Thank you Andy for this great piece. We get worked up about secondary issues, ignoring the root causes. We humans have free will, and sadly that results in most of us to pretending there is no God, thereby putting us in His place. He has had a plan to deal with this dilemma since time began. The key ingredient is sending His son as a baby, who would be the sacrificial lamb to pay the price for our sins 33 years later. Hope for America and the world can only come by individuals recognizing these facts, and choosing to seek the forgiveness for our sins, through the only means of achieving peace with God and each other. Merry Christmas, Current readers. Spread the Good News!
His "Bible thumping" as you put it made sense initially, considering it is Christmas. Unfortunately, his Christian message devolved in this thread into an anti-Jesus, pro genocide message.
The only genocide in the Middle East is reflected in the chant from the river to the sea. The only genocide is Hamas, Hezbollah, etc. claiming Israel has no right to EXIST!
No, Jesus Christ could not sit back and neither could any actual Christian. I'm very surprised by the comments here in a message about Christmas, of all times.
Agree, the slaughter in Palestine as well as Ukraine and Russia are very anti-Christian and inhuman. Nothing could be more antithetical to the message of Jesus' birth.
Clearly, many of the problems we face today as a society has a root cause in Godlessness. I wonder what pronouns the left will assign to the Almighty these days?
I was raised a Catholic, went to Catholic schools, went to church every Sunday and was scared if I did the smallest thing wrong, I could go to hell. I didn’t know any better.
I sent my girls to Catholic school and wanted them to know and understand God and religion and we continued to go to church. And then things slowly changed. I didn’t go to church anymore even though my wife did.
What really made things go south was a trip my wife wanted to do really bad. She wanted to attend the Passion Play in Germany. We joined a bus tour where they prayed on the bus rides and went to mass every day. I refused to do both.
What I already knew but was really confirmed on that trip was how much wealth the Catholic had. I’m not trying to bash the church, but it bothered me knowing how the small parishes are always begging for money while the Church wallows in quite a stash of priceless art and massive churches.
And yet it’s not about a particular church, it’s about a belief in something greater than we can understand. I’m not going to go into where my head is with all this right now, but I feel strongly if you believe in God and it helps you with your life, that’s wonderful.
My view of your words Andy are not about preaching it’s about without some form faith in a higher power mankind will flounder. The higher power can be what you want it to be but having faith in something is kind of like a moral glue.
If you don’t think there are any consequences for bad behavior, then you continue with the bad behavior. We are witnessing this infection taking over America today like a dark plague of depravity.
My dear friend Henry, I too was raised Catholic. I believed there was a God and someday, when I died, I would know for sure. But, while in college, I met some Christian friends that taught me that my personal relationship with God can start in the here and now!!! It is personal, not religious or philosophical! It is as real, if not more real, than yours and my friendship! That is God, to this day, is willing to reveal Himself in person to anyone who seeks Him in spirit and in truth. Merry Christmas Henry!
Back at you, Andy. Merry Christmas. In fact Merry Christmas to all, regardless of what our beliefs are doesn't change we're all just simple humans. Ho ho ho.
The Foundation of our Western Judeo-Christian culture needs to be preserved with respect for our differences: tolerance not acceptance. A topic on this morning’s ‘Meet The Press’ was healing political divisiveness through Peace and Love, the importance of reaching out to mend relationships within families and communities referencing a portion of ‘Oh, Holy Night’. Retreating within religious or other protective cocoons to cope or avoid is a topic worth contemplating: introspection never hurts. Andy’s list of ‘isms’ is a good one. Time to get back to basics on multiple fronts: needs versus wants, respect for boundaries, imaging the realities of others through a different lens: theirs! Patriotism is on the rise as more Americans choose not to be spoon fed “answers”, rather choosing to analyze to think for themselves. One size doesn’t fit all. Why is religious doctrine too often forcefully co-mingled with public policy which then results in push back from the alienated, the marginalized? Individual Americans seek freedom to be. Teaching US and world history, civic duty, personal responsibility, and an understanding that the foundation of our Western Civilization comes from Judeo-Christian roots can unite us as Americans. Bible thumping is counterproductive — but tolerated.
Mr. Caldwell, you guys got me again. I started reading what I thought was a lovely article about the birth of Christ, and halfway through it turns into a sermon. If I want to hear a sermon, I will go to my place of worship. You do know the Bible was written by men, according to their interpretation of Gods word, right? Well anyway, Merry Christmas to you and yours.
I'll join the criticizing crew. If you criticize everything you do not agree with you'll spend your life being cynical. Chances are they will not change. I did it most of my life. God is not about repent or go to hell. Richard met God (YouTube) and cried talking about God's unconditional love. It happened at Cottage Hospital. I can tell 50 stories like that including Lety who helped my wife deal with Alzheimer's and was healed the night before a major surgery from a tumor where she looked 7 months pregnant and said Jesus did it.
We blame God for a lot and ignore 2 Cor. 4:4 satan is the god of this world.
Grace and the peace that passeth all understanding. Powerful stuff.
When Carl Jung was asked if he believed in God, he replied, I don't believe in God; I know there is God. Something transcendent. Something even rock-ribbed Unitarians believe it.
I enjoy reading about people’s passions and god stories/beliefs. With over 300 variations of Christianity and 800-900 other known religions, the various beliefs are fascinating. I hope your story brings you comfort and we all learn to respect each other’s beliefs. Wouldn’t that honor the Great Commandment and bring a greater sense of love to the World as Jesus, Buddha and other great teachers have taught?
Thank you Andy for this great piece. We get worked up about secondary issues, ignoring the root causes. We humans have free will, and sadly that results in most of us to pretending there is no God, thereby putting us in His place. He has had a plan to deal with this dilemma since time began. The key ingredient is sending His son as a baby, who would be the sacrificial lamb to pay the price for our sins 33 years later. Hope for America and the world can only come by individuals recognizing these facts, and choosing to seek the forgiveness for our sins, through the only means of achieving peace with God and each other. Merry Christmas, Current readers. Spread the Good News!
Thank you for this. It is accurate, true and the lifeline to a lost world.
Beautiful Andy
Andy, I love your show every day and agree with so many of your things, but this Bible thumping is a nonstarter
Bible thumping? Its Christmas!!! Jesus came for one reason and one reason only, to offer up himself as a sacrifice for the world's sins.
This is not bible thumping, rather the truth of all truth! Merry Christmas. We are so blessed!!
Many mountains reach into the sky.
Jessica
Jesus Christ loves you.
Get to know him!
His "Bible thumping" as you put it made sense initially, considering it is Christmas. Unfortunately, his Christian message devolved in this thread into an anti-Jesus, pro genocide message.
The only genocide in the Middle East is reflected in the chant from the river to the sea. The only genocide is Hamas, Hezbollah, etc. claiming Israel has no right to EXIST!
It is war and Israel didn't start this war. I am sure you have no heartbreak over the Oct 7 MASSACRE do you?
Absolutely! God led Abraham to the land and told him He would give it to his descendants forever!
No, Jesus Christ could not sit back and neither could any actual Christian. I'm very surprised by the comments here in a message about Christmas, of all times.
Agree, the slaughter in Palestine as well as Ukraine and Russia are very anti-Christian and inhuman. Nothing could be more antithetical to the message of Jesus' birth.
Andy, that was beautiful.
Clearly, many of the problems we face today as a society has a root cause in Godlessness. I wonder what pronouns the left will assign to the Almighty these days?
I was raised a Catholic, went to Catholic schools, went to church every Sunday and was scared if I did the smallest thing wrong, I could go to hell. I didn’t know any better.
I sent my girls to Catholic school and wanted them to know and understand God and religion and we continued to go to church. And then things slowly changed. I didn’t go to church anymore even though my wife did.
What really made things go south was a trip my wife wanted to do really bad. She wanted to attend the Passion Play in Germany. We joined a bus tour where they prayed on the bus rides and went to mass every day. I refused to do both.
What I already knew but was really confirmed on that trip was how much wealth the Catholic had. I’m not trying to bash the church, but it bothered me knowing how the small parishes are always begging for money while the Church wallows in quite a stash of priceless art and massive churches.
And yet it’s not about a particular church, it’s about a belief in something greater than we can understand. I’m not going to go into where my head is with all this right now, but I feel strongly if you believe in God and it helps you with your life, that’s wonderful.
My view of your words Andy are not about preaching it’s about without some form faith in a higher power mankind will flounder. The higher power can be what you want it to be but having faith in something is kind of like a moral glue.
If you don’t think there are any consequences for bad behavior, then you continue with the bad behavior. We are witnessing this infection taking over America today like a dark plague of depravity.
My dear friend Henry, I too was raised Catholic. I believed there was a God and someday, when I died, I would know for sure. But, while in college, I met some Christian friends that taught me that my personal relationship with God can start in the here and now!!! It is personal, not religious or philosophical! It is as real, if not more real, than yours and my friendship! That is God, to this day, is willing to reveal Himself in person to anyone who seeks Him in spirit and in truth. Merry Christmas Henry!
Back at you, Andy. Merry Christmas. In fact Merry Christmas to all, regardless of what our beliefs are doesn't change we're all just simple humans. Ho ho ho.
Mr. Schulte: You might find the movie ‘Conclave’ of interest. Separation of ‘Church’ from ‘Faith’. Thank you for your post.
One of my own favorite spiritual insights: the Reward of leading a Good Life, is the good life itself.
This was gleaned from an exploration into comparative religions. I believe it was from the chapter on Judaism.
The Foundation of our Western Judeo-Christian culture needs to be preserved with respect for our differences: tolerance not acceptance. A topic on this morning’s ‘Meet The Press’ was healing political divisiveness through Peace and Love, the importance of reaching out to mend relationships within families and communities referencing a portion of ‘Oh, Holy Night’. Retreating within religious or other protective cocoons to cope or avoid is a topic worth contemplating: introspection never hurts. Andy’s list of ‘isms’ is a good one. Time to get back to basics on multiple fronts: needs versus wants, respect for boundaries, imaging the realities of others through a different lens: theirs! Patriotism is on the rise as more Americans choose not to be spoon fed “answers”, rather choosing to analyze to think for themselves. One size doesn’t fit all. Why is religious doctrine too often forcefully co-mingled with public policy which then results in push back from the alienated, the marginalized? Individual Americans seek freedom to be. Teaching US and world history, civic duty, personal responsibility, and an understanding that the foundation of our Western Civilization comes from Judeo-Christian roots can unite us as Americans. Bible thumping is counterproductive — but tolerated.
Thanks for the timely reminder!
Mr. Caldwell, you guys got me again. I started reading what I thought was a lovely article about the birth of Christ, and halfway through it turns into a sermon. If I want to hear a sermon, I will go to my place of worship. You do know the Bible was written by men, according to their interpretation of Gods word, right? Well anyway, Merry Christmas to you and yours.
I'll join the criticizing crew. If you criticize everything you do not agree with you'll spend your life being cynical. Chances are they will not change. I did it most of my life. God is not about repent or go to hell. Richard met God (YouTube) and cried talking about God's unconditional love. It happened at Cottage Hospital. I can tell 50 stories like that including Lety who helped my wife deal with Alzheimer's and was healed the night before a major surgery from a tumor where she looked 7 months pregnant and said Jesus did it.
We blame God for a lot and ignore 2 Cor. 4:4 satan is the god of this world.
Thank you so much for this article...perfect for our Christmas message!
Andy
Thanks for such a great column.
You are a treasure!
Grace and the peace that passeth all understanding. Powerful stuff.
When Carl Jung was asked if he believed in God, he replied, I don't believe in God; I know there is God. Something transcendent. Something even rock-ribbed Unitarians believe it.
Merry Christmas, Andy!
I enjoy reading about people’s passions and god stories/beliefs. With over 300 variations of Christianity and 800-900 other known religions, the various beliefs are fascinating. I hope your story brings you comfort and we all learn to respect each other’s beliefs. Wouldn’t that honor the Great Commandment and bring a greater sense of love to the World as Jesus, Buddha and other great teachers have taught?