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This sums up well the early church's stance on violence and treatment of enemies. You can read more of what they had to say on the topic in my free PDF book "140 Early Christian Quotes on Not Killing," available here: tinyurl.com/2nrwvpjf. #theosky #enemylove #nonviolence #peacemaking #earlychurch

submitted 10 days ago • 0 comments

The day after Vance insisted Christians are meant to prioritize loving foreigners last, I urged my church family to not believe his claim. My remarks angered a number of people in the congregation. Still, I’m encouraged to see the new pope offered a similar corrective. #popeleoxiv #theosky

submitted 11 days ago • 0 comments

On the one hand, Trump's proposed $1 trillion defense budget simply continues the trend of previous administrations to increase military spending each year. What's new—and what compounds my grief—is how Trump is pairing this increase with substantial cuts to humanitarian aid and welfare programs.

submitted 16 days ago • 0 comments

When Christians pursue power in order to execute their vision of just change, such power (and its pursuit) inevitably corrupts. But when Christians model just change while standing in solidarity with the powerless, such a posture (and its downward pursuit) inevitably points to the way of Christ.

submitted 21 days ago • 0 comments

DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE COPY: tinyurl.com/2nrwvpjf #theosky #earlychurch #nonviolence #peacemaking #christianpacifism

submitted 24 days ago • 0 comments

Will we choose the way of Jesus—who taught and modeled nonviolent enemy love—or will we twist his words in order to claim religious support for our hatred? The early church passionately advocated for the first option. Learn what they had to say in my free PDF book: tinyurl.com/2nrwvpjf #theosky

submitted 26 days ago • 0 comments

DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE COPY: tinyurl.com/2nrwvpjf #nonviolence #theosky #enemylove #peacemaking #earlychurch

submitted 27 days ago • 0 comments

I've combed through several church history books and dozens of primary sources in order to create a single concise booklet of early Christian quotes on violence, war and peacemaking. Grab your free copy and share with others: tinyurl.com/2nrwvpjf #theosky #nonviolence #peacemaking #earlychurch

submitted 28 days ago • 0 comments

#theosky #Easter #resurrection #HolyWeek #nonviolence #peacemaking

submitted 29 days ago • 0 comments

Of all the peacemaking lessons I share in Fight Like Jesus, this one from Saturday of Holy Week has meant the most to me. #theosky #holysaturday #holyweek #peacemaking #nonviolence

submitted 30 days ago • 0 comments

#theosky #goodfriday #holyweek

submitted 31 days ago • 0 comments

#theosky #holyweek #maundythursday

submitted 32 days ago • 0 comments

When the Quaker movement began, its members emphatically rejected war and embraced nonviolence. Sadly, some Quaker groups today have entirely abandoned their peace heritage. If you'd like to learn what early Quakers had to say about war, download my free resource: tinyurl.com/4bjs2xhd #theosky

submitted 33 days ago • 0 comments

On Tuesday of Holy Week, Jesus warned that when we turn our back on prisoners, we turn our back on him (Mt. 25:43). For my Christian friends, let us lament the state of our world and the church's entanglement with it, while also praying for God to empower us for faithful living in the way of Christ.

submitted 34 days ago • 0 comments

I recently talked with Craig Harguess—host of The Bad Roman podcast—about Christian political engagement, church and state relations, and pledging allegiance to God alone. These are such pressing topics for Christians in America to be discussing. I hope you'll listen: tinyurl.com/4tjk63bb #theosky

submitted 38 days ago • 0 comments

In the Gospels, Jesus only refers to two groups of people as "children of God": peacemakers and enemy-lovers. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God" (Mt. 5:9), and "Love your enemies, ... that you may be children of your father in heaven" (Mt. 5:44-45). (1/2) #theosky

submitted 41 days ago • 1 comment

#theosky #nonviolence #enemylove #peacemaking #earlychurch

submitted 48 days ago • 0 comments

#theosky #nonviolence #enemylove #peacemaking

submitted 51 days ago • 1 comment

#theosky

submitted 54 days ago • 0 comments

A few years ago, I compiled a list of 100 early Christian quotes on the topic of nonviolence. You can download it for free via this link: tinyurl.com/mrx4t5s6 #theosky #earlychristianity #nonviolence #peacemaking

submitted 67 days ago • 1 comment

Brat's golden rule is fundamentally opposed to Jesus'. It's actually a rewording of the ancient law of retribution known as lex talionis ... a law that Jesus calls his followers to rise above. "You have heard it said, 'Eye for an eye," but I say to you, do not violently resist an evil person."

submitted 68 days ago • 0 comments

Jesus' approach to peacemaking and the early Christian attitude to war are just two of the topics Jake Doberenz and I recently discussed on his podcast Smashing Idols. I hope you'll listen to it: jakedoberenz.substack.com/p/peacemakin... #theosky #earlychristianity #nonviolence #peacemaking

submitted 69 days ago • 0 comments

#theosky #goodsamaritan

submitted 71 days ago • 0 comments

submitted 74 days ago • 0 comments

For one week only, my publisher is offering Fight Like Jesus for just $9 when you use the code WEEKLY at checkout. With Lent starting this Wednesday, now is a great time to grab a copy. #theosky #nonviolence #peacemaking www.mennomedia.org/978151380934...

submitted 77 days ago • 0 comments

Tony Campolo once taught the same truth, though with more playful imagery: "Mixing religion and politics is like mixing ice cream and manure. It doesn't do much to the manure but it sure does ruin the ice cream."

submitted 82 days ago • 0 comments

As we pray for Pope Francis—who is in critical condition—let us also heed what may prove to be his final words to the church in America. #theosky

submitted 86 days ago • 0 comments

Malcolm X once warned, "If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing." Today, I'm thankful for news articles (like this one by Christianity Today) which humanize the oppressed and urge compassion.

submitted 86 days ago • 1 comment

Honored to see my book ranked next to Bonhoeffer's Ethics. With Lent and Holy Week approaching, now is a great time to buy a copy of Fight Like Jesus and study the Greatest Peacemaker's greatest week. Grab a copy here or through your local bookstore: www.amazon.com/Fight-Like-J...

submitted 98 days ago • 1 comment