 |
|
| Update
Newsletters |
|
Christian Vegetarian Association
Blog
Discussions
Update Newsletters
Take
Heart!
Take Heart Contents
| Animal Issues | Articles |
Bible | Children |
Devotionals | Environment
| Food | Health |
Opinion | Quotations |
Recipes |
Update Newsletters
21 April 2010 Issue
1. New CVA Booklet
2. Attention Ohio Members
3. Activist Feedback
4. This Week’s Sermon from Rev. Frank and Mary Hoffman
5. Some Features of the All-Creatures.Org Ministry
6. Commentary on the Lectionary “I and the Father are one”1. New CVA Booklet
To view our new booklet Would Jesus Eat Meat Today? go to www.christianveg.org/honoring.htm .
2. Attention Ohio Members
We need volunteers to gather signatures for an important ballot initiative to end some of the worst abuses of factory farming.
For more information, go to www.ohiohumane.org.
3. Activist Feedback
Yavonne, who leafleted with Jessica and Colin at the Portland, OR Family Force 5-The Rock and Worship Road Show on March 27, writes, “It was a good event to leaflet and people were quite receptive. In total, we distributed 784 booklets. Thanks!”
4. This Week’s Sermon from Rev. Frank and Mary Hoffman
It’s All Right to Be Compassionate
http://www.all-creatures.org/sermons97/s2apr89f.html5. Some Features of the All-Creatures.Org Ministry
Rev. Frank and Mary Hoffman provide a weekly eNewsletter. To see the most recent eNewsletter, go to http://www.all-creatures.org/articles/news-20100415.html . To receive it weekly, send an e-mail flh@all-creatures.org .
All-Creatures.org also sponsors the Veg-Christian discussion list. For information or to join, send an e-mail to flh@all-creatures.org .
6. Commentary on the Lectionary
April 25, John 10:22-30 “I and the Father are one”
This commentary marks the one-year anniversary of this series of weekly commentaries and essays. I welcome feedback on individual essays and on the series in general, which can be sent to cva@christianveg.org.
This week’s Gospel passage ends with Jesus declaring, “I and the Father are one.” What does this mean? Christian theologians have given considerable thought to this question, and this declaration has been central to seeing Jesus as God incarnate. Rather than trying to discern in what ways Jesus was divine, I would like to emphasize some important implications of what it means for Jesus and God to be one.
We can’t see or feel God, and it is difficult for us to model our lives on God who, as best we can tell, doesn’t share human physical or psychological experiences. On the other hand, we have reports about what Jesus said and did. We are told that Jesus had the same feelings, desires, and temptations as other humans. Therefore, we can use Jesus as a model for how to live our lives. Among his attributes, the biblical consistently shows Jesus to be a man of compassion, concern, and consideration. He aimed to hurt no one, and in many cases he helped prevent harm to innocent individuals.
I cannot imagine such a person surveying modern factory farming, with its abuse of animals; its harm to God’s earth; and its deleterious effects on poor and hungry people, and declaring it good. Jesus said, “You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). We can’t be perfect, because our egocentric desires cause us to stumble. But we are called to aim for perfection, and towards that end, a plant-based diet is a big step in the right direction.
Stephen R. Kaufman, M.D.
Your question and comments are welcome
| Copyright 2008 © Christian Vegetarian Association. All rights reserved. |
