Faith and Doubt Rom-Com

May 04, 2020 by Jonathan Malone

It is safe to say that with faith and doubt, one could not exist without the other. Doubt, in part, defines faith and faith, in part, defines doubt. Yet we have our preferences, and I wonder if we are living in a time when doubt takes a place that is higher than faith. Faith still persists, just not in the divine or the other. Faith is in the known, in the fact, in that which is certain. I am waiting for doubt to shake the tree, to rattle the foundations of this new form of belief. As long as we encounter the unknown, we will have a place for doubt and a place for faith.

Certainty and Unknowing

November 14, 2017 by Jonathan Malone

We need a theology of uncertainty. It is a theology that does not look for answers, but looks to question, to muse, and to play, with a deep reverence and respect and awe towards the relationship with God. It is a theology that celebrates a freedom in that relationship to do so. It is a theological approach that fundamentally holds to the idea that we are called to question and grow in our relationship with the divine.

Gee, Thanks...

April 05, 2016 by Jonathan Malone

We are called to be thankful, to show our gratitude. In our trust of God, through our relationship with God in Christ, and by our actions may we demonstrate our gratitude for all the gifts that we have received from the Lord. Don’t write God a thank-you note, show God your gratitude for all your gifts and take a chance with your very life.

The Good Work of Doubt

February 13, 2016 by Jonathan Malone

It is not easy to allow ourselves to doubt. In the realm of faith it means looking closely at what we believe and asking we can really embrace that faith. It means questioning many of the basic assumptions of our faith and that can be scary and challenging especially if it is a faith that we grew up with. Yet it could mean a deeper and mature hope on the other side.

Faith in Changing Times

January 23, 2016 by Jonathan Malone

We all have to deal with change whether it be reactionary, conciliatory or somewhere in-between. Look at the history of religions and movements of faith and you will find that the majority of the conflicts that occur seem to be focused around wrestling and responding to change in one way or another.

The Mystery of Proof

December 26, 2015 by Jonathan Malone

So how can we be expected to believe in God when we cannot show or experience God? How do we believe in God when we cannot find any mystery in the world in which to place the presence of God Perhaps, instead of looking for the presence and existence of God, we should be looking for mystery that still continues today.

Pretending Faith

December 11, 2015 by Jonathan Malone

We will all have those times when we do not feel like worshipping, praying, or if we have any connection with the divine at all. It may talk all of our faith to simply go through the motions. And yet, to just go through the motions might be enough.

We Need to Talk...

December 23, 2014 by Jonathan Malone

We need to talk about sexuality. In a religious context, in our churches, we need to talk about homosexuality, heterosexuality, and sexuality in general. We need to talk about because to have these kinds of conversations (the difficult ones) is basic to what it means to be a part of a church community.

A Political Devotional

December 12, 2014 by Jonathan Malone

To claim to be devoid of politics in the religious sphere is disingenuous; religion is, by nature, political and speaks to the current political context in one way or another. At one level or another to read scripture, to pray, or to attend and participate in worship is a political act.

Worlds of Faith

November 20, 2014 by Jonathan Malone

In many ways faith is about world-building. We are not creating the world we live in, but offering explanations and descriptions for why the world is as it is. We start with certain assumptions and shared beliefs like the belief in the existence of God and that this God is love. Such a assumption shapes our view and experience of the world. From there we try to make sense of our experiences, we try to explain the dissonances, and we try to understand the world in which we dwell based on those assumptions.