Category: America

America, Calling, Christianity, Ethics, First Amendment, humanity, Interfaith Dialogue, Jesus, Love, reconciliation, spirituality, Story3 Comments

This One Thing

Gary Furr

I seek to love my neighbor as myself. That would seem obvious for a preacher of the teachings of Jesus, but maybe we need to say it again. Love one another. And I don’t remember any additions to the command. “Love your neighbor as yourself.” It’s hard enough without trying to add a lot of fine print. Love your child, your grandchildren, your neighbor you don’t agree with. Love them, gay, straight, trans, prisoner, judge, immigrant and the DAR lady. Love them, Trumper, Liberal, and none of the above. Christian, Muslim, Jew, Hindu, Buddhist, Rotarians, Knights of Columbus, or atheists. … Continue reading This One Thing

America, Bill of Rights, Christian Nationalism, Christianity, Citizenship, Constitution, Culture, First Amendment, Fundamentalism, humanity, Interfaith Dialogue, Jesus, Politics, Politics, reconciliation, Story, Theology, violence, war, worldview

Our Muslim Girls

Gary Furr

My wife was the head resident of a girls dormitory when I was in Seminary at Campbell University in North Carolina. I would commute every day to Southeastern Baptist Seminary, 100 miles round trip, for the three years as I was getting my Master’s degree. It was a godsend, because we got a one bedroom apartment with a windowless storage room that we converted into a small bedroom for our daughter, and a few years later, our second daughter was born and shared it with her. I’m sorry we lived there, though. After living with a dorm full of undergraduate … Continue reading Our Muslim Girls

9-11, Aggression, America, Citizenship, Conflict, Constitution, Culture, Ethics, fear, Manners, Politics, Selfishness, Story, violence, war

Greenland, Respect and Treading on Snakes

Gary Furr

My World War II vets in my former pastorate are all gone. They would spit venom at the idea of being aggressors. America defends the little guys, they believed. They beat Hitler and Japan to say, “Stop it. Leave the world alone.” And they came home and raised families, earned a living and served their communities. This is what I am sure they would say: “Leave Greenland alone. You don’t treat friends like a hostile takeover.” They would have said, “No. Leave them alone. Finish the ballroom. Get inflation under control. Fix the highways and take care of the poor … Continue reading Greenland, Respect and Treading on Snakes

America, Bible, Christianity, Culture, Ethics, fear, Jesus, Love, Parables, Parables, Politics, Poverty, Race, racism, Selfishness, Story

Jesus, the Samaritan Woman, and Toxic History

Gary Furr

Reading the Bible Amid the Culture Wars When we come to the gospels, we meet a nearly nonstop array of the crossing of barriers. Jesus eats with sinners (as defined by the culture as much as the Law itself). He touches the “unclean” (defined by the pious) and welcomes them back into the people of God. Tax collectors join the disciple band along with Zealots. Women are recognized and sinners forgiven. Regarding consideration of cross-cultural relationships, it is a problem of where to begin. The welcome of the outcast, the stranger, the sick and the downtrodden is a feature of … Continue reading Jesus, the Samaritan Woman, and Toxic History

America, Bill of Rights, Citizenship, criminal justice, Culture, Ethics, fear, First Amendment, Story1 Comment

The Bill of Rights is More Than Two

Gary Furr

Since we all claim to know what the first and second amendments of the Bill of Rights mean (although I have severe doubts about that), let’s reconsider and reacquaint ourselves with amendments 3-8.  Amendment III No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. Amendment IV The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon … Continue reading The Bill of Rights is More Than Two