Character

Pitirim Sorokin and strong character

The writings of Russian revolutionary and Harvard sociologist Pitirim Sorokin (1889-1968) show him as a great theorist of love who realized the intimate connection between love and truth, beauty, and goodness. Sorokin’s life displays all the components emphasized in this philosophy, …

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Strong and well-balanced character: A goal we all can reach

Character

Abraham Lincoln 1864 There is much to say for the idea that we become good by doing good. As the proverb goes, “Sow an action, reap a habit. Sow a habit, reap a character. Sow a character, reap a destiny.” Another truth goes deeper. We truly do good on the basis of being good. And our quest for …

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The facts of evil and the truth of God’s goodness

Character, Morality, Spiritual experience

Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, Berlin, hit by bombs in WWII, preserved as a memorial of that nightmare. Whoever rejoices in the beauty and goodness of truth has to face the shock of facts that are ugly and cruel. When something terrible happens, it is common to ask, “Why me?” or “What did he do to …

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Love your neighbor . . . realistically!

Character, Science

Freud provides another example of keen psychological observations mixed with needlessly anti-religious philosophy. He challenges the religious idea, found in the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself." While Freud approved of altruism in certain …

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With all our strength
I’ve been on a quest to live–and write about–loving God with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength. Yesterday I sent to my editor friend a revised section on strength. She discovered weaknesses in it. It didn’t take long for me to realize (this is a pattern) that she had uncovered a fresh, hungry need […]
Faith child
The faith of a little child not only enables us to join the kingdom family of God, it also continues to guide us as we progress. Jesus’s teachings and interactions on this theme are marked by a wonderful simplicity. And the variety of these teachings touches on several concepts that are part of the whole […]
Sean finds God
A 21-year-old computer whiz embraced the concept of the wonderfulness within, but rejected the idea of the spirit of God within–until two weeks ago. How did philosophy help? Watch the 9-minute video or listen to the podcast episode. For the video, I simplified the philosophy so much it’s hardly recognizable. I have organized some ideas […]
Falling across the Pentecost finish line
After acknowledging the failure of an experiment in the last class meeting (falling across the finish line), I summarize a five-week class, "The Journey from Easter to Pentecost." Then I distinguish garden-variety spiritual experience from the taste-and-see variety.
The Journey from Easter to Pentecost
"Lazarus, come forth!" Imagine Jesus saying this to you, and you saying this to others. Here's class that has embarked on that venture.
Composting the ugly
Composting, a process of transformation, a metaphor of a seven-step process of growth.
Happy Mourning
“Happy mourning” sounds like a paradox. Let's probe Jesus’ beatitude: mourning for past, present, future, for self and others, extreme affliction and daily sensitivity and responsiveness to human need.
A leader’s legacy
Jesus was the model for leaders who know they are not going to stay on the planet forever. Jesus made provision for continuing what he had begun. His legacy would sustain the inspiration, make it possible for people to stay true to the mission, and provide for further growth and new developments to come.
Militant action, mission of peace
Coming into Jerusalem for the last time, Jesus communicated a mission of peace and also acted militantly on some occasions. How can we understand this combination?
Jesus tried
When Peter said to Jesus, "You are the Messiah, the Son of God," Jesus affirmed his insight--and then commanded the apostles not to tell this to anyone. Why not?

Character

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