Kyle Franklin

Kyle A. Franklin is a recent graduate of Gonzaga University, where he earned his Master's in Religious Studies. He completed his bachelor's degree in history and religion at Pacific Lutheran University in 2007 and has worked in both the ELCA Lutheran Church and the United Methodist Church.

Are our words ever pointless?

I’ll admit I occasionally look at Twitter while I am at work.  And sometimes (just sometimes), I like to click links and read articles or see the photos of the “top 10 best and worst” of (fill in the blank).  While this is clearly not the best use of my time, I never let it get in the way of what I need to get done on any given day.

Today, I happened to click on a link for the “World’s Most Pointless Protest Signs.”

If God is love, why is there suffering?

This past week, one of my friends asked me about my take on 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.”  She, like many others, has heard this passage quoted regarding everything from cursing to those dying as a result of liver cancer or complications from AIDS.

Is it OK to disagree with the church?

O'Reilly indicates that one who participates in a particular faith tradition should blindly toe the line of whatever stance that tradition takes. I imagine this is reflective of O’Reilly’s belief that politicians, too, should toe their party line.

“Taste of Faith”

From the Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, I learned the beauty of ancient traditions and felt a connection to billions of people who have participated in the same rituals for nearly 2,000 years.

“Because the Bible says so.” Really? Is that all you’ve got?

I was never one of those kids who could be appeased by the response, “Because I said so…”  It was insufficient, to say the least, and did nothing to quell the true curiosity or intent of my question — whatever that question may have been.

Integrity, truth break religious boundaries

I almost got away with it. I had the makings of a lie that would have benefitted me and hurt no one.

Agnosticism vs. Apathy

There are things I do know — Jesus was a pretty cool guy. So was Buddha. So was Muhammad.

Must read