Category Archives: theological

Why Felt Compassion Isn’t Quite Enough

Posted on May 2, 2012 by PaulVK

Kristen Tennant on “Religion without stories…” (the comments are good too) It follows news reports on a study that suggests highly religious people are less motivated by compassion than they are from dogma. In the comments on this posting someone … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture commentary, Links, Saved Blog Comments, theological | Leave a comment

Is the Bible a Human or Divine Product?

Posted on April 27, 2012 by PaulVK

I wrote this as a response to a posting on Calvin-In-Common on a reported conclusion of Marcus Borg that the Bible is a human product, not a divine one. Human product or a divine one? I couldn’t let that assertion … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture commentary, Saved Blog Comments, theological, Understanding the Bible | Leave a comment

The New Jerusalem at Calvin College

Posted on April 24, 2012 by PaulVK

I spoke to my parents today about their trip to the Festival of Faith and Writing. Mom was still brimming over with excitement and enthusiasm from the trip. Dad of course enjoyed it. He likes everything like some 77 year … Continue reading →

Posted in CRC, Devotional Reflection, theological | 2 Comments

Insecure allergic reactionaries

Posted on April 20, 2012 by PaulVK

This is the human condition. We long to be seen but are terrified of rejection or judgment. When Jesus says “broad is the road that leads to destruction” he is not exaggerating. There are more ways into hell than there … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture commentary, On the way to Sunday's sermon, philosophical reflection, theological | Tagged | Leave a comment

The Golden Rule vs. The Rule of Love

Posted on April 15, 2012 by PaulVK

The golden rule is sometimes cited as a basis for ethics and a common place by which different religious traditions can find commonality. The golden rule is a good rule, not original to Jesus. It can be found in various … Continue reading →

Posted in philosophical reflection, theological | Leave a comment

Is Hell Disproportional Punishment?

Posted on April 14, 2012 by PaulVK

Trying to comprehend what we may not fully be able to comprehend These were comments I posted on Facebook in a conversation following my response to the “And What If I’m Wrong” posting. Before I cut and paste my comments … Continue reading →

Posted in philosophical reflection, theological | Leave a comment

The Reflected-Self, the Ego, and Evil

Posted on April 14, 2012 by PaulVK

The Widely Recognized Problem of the Ego As I continue to work through the idea of the reflected-self and how it becomes self-obsession, selfishness, self-righteousness, how it makes us unable to love or to engage the material world in a … Continue reading →

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“And What If I’m Wrong”

Posted on April 11, 2012 by PaulVK

Got this video from a friend. I thought it would be a nice piece to bounce off of on the points he makes. First an outline of the points. I’ll put my initial comments and place holders in brackets. Even … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture commentary, philosophical reflection, Quotations, theological | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Forgiveness and the Cry of Dereliction

Posted on March 14, 2012 by PaulVK

At Living Stones we’re going through the Seven Words from the Cross of Jesus. This week’s “word” is “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” It is also known as the cry of dereliction. It is the first verse … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Reflection, theological | 1 Comment

More on Forgiveness and Hurts

Posted on March 14, 2012 by PaulVK

The conversation on CRC-Voices has been especially helpful. The conversation started with David Snapper, CRC pastor in Washington State who has developed a forgiveness workshop. He sites four levels of hurt. The language on Voices also in process and I … Continue reading →

Posted in theological | 1 Comment