Category: Uncategorized
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Forming a Christian View of Gender Issues
By: Laurie J. Braaten How do we form a Christian view on an issue? Some would say it’s by finding Bible verses that speak to or settle the question. But does this always work? What is the biblical view on divorce? On slavery? On women as ordained lead pastors? Does it bother us that many…
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A Biblical Case for Affirming
By: Joe Ness The Wesleyan tradition I grew up and was educated in accepts the authority of scripture but humbly subjects interpretations to the filters of reason (does this make logical sense?), tradition (is it consistent with the historical tenets of the faith, embodied in the creeds?), and experience (is there evidence for this in…
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My View of LGBTQ Inclusion
By: Anonymous I grew up in a charismatic, Evangelical space that was very traditional in its views on sexuality and gender. I never questioned this, and acquaintance with conservative Evangelical scholarship only enforced those teachings with theological and biblical rigor. Yet, over the past few years, I have deconstructed my views on sexuality. Now, being…
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Call for Dialog
by: Samuel M Powell For a somewhat longer version of this post, go to: Call for Dialog (samuelmpowell.com) As some of you may know, Tom Oord, Director of the Center for Open and Relational Theology, faces a trial this week. The charges against him, brought by two ordained ministers in the Church of the Nazarene, are…
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I am the Church
By Adam Watkins The Hymn Refrain:I am the church!You are the church!We are the church together!All who follow Jesus,all around the world!Yes, we’re the church together! The church is not a building,the church is not a steeple,the church is not a resting place,the church is a people. Refrain We’re many kinds of people,with many kinds…
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MY QUEER TRIAL DEFENSE
By Thomas Jay Oord I face a Church of the Nazarene trial in late July 2024 for being queer affirming. To prepare, I’ve written a lengthy defense. I’ve decided to publish it before the trial to make my arguments available to the public and not just the jurors. My arguments are published in My Defense.…
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Bonus Essay: Like A Shroud
Holiness empowers and equips us for service in the kingdom. Rather than accusations, threats, trials, dismissals, or shunning in any form, God recognizes holiness in the honesty and courage it takes to live in accordance with one’s true self, even when it disrupts cultural norms in society or the church.
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Bonus Essay: LGBTQA+ suicide
Doug Henning, PhD I understand how difficult it is for established organizations to change. Especially when those in positions of influence & power played key roles in establishing, and maintaining, it’s expected standards and rules over several generations. I’m thinking here primarily religious organizations, and more specifically Christian denominations. I also how difficult it is as an…
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A Voice from the Global Church: Response to Rev. Brian Powell
By Néstor A. Hernández Zambrana “I disagree with the conclusion that to have this conversation is to cater to Western culture.” It is obvious the Church of the Nazarene is at a crucial point in its history. However, I continue to notice how the global reality of our denomination is weaponized by some within their…
