If the universe is structured to make forgiveness necessary, then there’s a good chance you’ll need to make an apology at some point. Fortunately, some folks at Ohio State have figured out what ingredients you need to make your apology as acceptable as possible. While it might not be the most mind-bending research result ever, it’s one you’ll probably be able to use sooner or later.
[Read more…] about Science Corner: Sorry (Not Sorry)
repentance
Repentance and Lent
As a fairly young Christian I thought of repentance for my sins in terms of being sorry for things I had done. I was really, sincerely sorry, yet kept doing the same things over and over again. You may have been there yourself. Then I heard a wise teacher say, “Repentance is not being sorry for the things you have done, but being sorry you are the kind of person that does such things.” – M. Robert Mulholland, Jr., The Deeper Journey: The Spirituality of Discovering Your True Self, p. 23
This morning, I listened to my friend and former Faculty Ministry colleague Kenny Benge preach a sermon on “Ancient-Future Worship” during Lent. (See Robert Webber’s book for more about the idea of “Ancient-Future Worship.”) It truly was an Ancient-Future experience, because I listened to him via podcast from his church’s website. During his sermon, Kenny drew a contrast between morality and moralism, which I think was taken from C. S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity. Morality is the law of right and wrong that is woven into the fabric of the universe. Meanwhile, moralism is our futile attempt to control our lives (and the lives of others) in order to become “so good” that we no longer need the cross of Christ. [Read more…] about Repentance and Lent