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Peter Goerzen

@pgoerzen.bsky.social
158 followers 142 following 66 posts

Anabaptist/Mennonite Bible and Religion professor at Bethel College (KS). Former rural pastor and married to one. Very-former software dev and Linux sysadmin.

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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
This flag and pledge come from a couple of decades ago when the U.S. was starting other wars in the Middle East. May we join the God "who crushes war" (Exod 15:3 LXX), who "breaks the bow and shatters the spear" (Ps 46:9) by overcoming evil not with more evil and violence, but with good (Rom 12:21).
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
Jerrell Williams is spot-on, as always, in his most recent article. Jerrell's biblical and theological framing of his writing is a gift to the church. anabaptistworld.org/violent-word...
anabaptistworld.org
Violent words, violent acts | Anabaptist World
I grew up in the Southern Baptist church. My conversion to the Mennonite church began at Bethel College, where I was introduced to the Mennonite tradition. I grew to appreciate Mennonite theology and ...
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
Looking forward to hosting Miroslav Volf this Saturday, October 4, at 10am, at Bethel College Mennonite Church! www.bethelks.edu/yale-theolog...
bethelks.edu
Yale theologian to speak on the flip side of excellence
An internationally renowned theologian will lecture at Bethel during Fall Fest, thanks to the efforts of one alumnus. Miroslav Volf, a Croatian Protestant and professor of theology at Yale University,...
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Reposted by Peter Goerzen
Trey Ferguson @pastortrey05.com · 18/04/2025
If this is not the most evil, unhinged administration of all time… they certainly want us to believe that they are the most evil, unhinged administration of all time.
A screenshot of the official Twitter account of the White House marking up a New York Times headline that original read “Senator Meets with Wrongly Deported Maryland in El Salvador” to read “Senator Meets with Deported MS-13 Illegal Alien in El Salvador Who’s Never Coming Back”
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
If you're looking for something to read ... media.defense.gov/2025/Apr/04/...
media.defense.gov
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
@ambsseminary.bsky.social Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary co-sponsored this conference at Notre Dame, and professors Drew Strait and Janna Hunter-Bowman participated. An important read!
publicwitness.wordandway.org
Notre Dame Conference Addresses ‘Pressing Crisis’ of Christian Nationalism
As a couple hundred scholars and ministers gathered on the University of Notre Dame campus last week to discuss Christian Nationalism, several people questioned if, in light of recent events, such a c...
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
I really appreciate Michael Danner's leadership for MC USA as well. Here, he provides some additional biblical-theological reflection on some common questions about MC USA's lawsuit against the federal government.
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
Thanks, Mennonite Action: actionnetwork.org/letters/menn...
actionnetwork.org
Mennonites urge Congress to demand the release of Mahmoud Khalil
On Saturday, March 8, Department of Homeland Security agents detained Mahmoud Khalil,  U.S. permanent resident and student organizer for Palestinian rights. Khalil was the lead negotiator during ...
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
What an excellent and timely piece of Anabaptist political theology! We send the same note to our children's teachers each year as well. Thank you, @melissaf-b.bsky.social !
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
Excellent article, and good for EMU! Looking forward to hosting Shannon Dycus at Bethel College on Monday!
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
"Is it true ... that you do not worship the golden statue I have set up?" (Daniel 3:14 - Nebuchadnezzar to Daniel's friends). Sometimes you have to look carefully to see national idolatry. And then, ...
Image of golden statue of Donald Trump posted to his social media.
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
Important thoughts from the president of the Council of Independent Colleges, in light of the U.S. Department of Education's recent "Dear Colleague" letter.
insidehighered.com
An opportunity to reframe the DEI debate (opinion)
A Dear Colleague letter seeking to prohibit race-conscious DEI initiatives should push campus leaders to rethink their core programs, Marjorie Hass writes.
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 17/02/2025
Kyrie, eleison! www.ed.gov/media/docume...
ed.gov
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
Lots of Anabaptist milestone anniversaries have been happening over the past months -- how wonderful for 70 years of the Fellowship of Mennonite Churches in Taiwan!
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
It seems that the comment, "our practice of loving our neighbor outweighs our traditional stance on non-resistance," has raised some eyebrows. I appreciated that Iris de León-Hartshorn said this, which I hope also calls us to reconsider some of our language: (1/10)
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
Grateful that Mennonite Church USA has joined this action. If the White House is truly concerned about anti-Christian bias and violence, it will restore the policy against entering houses of worship to conduct ICE raids. @mennonitesusa.bsky.social www.mennoniteusa.org/news/mc-usa-...
mennoniteusa.org
MC USA joins more than two dozen Christian and Jewish denominations and associations sue to protect religious freedoms | Mennonite Church USA
Reversal of the Department of Homeland Security’s “Sensitive Locations” Policy Interferes with Central Religious Beliefs, Violates both the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act WA...
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
It's as important as ever to observe Black History Month. Here are some great reads from Herald Press. #BlackLivesMatter www.mennomedia.org/deal-of-the-...
mennomedia.org
- Menno Media
Honor Black History Month with Powerful Insights from Black Authors 40% off one | 50% off two | 60% off three or more Use code WEEKLY at checkout. Offer
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
"But a Samaritan who was traveling came upon him, and the priest and Levite promptly shipped him off to Guantanamo because he was from a "$#!thole" country. The wounded man died, but the loser obviously had it coming. Anyway, love your family first." (Luke 10:33, #ChristianNationalist version).
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
"... But a man whose ethnicity should in no way impact how you understand this story came upon him, and when he saw him, he was moved with compassion" (Luke 10:33, #Colorblind version).
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
"The Israelites groaned under their slavery and cried out. Their cry for help rose up to God, but God couldn't see that they were groaning and enslaved. God couldn't tell them apart from anyone else, so God played fetch with Leviathan. Pharaoh prospered. The end." (Exod 2:23-25, #Colorblind version)
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to ignore the poor. He has sent me to proclaim meritocracy to the captives and colorblindness for all people, to blame the oppressed for their own suffering and various other tragedies too. (Luke 4:18, #Colorblind version)
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
"Blessed are you who are poor (or rich!), for yours is the kingdom of God. I don't know, I don't actually see wealth" (Luke 6:20, #Colorblind version).
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 08/02/2025
3100 years ago: A widowed immigrant is able to provide food for herself and her widowed mother-in-law through a #DEI program (Deut 24:17-22; Ruth 2). Present Day: A tyrant "defends" Christianity, terrorizing immigrant communities, while foreign aid evaporates and DEI is blamed for everything.
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 05/02/2025
My friend Mark McCormick gets it right on, as usual: kansasreflector.com/2025/02/05/f...
kansasreflector.com
Folks upset about diversity efforts in Kansas and U.S. don’t understand our collective history • Kansas Reflector
Misunderstanding feeds misperceptions of diversity efforts designed to address the ongoing hurt born from our racial caste system.
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 03/02/2025
#Colorblind is back in the news lately in an attempt to undermine #DEI with #Meritocracy. But part of the privilege white people hold is the ability to choose whether or not to be aware of racial identity. Then it's easy to normalize that experience as the standard for everyone. 1/3
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
What a holy experience to preach at Lorraine Avenue #Mennonite Church on #Anabaptist World Fellowship Sunday, the day before MLK Day (and other events of significance). A wonderful congregation in Wichita, KS. www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGlH...
youtube.com
Sunday Service, January 19th, 2025
YouTube video by Lorraine Avenue Mennonite Church
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 02/01/2025
Haha, Google's AI has some more learning to do. You would think that of all things, AI would at least be good at math!
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Reposted by Peter Goerzen
Anabaptist World @anabaptistworld.bsky.social · 20/12/2024
In Ukraine, Congo, Myanmar, living the gospel of peace requires sacrifice and risk
anabaptistworld.org
Churches grow in crucible of war | Anabaptist World
Throughout Anabaptist history, adversity has deepened commitment to the peace of Christ. Where Anabaptists find themselves in close proximity to violence, their faith and their churches are tested and...
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
Yes! I am so grateful for WDC's leadership.
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
"The foreigner who immigrates among you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the foreigner as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God." ~ Lev 19:14
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
Yup, started playing that back in '17. Mennonite mutual aid at its noblest.
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
The #NRSVue is the emerging standard academic translation of the Bible. In general, it seems to back off further from the formal equivalence end of the spectrum, which is one of my gripes. Stay tuned for more.
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 16/12/2024
“… And he made … a metal image, and they said, ‘These are your gods’” (Exod 32:4). 12-16-2024 “… and they said, ‘These are your gods,’” yet again. "Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood" (Isa 1:15). Κύριε, ἐλέησον!
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 16/12/2024
Controversial #liturgical thought: It's okay to sing Christmas hymns during Advent (without skipping the Advent songs!). Christian eschatology is essentially proleptic anyway.
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
A little Zwiebach treat for students taking their Intro to Biblical Studies final. We learn the Lord's Prayer in Greek, so this gives just one more tasty reminder! #MennoniteHigherEd
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 07/12/2024
It should follow the MCC Meat Canner!
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 06/12/2024
On the 12th day of Xmas the Mennos gave to me: 12 faith confessions 11 "yielded" martyrs 10 Münster stigmas 9 Christocentrists 8 mass migrations 7 little poor flocks 6 disputations 5 prison songs 4 Christ followers 3 church splits 2 pacifists and a prelapsarian controversy #Mennonite #Anabaptist
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
The best review of #Bonhoeffer I've seen. But most miss the error in the moral calculus of "kill A.H. or let him kill millions." Not the only options. Bonhoeffer knew that. And the plot failed, and just emboldened A.H. et al -- should be in the calculus too. www.christianitytoday.com/2024/11/bonh...
christianitytoday.com
‘Bonhoeffer’ Bears Little Resemblance to Reality - Christianity Today
The new biopic from Angel Studios twists the theologian's life and thought to make a political point.
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 04/12/2024
Still looking for the perfect Christmas gift? Consider giving art! Some of my favorites come from the icons created by Kelly Latimore and James C. Lewis: kellylatimoreicons.com/collections/... fineartamerica.com/profiles/2-c...
kellylatimoreicons.com
Signed Prints
Artist and Iconographer. Modern Iconography. Taking the Tradition of Iconography and carrying it into the present.
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
Fun fact: Ewert's older brother wrote to another paper, the Gemeindeblatt der Mennoniten of the S. German Menno Federation, which was hoping for sales in Russia. In it, he complained that the paper "makes a mockery of the name Mennonite" among other zingers: mla.bethelks.edu/gmsources/ne...
mla.bethelks.edu
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
#Mennonites have been grappling with #ChristianNationalism for centuries now. For one example from 150 years ago, see: ml.bethelks.edu/2024/07/08/e... ml.bethelks.edu/2024/07/08/w...
ml.bethelks.edu
Elder Wilhelm Ewert of Obernessau and His Defense of Nonresistant Faith - Mennonite Life
One hundred fifty years ago this year Elder Wilhelm Ewert and his family migrated from Obernessau in Prussia, today Mała Nieszawka, in Poland, to Marion County, Kan. He was a prominent leader […]
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Peter Goerzen @pgoerzen.bsky.social · 30/11/2024
My draft outline of an anti-Christian-Nationalist curriculum on the Bible for states pondering the Bible in public education (for 9 weeks or 1 semester): #Anabaptist #Mennonite
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