Posts by Joel Arnold
Grappling With the Mystery of the Incarnation
Joel Arnold It’s hard to think of many topics more abstract than mystery. God is one in essence, yet also exists in three persons in a way that transcends human comprehension… This is not the stuff of mommy-blogs and water-cooler discussions. But mystery came into the human world in an overwhelming way that has practical…
Read MoreWe All Want a Pope (or why Jesus is a better leader)
Joel Arnold As white smoke ascended above the roof of the Sistine chapel, the Catholic faithful packed St. Peter’s square, huddled under umbrellas in the cold and rain. Expectations, celebration, and the noise level all ran high when Francis I stepped forward, the first non-European pope in 1300 years. But you’re Protestant. Who cares about…
Read MoreGrappling With the Mystery of the Trinity
Joel Arnold It doesn’t take much experience on Planet Earth to learn that you don’t understand everything. After thousands of years of human research and reflection, plenty of subjects still elude the very sharpest minds. But strangely, we think that God is much simpler. Even though He created a world that outstretches our brains, we…
Read MoreConnecticut School Shooting: Coming to Grips with the Horror of Sin
Joel Arnold Working in a Starbucks several weeks ago, my thoughts were completely sidetracked by an old, dirty van that suddenly jerked to a stop at the curb. The man and woman inside were fighting. Screaming. Veins popping out of their necks; Man gets out and hurls his keys at a wall; not a pretty…
Read MoreGod’s Viewpoint of Hurricane Sandy
Joel Arnold 50 deaths. Somewhere between 20 and 50 billion dollars. Both numbers still rising. It’s been a costly week. Meanwhile, everyone from politicians to climate scientists is ready to seize the opportunity. We suffered a disaster. The nation is temporarily focused on one thing. Let the competition for audience and influence begin. There is…
Read MoreHonor to Whom Honor is Due
Joel Arnold All three debates done and less than 2 weeks left. Yesterday I overheard a loud conversation at a table next to me: “Obama lied so many times last night, Romney has to win.” Glad that’s taken care of. On the way home we passed a car covered in bumper stickers. “Republicans oppose big…
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