … [Read More...]

Availability of the Final Environmental Assessment for the Oak Ridge Enhanced Technology and Training Center (ORETTC) (DOE/EA-2144), Finding of No Significant Impact, and Wetland Statement of Findings

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announces the … [Read More...]

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