Learning to Love Your Abuser
Author’s note: Some readers will have an aversion to this subject. I would encourage you at some point to consider reading this article (when you’re able) as part of your healing journey. I once laughed at the Israelites for their hard-heartedness, which caused them to spend 40 years wandering in the wilderness instead of entering the promised land. As I approach the end of a 35-year career in medicine, I’ve come to the painful realization…
Should We Love the Sinner and Hate the Sin?
I’ve often heard church leaders say, “We need to love the sinner and hate the sin.” This phrase has been repeated so often it’s become a mantra that many of us recite without considering where it came from or what it actually means. It’s not easy to determine exactly where this saying originated. It’s not found anywhere in the Bible (as far as I can tell). In modern times, it’s been attributed to Mahatma Ghandi, but its origin…
Is Love Enough?
I’ve been thinking about the way in which we approach people who live differently than we do, and the methods we use to try to change the way in which they live. We see them doing all sorts of odd things and feel it’s our responsibility to confront them about their lifestyle. Many times, our confrontation takes the form of posting graphic images of abortion, impassioned messages against homosexuality, or some other message saying their behavior is wrong and…