Philip Friesen

Introduction to OT Roots of Nonviolence

On a sunny day in 2001, the World Trade Center in New York was completely demolished. Those who flew the planes and those who sent them did so, as they claimed, in the name of God. More than three thousand years ago, the city of Jericho was similarly destroyed and devoted in destruction to God. What was the difference between these two events? Four thousand years ago Abraham devoted his son to God and...

Philip Friesen

NATURE, GENDER, AND THE IMAGE OF GOD

The invisible things of Him from the Creation of the World are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made- Romans 1:18 The natural world exists by reason of an imbalance that keeps the world going. Imbalance of nature creates wind and weather and the movement of continents. It keeps the stars and planets in motion. Perfect equilibrium would be death.From physics we understand the...

Philip Friesen

Homosexual “Identity” and Biblical Ethics

Hello Pastor J Thanks for tossing out a ball at our last cluster meeting by sharing chapter 7 of Anne Krabill Hershberger’s book.1 I’d like to keep the ball in the air for a while. There is really little in the chapter I could disagree with, but one statement seems problematic as follows: “We can agree that we should not define gay persons by their sexual orientation, Joe is a pastor, Jane is a...

Philip Friesen

The Homosexual Identity?

Dear Pastor J Thanks for tossing out a ball at our last cluster meeting by sharing chapter 7 of Anne Krabill Hershberger’s book.1 I’d like to keep the ball in the air for a while. There is really little in the chapter I could disagree with, but one statement seems problematic as follows: “We can agree that we should not define gay persons by their sexual orientation, Joe is a pastor, Jane is a...

Philip Friesen

A BLESSING FOR HOMOSEXUALS AND THOSE WHO MINISTER TO THEM

A BLESSING FOR HOMOSEXUALS AND THOSE WHO MINISTER TO THEM To Cynthia Lapp, Mennonite Pastor Thank you so much for coming out to Central Plains and blessing us with your thoughts and burden for the poor, the oppressed, and the homosexuals among these groups. I do not want any differences we have to preclude a blessing, and I have attempted to write a blessing for you and those under your ministry. In the...