Loving Rascal

  The purpose of my ministry is not to declare that we know your worldview (although it helps) and what it has to offer, but to genuinely see the world through their eyes to truly understand what agitates, inspires, or calms them—to feel as they feel. For example, in Gita 12, Krishna speaks of an ideal Devotee who treats both the foe and the friend equally. Those of us who view the text from a Western or Christian perspective might immediately ask: then, why did Krishna recommend Arjuna to participate in the war? Our question, shaped by our values, makes sense from how we perceive justice and peace in today's world.   Even so, the text is not written to answer this Western-oriented question. Instead, the text asks Arjuna a different question. If we look at the undergirding philosophical framework, we would see that in Krishna-Arjuna's worldview, doing one's duty honorably is the main concern. They define Dharma or righteousness as doing one's duty ...

Jesus appeared to Peter three times after the resurrection, anointed him, and sent him to be his witness (John 20-21). Still, Peter couldn't grasp the message. That's why Jesus asked him three times whether he loved Jesus and his Kingdom more than fishing. If he truly did, Peter wouldn't be bothering about fishing. Instead, he would be feeding and caring for Jesus' flock by giving them bread, which signifies God's word. Some scholars have wrongly connected Jesus' questions to Peter with Peter's denial. There is a connection between the denials and approvals, but it is not about three curses being overcome by three blessed confessions. Rather, it is a literary connection where three denotes some form of perfection. Peter denied Jesus perfectly, and Jesus perfectly made him confess his lack of love for Jesus. In the context of John 21, Jesus' conversation with Peter must be seen as an extended "call narrative." Jesus is surpr...