by Rich Hansen | Oct 13, 2020 | Provocative Questions
Note: A previously published version did not include the 8 principles at the end. My apologies. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” (Matt. 5:6) First observation: anyone who has been really hungry or...
by Rich Hansen | Oct 1, 2020 | Mission in Africa
Through the marvel of online streaming, last Saturday my wife and I participated in the ordination of a dear friend to the Anglican priesthood in Sheffield Cathedral, Sheffield, UK. The preacher at our friend’s ordination told this story. Imagine you are out...
by Rich Hansen | Sep 24, 2020 | Provocative Questions
The downtown church I served in California had a bar and nightclub across the alley behind the church building called Bogarts and Lulu’s. I was invited to attend a party to celebrate the bar’s two-year anniversary. Jill, the manager, took the microphone to speak to...
by Rich Hansen | Sep 17, 2020 | Provocative Questions
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” According to the Bible, how does someone become merciful? A prostitute came into a house where Jesus was having dinner hosted by a morally upright Pharisee, who was scandalized that Jesus would allow such a...
by Rich Hansen | Sep 8, 2020 | Provocative Questions
In my last article, “We Need More Meek (not Weak) People Today,” I argued that “Blessed are the Meek” is wrapped around a biblical view of power, the kind of power we see Jesus display throughout his ministry and especially in his sacrificial death on the...
