Front Row Faith And Reason®

Who do we expect to be the one to turn the other cheek?

In our democracy, our ideals envision a give and take of compromise. In reality, however, we often expect Black people and other people of color to bear the majority of the sacrifice. Meanwhile, white power structures have been historically less likely to accept any loss – symbolic or material. Looking to a worldwide view, Palestinians have been sacrificing openly for 75 years to no discernible effect in terms of being respected and granted justice.

For the oppressed, it is the Book of Revelation that speaks to anyone battling demons of any kind, throughout the world or within the heart. They picture not only the utter darkness that cloaks the earth, but also the glory and hope of God that is ultimately stronger.

Can we genuinely "turn the other cheek"? Can those who are suffering be expected to remain patiently hopeful?

"How does Revelation fit with our awareness of the non-violent historical Jesus?"

One could start by reflecting on Netanyahu's recent speech in Hebrew, referring to the biblical injunction to kill the Amalekites: women and children along with the men. We could go from there to homegrown texts of terror. The Turner Diaries. The Left Behind series. And, again in reference to Black suffering, Thomas Dixon's The Clansman: the book that inspired "Gone with the Wind."

John Dominic Crossan says, “This biblical patterning of yes-and-no justifies my choice of the nonviolent Jesus of the Incarnation over the violent Jesus of the Apocalypse as the true Jesus. Put simply, the nonviolent Jesus is the Christian Bible’s assertion, acceptance, and affirmation of the radicality of God, while the violent Jesus is its corresponding subversion, rejection, and negation in favor of the normalcy of civilization.”

Which Jesus do you choose?

It might seem that the Greek word, Apocalypse, is on everyone’s lips these days, from environmentalists to the Extreme Right. Guests Peter Laarman and Charlene Sinclair share their different perspectives in confronting and challenging the ascending violence of “the war in heaven,” where Jesus judges the whole world. You must ask yourself: How does this maniacal, murderous, terrorizing, life-destroying Jesus, fit with the peaceful, non-violent historical Jesus of the New Testament? Who is the one you worship? What is the nature of your God?

In the third part of this series, we analyze the death of Jesus, revisit Marcus Borg's final lectures, and uncover the many ways Progressive Christians can support advocacy and activism in their communities. Join our discussion with Rev. Janet Cooper Nelson and Peter Laarman for an exciting dialogue about the faith, advocacy, and the implications for Christianity’s future.

Is God’s love patriarchal? How do young people perceive the church? Does the interpretation of Jesus’ death as “payment” stand in the way of connecting with the gospel?

In the second part of this series, we probe these questions and revisit Marcus Borg's final lectures with Rev. Janet Cooper Nelson and Peter Laarman. Listen at home or share with your class for an exciting discussion on faith, the gospel, and the implications for Christianity’s future.

We revisit Marcus Borg’s final lectures with Rev. Janet Cooper Nelson and Peter Laarman and discuss the implications for Christianity’s future. Beginning with an excerpt from Borg’s lecture on the Cross, the conversation expands into a discussion about how the core symbolisms of Christianity may be changing in unprecedented ways.