Paul Louis Metzger
Patheos
Portland, OR, United States
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Past articles by Paul Louis:
Don’t Minimize or Mock: #MeToo May Become You, Too.
For various reasons, we should not minimize cases of sexual misconduct. Nor should we mock women and men who come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct. The day may come when your own loved ones may be victims of sexual misconduct and abuse. Who will listen to you then, if you minimize and mock others now? → Read More
The Mueller Report and Divine Judgment
We have been getting glimpses of the recently submitted “Mueller Report.” Those favoring President Trump and those opposing him have sought to leverage the report for their political agendas. → Read More
Do We Approach People with Disabilities with a Disabled Imagination?
It is important we don't maximize the challenges people with disabilities face whereby we minimize their persons. So, in addition to addressing biological and medical considerations, we must consider how we can reduce society's imaginative and emotional impairments and increase sensitivity and awareness. → Read More
Do You Belong to a Significant Church?
I come across the language “significant church” or “significant churches” in different conversations. What comes to your mind when you hear such expressions? Regardless of our answers, we must come to terms with the fact that every Christian community is significant because Jesus is the church. → Read More
Jesus’ Birth Defines Divine Meekness — Strength Under Control
We must come to terms with the fact that Jesus' beatitude on meekness was as foreign in Jesus’ day as it is in our own. All too often, people manifest strength out of control with bravado and gusto. In contrast, Jesus’ birth—indeed his entire life—defines and exemplifies divine meekness--strength under control. → Read More
Post-Election, Pre-Christmas: In Whom Do We Hope?
As we come to terms with the 2018 election results, and as we move forward toward Christmas this year, in whom do we hope? Perhaps we are even looking past this Christmas toward the U.S. Presidential election in 2020 in search of our ultimate hope. So, I ask again: in whom do we hope? → Read More
After Sports and Politics, How Much Emotional Space and Energy Is Left for Religion?
Where do you and I invest our most cherished emotional space? If our political candidates or sports teams do not win, what does that do to us? Do our worlds cave in, or are we standing because God is our ultimate reward and Jesus’ kingdom reign our victory? → Read More
Would You Cast Your Vote for Jesus as President?
You learn a great deal about someone based on their political values and why they vote for this or that candidate for President. You also learn a great deal about someone based on why they decide to follow Jesus. Will you and I cast our vote and life for him? → Read More
The End Does Not Justify the Means, Mr. President.
Last week, President Donald Trump ridiculed Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s Senate testimony. Just as troubling as his mockery of Dr. Ford was the applause and laughter of those standing behind him. While such ridicule and mockery have helped him win to this point, the end does not justify the means. → Read More
What Is a Real Muslim? Who Gets to Decide?
After returning from the mosque years ago, one of my students remarked, “I was hoping we would have heard from a real Muslim.” What is a real Muslim? → Read More
Don’t Rush to a Supreme Court Decision. The Judicial Process Is at Stake.
The American Bar Association called yesterday for delaying a Senate vote on Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination until the FBI can investigate allegations of sexual misconduct. → Read More
Freedom of Religion & Freedom from Religion
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you entails granting unto others their religious freedom or freedom from religion, just as you would have them grant religious freedom to you. → Read More
Life with Christians & Muslims Is Like a Box of Chocolates
I like Forrest Gump’s analogy: life is like a box of chocolates. Of course, life comes with big risks, but many of those risks come with pleasant surprises, including the opportunity to build lasting friendships involving Christians and Muslims here in the States. → Read More
Breaking the Law is Quintessentially American and Biblical
I find a lot of “They broke the law…Send them back” claims in the immigration debate. While the claims may be intended to shut down the debate, they only open Pandora’s Box. After all, breaking the law is quintessentially American. → Read More
Be Guarded with the Use of the Nazi and Anarchist Labels
It is important that we guard against sweeping allegations, including the use of labels like “Hitler” or “Nazi,” “anarchist” or “traitor” to refer to those with one disagrees strongly. → Read More
Judge People on the Content of Their Character, Not Country of Origin or Religion
Judge people based on the content of their character, not country of origin or religion. That sounds like something Dr. King would say, but not President Trump. → Read More
Casual Sex and Casual Faith: A Fatal Fixation
Casual sex can refer to one night stands and non-relational sex, where there are no strings attached. How often do people approach God in similarly casual ways? → Read More
Jesus and Jerusalem: A Complex and Troubling Relationship
Evangelical Zionists who fixate on Jerusalem threaten not only the ultimate peace process, but also witness to Jesus among the very diverse peoples he came to save. → Read More
The Christian Life: Is it a Grand Escape or a Great Engagement?
Some historical treatments of Christian theology present it as if it is a series of moves that import God to fill gaps in our scientific knowledge only to retreat when the divine placeholder is no longer needed. I will leave that historiographical judgment for another time. So, please hold a place for it. For now, … → Read More
What Words Would You Want Inscribed on Your Tombstone?
Years ago, when I was a resident member of the Center of Theological Inquiry in Princeton, New Jersey, my family and I walked through Princeton Cemetery. Once referred to as the Westminster Abby of the United States, the Princeton Cemetery is the resting grounds for such luminaries as Jonathan Edwards, Aaron Burr, and Grover Cleveland. [Read More...] → Read More