By Harold W. Anderson, Ph.D., M.A., M.Div. I grew up in the Church of the Nazarene that valued “testimonies.” Testimonies were rituals where a person would give a report of how a problem occurred and God, through prayer, fixed the problem. After hearing enough testimonies, I began to realize that if a person wanted toContinue reading “Stepping Back: Escaping the Echo Chamber”
Category Archives: Religious Studies
Beware the Devil Wearing the Mask of Christian Nationalism
By Harold W. Anderson, Ph.D., M.A., M.Div. Note: This article is longer than normal, but it contains a great deal of information on Christian Nationalism and how to oppose it. Claiming that it is a fascist organization, I offer six ways that we might oppose this group along with the MAGA movement. I think itContinue reading “Beware the Devil Wearing the Mask of Christian Nationalism”
The Lee Greenwood and Donald Trump Endorsed Bible
By Harold W. Anderson, Ph.D., M.A., M.Div. Since moving to this area, I have been singing Karaoke at both the local golf club and a local restaurant. I’m not great at it, but I have a lot of fun joining with friends to “howl at the moon,” so to speak. One night, though, a friendContinue reading “The Lee Greenwood and Donald Trump Endorsed Bible”
Faith Without Religion
By Harold W. Anderson, Ph.D., M.A., M.Div. I have to admit, I enjoy TikTok, and I am a little concerned that on my feed at least, there are so many expressing their dismay about religion in general and Christianity in particular. Now, before the chorus of loud “Amens!” begin to ring out, let me alsoContinue reading “Faith Without Religion”
Faithful Living and the Difference between Kerygma and Myth
By Harold W. Anderson, Ph.D., M.A., M.Div. It is impossible to use electric light and the wireless and to avail ourselves of modern medical and surgical discoveries, and at the same time to believe in the New Testament world of spirits and miracles. We may think we can manage it in our own lives, butContinue reading “Faithful Living and the Difference between Kerygma and Myth”
Beware the Mask of Fascism
By Harold W. Anderson, Ph.D., M.A., M.Div. I wondered. Why had she said that? How could someone make such a blatantly false assessment of a message of love and peace? Sure, the topic of my talk that evening was a premillennial romp through the apocalyptic literature of the Bible, making almost no distinction between theContinue reading “Beware the Mask of Fascism”
Faithful Living and the Difference between Kerygma and Myth
by Harold W. Anderson, Ph.D., M.A., M.Div by Harold W. Anderson, Ph.D., M.A., M.Div It is impossible to use electric light and the wireless and to avail ourselves of modern medical and surgical discoveries, and at the same time to believe in the New Testament world of spirits and miracles. WeContinue reading “Faithful Living and the Difference between Kerygma and Myth”
Does Religion Bring Happiness?
By Harold W. Anderson, Ph.D. It takes moral courage to grieve; it takes religious courage to rejoice. Søren Kierkegaard, The Soul of Kierkegaard: Selections from His Journal Do we look happy to you? The other day I had a conversation with one of my Buddhist friends. During the conversation, he said something interesting. “If Moses,Continue reading “Does Religion Bring Happiness?”
Beliefs Have Consequences
by Harold W. Anderson, M.Div., Ph.D. Belief is powerful. It changes things and the more people believe it, the more things change. This, I suppose, is the lesson of systems. A singular belief can be something powerful for the person who holds it, but it may have little impact upon others. But a belief thatContinue reading “Beliefs Have Consequences”
What Happens When You Die?
By Harold W. Anderson, Ph.D., LMFT, M.Div. I attended the funeral of a good friend recently. Her son and husband did the eulogy and did a very good job. However, following that, the minister started speaking. In his words, we received insight into what he thought happened after we die. Quoting from John 14, aContinue reading “What Happens When You Die?”