Anselm's Explanation of the Trinity
How can the Father, Son and Holy Spirit each be God, but not be each other? This is Archbishop Anselm's explanation - the best I've heard so far.
Anselm at Starbucks
A new look at Anselm's argument for the existence of God.
The Divine Inferno
Why the existance of Hell is a demonstration of God's mercy.
1000 Easter Balloons
What if, on Easter Sunday morning, after services, every church in town released yellow balloons?
Scary Meditation
What is the difference between Eastern meditation and Christian meditation?
The Golfer of the Gaps
Have you heard that our God is a "God of the Gaps," only invoked to explain increasingly small gaps in science? Here's that logic applied to golf.
Esther's Japanese Origins
Using the approved "wild extrapolation" method, I've conclusively shown that the Biblical Book of Esther is of Japanese origin.
But I Was Born That Way
When people use this excuse, why do we keep trying to talk them out of it?
Digital Reality
Is reality digital? I couldn't care less, but if it is, maybe that's one point for the theistic view.
Church Economics
It's kind of fun to see companies becoming successful using the kind of financing churches have used for ages.
Legislating Morality
You can't legislate morality! Really? If you can't legislate morality, what can you legislate?
Paganism in Christmas and Easter?
A writer thought I ought to stop celebrating Christmas and Easter. It had pagan origins, he said. So what, I replied.
Shooting the Wounded
In which I launch a diatribe against a phrase I find particularly shallow and offensive.
Evolving Computers
What computers do - or don't - show us about evolution.
Are All Religions the Same?
A Buddhist's view.
I have a friend who recently became so exhausted in mind and body by his service to the Lord that he just couldn't continue. Thanks to his church and friends, he's getting a much needed rest.
It reminded me, for reasons which I will explain, of the old expression, "The Christian army is the only army that shoots its own wounded."
I have occasionally heard this "shooting the wounded" expression applied to those who have committed some sin - sexual or financial or whatever. Then, if the church refuses to let this person have back his or her responsible position, it is "shooting its own wounded."
No.
If the analogy is to an army, then it is not even close to parallel.
No soldier who acts on behalf of the enemy or violates the orders given him by his commander is called "wounded." At best that soldier would be called "irresponsible." At worst, a "traitor."
And I assure anyone who doubts that many armies have punished their irresponsible soldiers, and many have shot their traitors.
The wounded are those who have suffered injury - mental or physical - in the conduct of their duties. They are people like my friend, or those who have endured persecution or physical injury for their devotion to Christ.
For those (like Peter) who betray Christ, the church should make every attempt to restore them. But these are not the "wounded." Not literally. Not figuratively.
© Copyright 2000 Brad Haugaard
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
– Hebrews 4:12