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Mark Van Steenwyk

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Progressive Christian

2013-07-31T07:51:05-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

A Litany of Lament

Last updated on: July 31, 2013 at 7:51 am By Mark Van Steenwyk

We thank you, O God, for the good things we enjoy in our lives. But lament that our abundance has brought destitution to sisters and brothers throughout the earth. We thank you, O God, for the justice proclaimed by your Son Jesus Christ. But we remember that our world is mired in oppression and violence. We thank you, O God, for the liberty that is ours by the Holy Spirit. But we confess that we are easily enslaved by petty... Read more

2013-07-30T07:52:30-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

A Litany of Resistance

Last updated on: July 30, 2013 at 7:52 am By Mark Van Steenwyk

O Holy Spirit, who at the beginning of creation moved over the face of the waters, Create us anew with your life-giving power. O Holy Spirit, who inspired the prophets of old to speak boldly to a stiff-necked generation Empower us to speak prophetically in our day. O Holy Spirit, who came as a dove at the Baptism of Jesus, Strengthen us as the Baptized in our life in the world. O Holy Spirit, who led Jesus into the wilderness... Read more

2013-07-25T07:44:30-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Plastic Jesus

Last updated on: July 25, 2013 at 7:44 am By Mark Van Steenwyk

Entombed in plastic My lord speaks Brought low by thrifty men His dangerous words forgotten Divinity branded His glory exchanged for a bar code Cosmic Creator constrained With a tiny TM The Lion of Judah Pushed into a cage The Lamb of God Sacrificed at the altar of good taste The voice of the prophet Silenced for profit As affluence pours Not to the poor But to the affluent In a sad twist Jesus sold at the table Of the... Read more

2013-07-24T08:20:14-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

A Prayer for Creation

Last updated on: July 24, 2013 at 8:20 am By Mark Van Steenwyk

Creation longs for freedom, Our flesh cries out for liberation, The Spirit sighs. Bring your salvation Into the civilized places, We ask this through our Brother Jesus, The Human One, The Dawn of the New Creation, The First of many siblings, The Redeemer of Creation, The Source of Life, The Conquerer of Death, The Spirit Giver, Amen. Read more

2013-07-22T07:51:40-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

May the Heavens be Torn

Last updated on: July 22, 2013 at 7:51 am By Mark Van Steenwyk

The Baptism of Jesus is a serious deal to the Gospel writers. And for Mark it is one of three events where a voice speaks from heaven declaring Jesus to be the beloved Son with whom God is well pleased. Mark loads it with meaning, putting upon Elijah imagery evocative of Malachi, Isaiah, and Elijah. The baptism in the Jordan is reminiscent of the crossing of the Red Sea by Moses and the entering of the Promised Land by Joshua.... Read more

2013-07-19T06:41:31-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

West Bank Liturgy

Last updated on: July 19, 2013 at 6:41 am By Mark Van Steenwyk

The sidewalks of this city are my labyrinth broken bottles and shabby men roasting coffee and gutter garbage tickle God’s nose like the prayers of the saints incense of the West Bank I’m a pilgrim of the streets looking up from my feet on the way to Hard Times Cafe Somali women condemn the cold businessmen drive through on their daily trek to Temple gutterpunks on bicycles mock motorists students still in bed these are icons of the West Bank... Read more

2013-07-18T12:08:09-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

A Prayer to the Breath of God

Last updated on: July 18, 2013 at 12:08 pm By Mark Van Steenwyk

Breathe into us, Spirit of God Breathe into our mouths that we might proclaim the Good News Breathe into our eyes that we might see the Kingdom in our midst Breathe onto our hands so we can build good things, and tear down things that destroy Breathe onto our feet that we might go wherever you send us Breathe into our hearts so that all of our seeing and speaking and coming and going will be done in love. Amen. Read more

2013-07-17T07:27:22-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Waiting with Simone Weil

Last updated on: July 17, 2013 at 7:27 am By Mark Van Steenwyk

These are the words of the prophet Habbakuk: O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not listen? Or cry to you â€œViolence!â€ yet you will not save? Why do you make me see wrong-doing and look at trouble? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law becomes slack and justice never prevails. The wicked surround the righteousâ€” therefore judgment comes forth perverted. I will stand at my watchpost, and station... Read more

waiting upon the Lord

2013-07-16T07:36:27-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Manifesto

Last updated on: July 16, 2013 at 7:36 am By Mark Van Steenwyk

Drawing in the hot breath of God, My shaking lungs sting Struggling to contain the power of the Almighty. So I exhale the God-breath, Upon those awaiting salvation. Prophesying powerful portents of liberation. Awakening the imaginations of the dispossessed. This is my manifesto: This is your day, pauper. Your empty stomachs will be filled with justice Your lonely pockets will burst with peace. The Heavenly Banker stocks your account With cash stolen from the money changers. No more hanging your... Read more

2013-01-22T18:28:00-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Hitler and Jesus

Last updated on: January 22, 2013 at 6:28 pm By Mark Van Steenwyk

Hitler and Jesus have more in common than we’re willing to realize. Yes, one is understood as Evil Incarnate while the other is affirmed as God Incarnate. While this would certainly place them on opposite ends of a spectrum, they share that spectrum: that of functioning like gods in our modern Western mythology. We recognize that there is nothing particularly deficient about German genetics that makes them predisposed to evil. Furthermore, while we understand that while German culture certainly played... Read more

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