Author Archives: rthenderson

About rthenderson

Sixty years a pastor-teacher within the Presbyterian Church. Author of several books, the latest of which are a trilogy on missional ecclesiology: ENCHANTED COMMUNITY: JOURNEY INTO THE MYSTERY OF THE CHURCH, then, REFOUNDING THE CHURCH FROM THE UNDERSIDE, then THE CHURCH AND THE RELENTLESS DARKNESS. Previous to this trilogy was A DOOR OF HOPE: SPIRITUAL CONFLICT IN PASTORAL MINISTRY, and SUBVERSIVE JESUS, RADICAL FAITH. I am a native of West Palm Beach, Florida, a graduate of Davidson College, then of Columbia and Westminster Theological Seminaries.

BLOG 5/25/18. THE DISRUPTIVE GOSPEL OF PEACE

Posted on May 25, 2018 by

BLOG 5/25/18. THE DISRUPTIVE GOSPEL OF PEACE  I am increasing fascinated by the New Testament designation of the message of Jesus Christ as the gospel of peace. In Paul’s word of caution to the church about the ever-present malice of … Continue reading →

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BLOG 5/22/18. “FORSAKING ALL OTHERS …”

Posted on May 22, 2018 by

BLOG 5/22/18. “FORSAKING ALL OTHERS …” With the wedding of royal couple fresh in our minds, it might be a good time to take a fresh look at vows, at faithfulness and unfaithfulness. The royal couple looking deeply into one … Continue reading →

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BLOG 5/18/18. IS THERE SUCH A THING AS A ‘CHRISTIAN’ NOVEL?

Posted on May 18, 2018 by

  BLOG 5/18/18. IS THERE SUCH A THING AS A ‘CHRISTIAN’ NOVEL? In a recent dinner-table conversation, I was asked whether I had read somebody’s ‘Christian novel.’ I had never even heard of the author, or of any of the … Continue reading →

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BLOG 5/15/18. A CONVENIENTLY IGNORED TEACHING OF JESUS

Posted on May 15, 2018 by

BLOG 5/15/18. A CONVENIENTLY IGNORED TEACHING OF JESUS It is such an enormous blessing for those of us who profess to be followers of Jesus Christ, that we have the documentation of his life and teachings by eyewitnesses, or by … Continue reading →

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BLOG 5/11/18. MY ‘GADFLY’ JOURNALS

Posted on May 11, 2018 by

BLOG 5/11/18. MY ‘GADFLY’ JOURNALS I was surprised by the several comments I received about my recent blog on Frodo as a model of faithfulness. I agree, and I identify with him since I am also an unlikely bearer of … Continue reading →

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BLOG 5/8/18. FRODO: A MODEL OF FAITHFULNESS

Posted on May 8, 2018 by

BLOG 5/8/18. FRODO: A MODEL OF FAITHFULNESS It might surprise my readers, but I find the diminutive and rustic hobbit, Frodo, in J. R. R. Tolkien’s epic Lord of the of the Rings, to be a model for me of … Continue reading →

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BLOG 5/4/28. THE PRINCE OF DARKNESS IS NO DUMMY

Posted on May 4, 2018 by

BLOG 5/4/18. THE PRINCE OF DARKNESS IS NO DUMMY This certainly is no moment in our history to be naïve about the reality of the designs of the prince of darkness, nor of the reality of his being. From the … Continue reading →

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BLOG 5/1/18. WHY ARE WE SO RELUCTANT TO BE HONEST IN CONFRONTING DEATH?

Posted on May 1, 2018 by

BLOG 5/1/18. WHY ARE WE SO RELUCTANT TO BE HONEST IN CONFRONTING DEATH? Let me see if I can do you a favor. Let me raise the issue and help us all to come to grips with the issue of … Continue reading →

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BLOG 4/27/18. IT’S INTERESTING HOW JESUS DEFINES TRUE DISCIPLESHIP

Posted on April 27, 2018 by

BLOG 4/27/18: IT’S INTERESTING HOW JESUS DEFINES TRUE DISCIPLESHIP? What with all of the assertions about, and definitions of, those who profess to be followers of Jesus Christ, it is worth taking a step back and looking at how Jesus … Continue reading →

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BLOG 4/24/18. HOW DOES ONE ENGAGE AGEING WITH HOPE?

Posted on April 23, 2018 by

BLOG 4/24/18. HOW DOES ONE ENGAGE AGEING WITH HOPE AND JOY? A couple of months ago, when I was spoke in this blog about my impending 90th birthday, I got back some interesting comments asking if it got any easier … Continue reading →

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