Readers of this blog on Blogger may or may not know that I also host this blog on Substack. Readers of this blog on Substack may or may not know that the newsletter you receive is hosted at my original home on blogspot.
When I a had a budding interest in going into ordained ministry a few years ago, my bishop said that because I am in the middle ground politically and theologically, I would get demonized by both sides. It's a sad statement of how much we like to believe in our own self righteousness instead of being focused on the building of individual character and general well-being of society.
I come to your blog exactly because you are a realist and try your best to be thoughtful and introspective about the issues that face our society and culture. I appreciate your honesty and idiosyncratic posts...they are like a breath of fresh air in my email box!
Dr Beck, the reason I subscribe is that your perspective is different than any other Christian teacher that I know of. You are able to articulate things that I’m seeing or brooding on but haven’t found words for yet. Why aren’t there more of you?? God bless you and your loved ones.
I came to this blog when I heard you on a podcast and loved your insight about capitalism redefining what matters and who matters.... and how we are lost without an external moral guide that we believe comes from God...or for me, I would say, "something greater than ourselves that is universal." I found you, found your blog, and here I am. I am very progressive in the old fashioned way, an old-time liberal focused more on the economics injustices and greed and seeing through the lens of a therapist and what is destroying our society...from inequality, to technology, to capitalism, and ache for those in despair. I am also not the culture wars huckleberry, but hold fast to dignity and respect for all... like I said, an old time liberal.. not the angry, black and white thinking of today's movement...not that I am not angry about today's sick society. I am. I find you stimulating, welcome views other than my own, and seek insights and challenges to my own thought process... so I am in.
I've been following along for the best part of ten years, in large part precisely because of the non-polarised nature of your musings here. Long may they continue.
I've been following you fot more years than I can recall. A focused voice of sanity in a world with all kinds of folks running around with their hair on fire.
It is exactly your commitment to the way of Jesus -- and thinking radically about that -- that makes me appreciate your comments, Richard. I applaud your commitment to being self-critical. It makes me think of the song by Stealers Wheel,
I am not seeking the right (though I would lean that way) or left (though much more in the last six years for sure) but rather I am seeking what is true. Is the truth right or left? I don’t know. I’m not sure it has a “right or left”. You help me find and understand what is true Dr. Beck, and for that I am grateful.
I just moved my subscription from blogpost to Substack because of this post, because Substack is much easier for me to keep up with. I wanted to disable e-mail notifications, though, which means I've accidentally unsubscribed and resubscribed about 4 or 5 times in the space of ten minutes. Some completely un-ideological wobbling!
I find you to be refreshing more often than not. I've walked away from my former polarized way of thinking. You've been part of the journey. I discovered you by reading "Old Scratch." I posted some quotes on social media and got hammered by one "friend." I couldn't figure out what I referenced that was offensive. Anyway; keep being faithful and a blessing.
Having read your blog faithfully for more years than I care to remember, I can surely confirm that those 'oscillations' are what make you a living presence in the Christian community. You reveal a profound respect for your readers by forcing nobody to see the world through an exclusively 'Right' or 'Left' prism. As a reader, I consider myself blessed and lucky. The likes of you are all too rare on the web. May the light of the Lord remain with you throughout this season of Lent. And do not hesitate to keep oscillating ...
When I a had a budding interest in going into ordained ministry a few years ago, my bishop said that because I am in the middle ground politically and theologically, I would get demonized by both sides. It's a sad statement of how much we like to believe in our own self righteousness instead of being focused on the building of individual character and general well-being of society.
I come to your blog exactly because you are a realist and try your best to be thoughtful and introspective about the issues that face our society and culture. I appreciate your honesty and idiosyncratic posts...they are like a breath of fresh air in my email box!
Dr Beck, the reason I subscribe is that your perspective is different than any other Christian teacher that I know of. You are able to articulate things that I’m seeing or brooding on but haven’t found words for yet. Why aren’t there more of you?? God bless you and your loved ones.
I came to this blog when I heard you on a podcast and loved your insight about capitalism redefining what matters and who matters.... and how we are lost without an external moral guide that we believe comes from God...or for me, I would say, "something greater than ourselves that is universal." I found you, found your blog, and here I am. I am very progressive in the old fashioned way, an old-time liberal focused more on the economics injustices and greed and seeing through the lens of a therapist and what is destroying our society...from inequality, to technology, to capitalism, and ache for those in despair. I am also not the culture wars huckleberry, but hold fast to dignity and respect for all... like I said, an old time liberal.. not the angry, black and white thinking of today's movement...not that I am not angry about today's sick society. I am. I find you stimulating, welcome views other than my own, and seek insights and challenges to my own thought process... so I am in.
I've been following along for the best part of ten years, in large part precisely because of the non-polarised nature of your musings here. Long may they continue.
I've been following you fot more years than I can recall. A focused voice of sanity in a world with all kinds of folks running around with their hair on fire.
It is exactly your commitment to the way of Jesus -- and thinking radically about that -- that makes me appreciate your comments, Richard. I applaud your commitment to being self-critical. It makes me think of the song by Stealers Wheel,
"Clowns to the left of me
Jokers to the right
Here I am stuck in the middle with you."
I am not seeking the right (though I would lean that way) or left (though much more in the last six years for sure) but rather I am seeking what is true. Is the truth right or left? I don’t know. I’m not sure it has a “right or left”. You help me find and understand what is true Dr. Beck, and for that I am grateful.
And for those of us not being drawn to the left or right you are our/my cup of tea:)
I just moved my subscription from blogpost to Substack because of this post, because Substack is much easier for me to keep up with. I wanted to disable e-mail notifications, though, which means I've accidentally unsubscribed and resubscribed about 4 or 5 times in the space of ten minutes. Some completely un-ideological wobbling!
I find you to be refreshing more often than not. I've walked away from my former polarized way of thinking. You've been part of the journey. I discovered you by reading "Old Scratch." I posted some quotes on social media and got hammered by one "friend." I couldn't figure out what I referenced that was offensive. Anyway; keep being faithful and a blessing.
Dear Richard,
Having read your blog faithfully for more years than I care to remember, I can surely confirm that those 'oscillations' are what make you a living presence in the Christian community. You reveal a profound respect for your readers by forcing nobody to see the world through an exclusively 'Right' or 'Left' prism. As a reader, I consider myself blessed and lucky. The likes of you are all too rare on the web. May the light of the Lord remain with you throughout this season of Lent. And do not hesitate to keep oscillating ...
I’m a loyal follower, even when I agree or disagree with a post! You’re interesting, smart, fair, and thoughtful. What more could a reader ask for?
Build up that opponent processing