The Pilgrims Correspondence

Christian Greetings Beloved, I write to you with a heart that feels the weight of this moment. The recent election has left many of us feeling shaken, uncertain, and, for some, deeply saddened. The news that former President Trump has won this election is challenging for many who fear the divisions his leadership has sown and the potential for further unrest. Yet, as followers of Christ, we are called to a higher vision—a vision of peace, love, and understanding that transcends political affiliation. In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). These words are both a comfort and a challenge. They remind us that our identity as Christians is rooted not in political allegiance but in our commitment to embodying God’s love. Peacemaking is not passive; it is an active commitment to bridge divides, to understand those who differ from us, and to speak and act with humility and compassion. It would be easy to let t...

     Christian Greetings Beloved,      The phrase, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," from Proverbs 9:10, attributed to King Solomon, is well-known. However, examining the original Hebrew reveals nuances lost in many English translations. The phrase reads, “Tov sek-hel Hashem yirat reisheit chokh-ma,” where the term yirat (יראה) suggests meanings closer to reverence or honor than to fear. A more accurate translation would therefore be, "Reverence of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." This nuanced interpretation invites us to consider a deeper connection between wisdom and divinity. Wisdom is intrinsically tied to the nature of God and that a life devoted to wisdom offers profound benefits, even as wisdom and honor frequently intertwine.      Consider, for example, the intellectual who predicts rain from the clouds versus the wise person who, seeing the clouds, prepares appropriately. Wisdom, then, is more than deduction; it...

Christian Greetings Beloved, The Cloud of Unknowing is a profound 14th-century mystical text that guides the reader into a relationship with God that transcends the intellect. The anonymous author suggests that in order to draw close to God, one must move beyond the grasp of the mind. This cloud, which both conceals and reveals, invites the soul into a kind of "unknowing" that feels paradoxical at first but is transformative. For the author, true knowledge of God isn’t found in theological certainties or intellectual clarity but in a place where our hearts are laid bare before Him, open and willing to be transformed. This journey into the "cloud" reflects the Christian doctrine of theosis, or divinization, which is the process of becoming more like God in holiness, love, and character. Theosis is the calling to participate in the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4), not by understanding God fully but by entering into a relationship of deep intimacy with Him. Through the mys...

Christian Greetings Beloved,      A radical Christian isn’t simply defined by going door-to-door with Bibles or standing in protest against unbiblical laws; these actions may be outward expressions of faith, but they don’t capture the heart of what it means to follow Christ radically. Radical Christianity, at its core, is about embodying a love that crosses every boundary society builds. It’s a love that mirrors the radical inclusivity of Christ, reaching beyond lines of difference, forgiving without condition, serving without recognition, and showing a relentless commitment to justice, compassion, and transformation. The Social Gospel movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries captured this spirit of radical Christianity. Led by figures like Walter Rauschenbusch, Washington Gladden, and Jane Addams, the Social Gospel emphasized that Christian faith should not only concern personal morality but also address social systems and structures that perpetuate poverty, op...

       Christian Greetings Beloved,      Love is indeed a cornerstone of the Christian faith, an essential commandment and call that permeates every aspect of a believer's life. Christians are called to love unconditionally—whether by loving God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, by loving their neighbors, or even by loving their enemies. Love is the defining mark of a true Christian. As 1 John 4:8 states, “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” This verse reveals that to know God is to embody love, for love is not just something God possesses; it is, at the very core, who He is. If God truly resides within us, then love naturally flows from us, for it is through love that His presence is made known. In the absence of love, it would be impossible to truly know or reflect God. Love and hate cannot coexist within the same heart, just as darkness cannot coexist with light. As Christians, therefore, we are called to ...

Christian Greetings Beloved,   In the passage from the Gospel of  John 18:10-11 , we witness a scene of high tension and human impulse: Peter, overcome with zeal, draws his sword and strikes. Yet Jesus, calm and resolute, responds not with violence but with a gentle rebuke, reminding Peter—and us—that His way is different. Consider, for a moment, what Peter must have felt. He had walked with Christ, witnessed His miracles, and heard His teachings. But when the hour of trial came, his instinct was not to follow the gentle path of his Master but to resort to force. How often do we, in our own moments of fear or uncertainty, reach for a “sword”—be it our words, our actions, or even our thoughts—striking out to protect or defend what we hold dear?      Jesus’ response is key to understanding His mission and, indeed, the call of the non-resistance tradition. He tells Peter to sheath the sword, not because the danger has passed, but because violence cannot fulfil...