The Shroud of Turin

The Shroud of Turin is the proposed linen burial cloth of Jesus Christ, currently located in Turin, Italy. Scientists who have studied it agree that it contains human blood, 3D information of a naked male body with many wounds, and pollen from Israel. There are many other details on the cloth that correspond to Jesus’ … Read more

A Huge Theological Struggle

I have wrestled with many theological challenges, but one that has been especially perplexing is this: How can God seemingly support so much violence in the Old Testament while Christ—the perfect representation of God—taught and practiced nonviolence in the New Testament? To put the matter simply: Is God violent or nonviolent? I know some may … Read more

The Problem of Violence in Scripture

Violence is universally condemned. Parents around the world teach their children not to punch, kick, and bite. Countries have laws against battery and abuse. And international organizations promote peace between nations. So what do we do with all the violence in Scripture? I find it helpful to step back and look at the whole biblical … Read more

The Spiritual Exercises

One of the most influential Christian books of all time is The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius, written in 1522-1524. The author, Ignatius of Loyola, was a Spanish soldier who was injured in battle by a cannonball. While recovering, Ignatius was deeply impressed by a couple of books—one on the lives of the saints and … Read more

Was Christ Nonviolent?

I know that question may seem absurd. Jesus is world-famous for his teaching and example of nonviolence, sending shockwaves through our blood-soaked history, right down to Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. But was he completely nonviolent? Did he reject all forms of violence and all forms of violent rhetoric? Let’s begin with Christ’s teaching. … Read more