Patrik Olterman
LGBTQ part 9 – The Salvation Army
Read more: LGBTQ part 9 – The Salvation ArmyThe problem persists in the Salvation Army, of today. In which way can we include LGBTQ persons in our fellowship without creating groupings; an A team and a B team? How can the Corps offer (church) membership in the Salvation Army in a positive manner that allows LGBTQ persons to feel valued, appreciated and loved…
LGBTQ part 8 – Four possible approaches
Read more: LGBTQ part 8 – Four possible approachesThere are probably as many ways to approach LGBTQ issues as there are people with opinions. What follows is a summary of the second half of “One family’s story” written by Bishop Paul Wenner Egertson and found in Walter Wink’s book: Homosexuality and the Christian Faith (pages 28-30). Bishop Paul Wenner Egertson depicts four different approaches to…
LGBTQ part 7 – Pastoral care
Read more: LGBTQ part 7 – Pastoral careThe LGBTQ issue has always created friction between the way we understand and interpret the Bible’s view of holiness and how we as pastors are to preserve order, caring for and counselling LGBTQ people. The greatest dichotomy is perhaps between whether we are called to “liberate” LGBTQ people or to have a conversation with LGBTQ…
LGBTQ part 6 – Double standards
Read more: LGBTQ part 6 – Double standardsThe church in general and the SA in particular (at least for the moment) in the aftermath of the Eyewitness News program “Cold Facts” – followed closely in FSAOF blog) is under constant attack from the public where the Church is called to account for the prevailing double standards and selective biblical adherence. There are…
LGBTQ part 5 – Jesus
Read more: LGBTQ part 5 – JesusAfter a review of the scriptures that have traditionally been used to describe and condemn homosexual acts, it’s deemed important to consider Jesus’ awkward silence on the issue. It is not unimportant to note that Jesus did not speak out on this issue. Jesus is the head of the Church and the individual disciples’ headmaster.…
LGBTQ part 4 – Scripture
Read more: LGBTQ part 4 – ScriptureOf course, one must carefully consider the scripture portions that deal with homosexuality. It may be interesting to take into account the fact that there are six Bible verses (three OT and three NT) and two Old Testament stories traditionally associated with homosexuality. Set this against the more than 600 Bible verses that talk about…
LGBTQ part 3 – Science
Read more: LGBTQ part 3 – SciencePart 3 -2012 LGBTQ and Science Before moving to and delving into the depth of the biblical text, we might want to look at what science has to say on the GLBT issue, primarily to clarify the position (starting point) on which the following texts are based. An entire dissertation could be written on what science…
LGBTQ part 2 – Hermeneutics
Read more: LGBTQ part 2 – HermeneuticsLGBTQ Part – 2 “ We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God, and that they only constitute the Divine rule of Christian faith and practice.“ These are the opening words of the Salvation Army’s eleven doctrines. And it is here that one must begin each theological discussion.…
LGBTQ part 1 – Introduction
Read more: LGBTQ part 1 – IntroductionPart 1 – Introduction From the Swedish – HBTQ: Homosexual. Bisexual, Transgender, Queer movement in Sweden 2012 It was an ordinary day (as if there are ordinary days for those who follow the Spirit’s leading), and the Holy Spirit tells Philip that he must go down to the desert road. There Philip is instructed to stay…
LGBTQ – Prelogos
Read more: LGBTQ – PrelogosI have written an extensive blog series (12 posts) on my Swedish blog about LGBTQ issues within the church in general and the Salvation Army in Sweden in particular. I was undecided whether or not I should post it in english as well, but when Sven Jungholm asked last week if he could translate and post…
Death by halfling
Read more: Death by halflingSSG Malmö is now running both adult classes and an extensive junior program. Last night we kicked of this seasons first Abrazare training with a little Spada on top. We did lots of flow drills and ended up with some ground work and sparring with the long sword. Today we opened up SSG “Mobbsäker” with…
NaNoWriMo Update.
Read more: NaNoWriMo Update.Last night I passed the mythical 50.000 word mark on my novel S-tech – Soul Filter. The novel is not yet finished although it is definitely on the last stretch. The few who have read the first part of the book are asking for more so I guess I need to decide whether I should…
Birthday week appeal
Read more: Birthday week appealIt is that time of the year again. Time to realise I have gotten older and ask myself what I did with the last year. As it turns out I have done quite a lot and think I may have much in the last year to be thankful for. I am in the middle…
NaNoWriMo – Feedback needed
Read more: NaNoWriMo – Feedback neededSo here we are week one of NaNoWriMo over, so far so good, I logged 18.000 words in the first week which si the longest piece of writing I have ever written. I feel a bit like Sam Gamgee when he stops and says: “This is it, if I take one more step, it’ll be…
NaNoWriMo
Read more: NaNoWriMoAs every other wannabe writer, I have a whole drawer full of ideas for books, both novels and theological fiction.It has always been my aspiration to put these ideas into action and publish some of them. As every other wannabe writer I have been putting this of for years. So I have decided this year…
Christian Pirates
Read more: Christian PiratesFrom Wikipedia: Piracy is a war-like act committed by non-state actors (private parties not affiliated with any government) against other parties at sea. The term applies especially to acts of robbery and/or criminal violence at sea. People who engage in these acts are called pirates. What could this possibly have to do with Christianity? Christianity…
Insurrection
Read more: InsurrectionInsurrection: To Believe Is Human, To Doubt Is Divine by Peter Rollins My rating: 5 of 5 stars If you have been following Peter Rollins four a while you will find nothing new in this latest release, it is simply all those messages, thoughts, parables and stories woven together in a beautiful but very disruptive…
Willing sacrifice
Read more: Willing sacrificeThe old ram trotted past the weird couple walking ahead. An old man and his adolescent son, fear and angst reeking of the uprights, making their way up the old mountain path. The ram didn’t worry, he was to old. And certainly to old to care. He new it was his time, but each time…
And the angels held their breath
Read more: And the angels held their breathBonsai Christians
Read more: Bonsai ChristiansI was in the middle of conversation at Street Church during the Malmö festival that the thought struck me. The word just popped into my head and fit so nicely on the tongue. Bonsai Christians. For those of you who are confused, Bonsai is the Japanese art of growing a plant in a tray (Bon…
Will the real sodomite please stand up.
Read more: Will the real sodomite please stand up.We are talking about homosexuality, grace, church at the corps right now. It is astounding to note how much bad theology and how sloppy exegesis we have let become the foundation of our stance on the issue of homosexuality. It is scary to realise that we have let a handful obscure (hard to translate with…
Sacramentally branded
Read more: Sacramentally brandedA few days ago I was talking to a friend who was showing of a beautiful griffon inked on her arm, I let slip that next time we’d see each other I would be branded, she looked at me nonplussed and said “you have always been branded”. I was stunned into silence by the truth…
Patrik Olterman reading from the first chapter of called to be me.
Read more: Patrik Olterman reading from the first chapter of called to be me.Listen! View at audioboo.fm
Is the evangelical church going to toss out C.S. Lewis?
Read more: Is the evangelical church going to toss out C.S. Lewis?He is definitely one of the great, author, theologian, thinker, philosopher. Lewis is mostly known for the Chronicles of Narnia but in the protestant church many have read Mere Christianity and a handful have ventured into his great discourses on theology like The Problem of Pain and The Great Divorce. My personal favourites are his…
Confrontation or Conversation
Read more: Confrontation or ConversationHad I known that this was going to be such a dissenting issue I might have stayed away, I say might because I do not know that in the end I could have stayed silent on such an important issue as Gods grace and love. Our corps (which is still in it’s infancy as a…
