Luminal Studies for Liminal Times

 Keeping Christ in Christmas "Empathy is not a soft substitute for holiness; it is the pulse of the Christian, and the Christmas, story. To call it a sin is to confuse the selfishness of self with the self-giving love of Jesus." -- Jonathan Hall https://religionnews.com/2025/12/24/keep-christ-in-christmas-its-not-about-your-holiday-themed-caramel-macchiato-cup/     There has been a lot of discussion about empathy of late.  Part of my doctoral work in understanding the social religious trending in recent decades has focused on how empathy is understood and applied.    So today reading this statement by Pastor Hall from North Hollywood peaked my interest.  So my response simply would be, "to refuse to recognize that human empathy is just as corrupted in our human nature as any other aspect of our character is misguided and unbiblical".   So yes, Pastor Johnson you can say I align with the camp that says many people including some Ch...

 Below is an evaluation of a you.gov poll regarding religious favorability in the United States.   The polling data can be found here:  https://d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/poll_Favorability_of_Religions_20221122.pdf     This dataset offers an interesting snapshot of American public opinion toward religious groups as of late 2022. Let’s evaluate it by looking at patterns, general trends, and notable findings in favorability, neutrality, and unfavorability. 🔹 1. General Observations High neutrality: Across nearly all religions, the largest single category is “Neither favorable nor unfavorable,” generally in the 35–45% range. → This indicates limited familiarity or indifference toward most groups, even major denominations. High “Not sure” rates: Smaller or less-known groups (e.g., Bahá’í, Falun Gong, Sikhs) show 25–40% “Not sure” responses, suggesting low public awareness. Polarization: A few groups (e.g., Atheism, Islam, Mormonism...

  In recent years, the landscape of church attendance and religious engagement in America has been shifting in significant ways. A comprehensive multiyear study by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research, surveying over 24,000 churchgoers from more than 80 denominations, reveals fascinating trends about how people experience and participate in congregational life today. What the Research Tells Us Report on recent study   One of the most striking findings is that nearly half of those surveyed actively engage with more than one church. These “multi-church” attenders report remaining deeply connected to their “home” congregation while seeking additional spiritual nourishment elsewhere.  On another note, the study also shows encouraging signs of spiritual resilience and growth, especially following the pandemic. Many respondents report a strengthening of faith, increased financial giving, and more volunteering. Participation beyond worship, —such as reli...

Title: Embracing the Sacred Journey: Exploring Liminal Times from a Christian Perspective In the tapestry of life, there are moments when we find ourselves in-between, suspended between what was and what is yet to come. These are the liminal times, the thresholds where transitions occur, and transformation awaits. From a Christian perspective, these liminal moments hold profound significance, offering opportunities for growth, reflection, and deepening of faith. In the Christian tradition, the concept of liminality resonates deeply with the narrative of salvation history. From the Israelites' journey through the wilderness to Jesus' time of testing in the desert, the Bible is replete with stories of liminal experiences. These times of transition often serve as periods of preparation, purification, and revelation. Liminal times can manifest in various forms in our lives. They may come in the form of personal transitions such as career changes, relationship shifts, or periods of ...