When I taught theology, the doctrine my students found most offensive was neighbor love. The idea that you are obligated to love the person right next to you, regardless of anything they might have done to “deserve” your love, was patently absurd to them. Now I teach writing. You have to have something to write about, so my students write about…
Unambiguously Bad Idea: The Universal Basic Income and the Wall
Second in a series. Our chapel series here this semester is on reconciliation. This week, among other things, the sermon invoked Bonhoeffer’s “cheap grace” and exhorted us not to seek a “cheap reconciliation.” I’m thinking about that as I sit down to explain why the universal basic income will not only give more power to racism, but also build the Wall…
Mission Organization Develops Business to Rebuild Countries
Soon after the Berlin Wall fell, Georges Dubi saw the need to initiate, support, and encourage business in Eastern Europe. Swiss-based Christliche Ostmission gave him the opportunity to do so in Romania. Ever since, the mission has been involved in helping develop the business sector, also in other developing countries. “So much more is possible,” says Georges, “If we are open to be inspired by…
Unambiguously Bad Idea: The Universal Basic Income and Racism
First in a series. A couple of speakers at the Faith at Work Summit presented the public policy idea of a Universal Basic Income as if it were unambiguously good and it had no downsides that needed to be mentioned, implying that all good people on both sides of the political aisle were, or should be, in favor of it.…
Seminary Spotlight: Western Seminary
By Josh Mathews and Derek Hiebert. Reprinted from the Oikonomia Network. The geographical and cultural context of the West coast offers some distinct opportunities for biblical and theological education. At Western Seminary, with our main campus in Portland and other locations up and down the West coast, we seek to live out our mission of gospel-centered transformation within this environment. As…
Faith and Work for Retirees: Serving Those in a New Season of Work
By Luke Bobo. Reprinted from Made to Flourish. When we think about retirement, we often think of men and women enjoying a season of leisure and rest — golf resorts, taking grandkids on vacation, and, most importantly, not working. But does the retiree still need a vision for how to spend their time in a way that benefits others through…
A Restaurant With a Mission: Stories From BAM Global, Part 1
With this post we begin a new series of excerpts from the book BAM Global Movement: Business as Mission Concept & Stories by Gea Gort and Mats Tunehag, with the kind permission of Hendrickson Publishers. Through working in my business, I’m experiencing more of God,” says Faouzi Chihabi. “I have my faith in my head and heart, but now it’s also flowing through…
