HomeAuthorsPosts by Paul Graves

Paul Graves

In March 2026, Paul will have completed 30 years as a faith/values writer, and he has plans to keep writing! After almost 37 years in Sandpoint, ID, Paul and his wife moved to Hillsboro, OR in March 2025, to be close to their son and family. They live in a retirement community, where Paul’s professional back as a retired United Methodist pastor and also a retired geriatric social worker, have been welcomed and are grist for the writing-mill on matters of spirituality, politics and aging.
Commentary

Is violence a Christian value? No!

Jesus never condoned violence for his disciples or other followers. Why would any current-day followers of Jesus even consider that Jesus’ ethic of love be associated with violence in action and/or word?
Commentary

When Truth Speaks, Can Power Listen?

American democracy is being seriously challenged. Speaking truth to power is more critical than ever. 
Commentary

A Pastor Looks at Christian Nationalism

Perhaps this is part of my distress, even disgust, with the aggressive, often violent, presence of white Christian Nationalism in our culture today. I see nothing loving about this dangerous blending of patriotism and so-called Christianity.
Commentary

The Concept of Godly Punishment Never Made Sense to Me, and Now I See Why

God lands on the side of love. Maybe it’s us who are confused about why the Christian tradition has settled for controlling its followers with the threat of punishment both here and in eternity.
Commentary

Friendship: Beyond Transaction, to Transformation

Being a friend, having a friend, has always been so important to me
Commentary

Stacking up Stone Hearts

Rock-throwing is an international symbol of frustration and situational impotence.
Commentary

Speak to the Darkness

So, I say this to religious leaders specifically, and anyone else who cares to listen: Come with me into the darkness, and let’s learn to speak to the darkness in new ways.        
1...789...13Page 8 of 13

Must read