[Reflecting on...] Differences

If people really understood my beliefs the way I mean them, would they be offended?

Should this matter?

If my beliefs are offensive, does that mean they are wrong as per God?

Is God’s truth offensive to anyone when understood properly?

What is it that actually offends people?

Is it really a difference of opinion or is it the hostility and hatred that so often accompany differences of opinion?

Can two people with major differences in beliefs still relationship with eachother?

Can a person Love another person with whom they disagree?

Can God love people who don’t agree wtih Him?

Can God love sinners?

Can God love homosexuals, liberals and/or Muslims?

Can God love people who don’t follow his rules as much as He loves those who do?

Does God’s heart bleed as much for Al Queda as it does for the victims of 9/11?

Does my heart bleed as much for Al Queda as it does for the victims of 9/11?

Should it?

[your thoughts here...]

Edit: Speaking of offensiveness in Jesus’ teachings, I came across this tidbit over at WorD:

“Some people are always going to be offended when you actually teach them what’s in the Bible as opposed to what they assume is in the Bible.” – NT Wright

I don’t know exactly how that ties into this post (because I’m not making a point, really, but asking reflective questions as they come to mind) but I feel like it’s true and applicable.

My Reading List

Books that I have read/am currently reading (I highly recommend all of these unless otherwise specified)

Myth of a Christian Nation: How the quest for political power is destroying the church – Gregory A. Boyd

The Ragamuffin Gospel – Brennan Manning

The Irresistible Revolution – Shane Claiborne

Blue Like Jazz – Donald Miller

Sex God – Rob Bell (decent, but not a fav)

Books that I really REALLY want to read in the near future

Velvet Elvis – Rob Bell

Jesus For President – Shane Claiborne

Ragamuffin Gospel – Visual edition (abbreviated of the normal addition, but with art)

I’ll try and add more to this list as I think of them. Everything so far is as of 11/16/08.

Richard Rohr: Things Hidden: Scripture As Spirituality <- I have no idea why this is linked or what it is linked to. I’ve just seen a lot of quotes from this on WorD and it seems pretty brilliant. – I added this Monday, 12/8/2008