Patrick Nouwen

You can think of me as the tension between the iconoclast & the bridge builder. #Faith #Doubt #Deconstruction #GriefWork #HolisticMasculinity #Fatherhood

[Patrick Nouwen @patricknouwen]

Deconstruction is simply a commitment to honesty— no matter how painful, frightening, unpredictable or uncontrollable the process may be.

It’s a truly transformative journey.

It teaches us if honesty is the enemy, then what we call “God” will always be a lie.

[Patrick Nouwen @patricknouwen]

@Hebro_Steele @mcuban South African apartheid doesn’t have anything to do with Elon’s viewpoint?

[Patrick Nouwen @patricknouwen]

@Hebro_Steele What equate diversity with inferiority? That’s quite a leap that has to come from something other than diversity and inclusion initiatives.

[Patrick Nouwen @patricknouwen]

@xTheGoodNews The endless pompous posturing of Christian morality—always placed in terms of “should”s is my least favorite thing about modern Christianity.

It’s always straining—so much effort into filtering out the gnat while leaving the fly.

[Patrick Nouwen @patricknouwen]

@i_am_a_pfhb The endless pompous posturing of Christian morality— always placed in terms of “should”s is my least favorite thing about modern Christianity.

[Patrick Nouwen @patricknouwen]

@haymes_joshua Hate God and the Bible? That’s what you got from that clip?

I never seen so much projector in a single tweet before.

[Patrick Nouwen @patricknouwen]

@haymes_joshua 🚩

When people try to speak authoritatively *for* Jesus on which side of the aisle is the “right” side in modern America’s political polarization is a key tell they’re making Jesus into their own image.

[Patrick Nouwen @patricknouwen]

@natgrace79 It’s important to remember someone telling you something like that isn’t speaking for an entire group of people.

This includes liberals and leftists who say awful things to you.

[Patrick Nouwen @patricknouwen]

@srguenther321 @TheGoodLife70 @kevinmyoung @RyanKHere

[Patrick Nouwen @patricknouwen]

@QtrMOA @stephenmatlock @kevinmyoung @Dyoung1208 The agenda that people are human beings worthy of dignity & respect regardless of whether or not you agree w/ them or not? If that seems unfair, perhaps it’s time to reconsider the assumed virtues of your own faith.

Real faithfulness doesn’t provoke being called out for bigotry.

[Patrick Nouwen @patricknouwen]

@Hebro_Steele Diversity equity & inclusion is celebrating the killing as Jews in the name of freedom? Where are you getting your information?

[Patrick Nouwen @patricknouwen]

@rosanne_coury @kevinmyoung Human limits which includes our doctrines and interpretations of those doctrines, right?

[Patrick Nouwen @patricknouwen]

@jro7010 @buttonslives Mandated? Aren’t all corporate policies are mandated by that view point?

DEI is a tool that can be used for good (or used poorly like any tool). Calling the tool the problem isn’t interested in being honest about the context of reality.

[Patrick Nouwen @patricknouwen]

@jro7010 @buttonslives Data that shows when women (who are minorities in corporate leadership & part of DEI initiatives) are in leadership, it results in better outcomes for everyone.

Inclusion matters. It doesn’t negate merit. They aren’t mutually exclusive. Thinking they are is part of the problem.

[Patrick Nouwen @patricknouwen]

@jro7010 @buttonslives Willing people to be considerate of one another is indoctrination? Really?

Character matters. Context matters too. The ideal is not the reality we live in. Acknowledging reality as it is & not merely what wishful thinking imagines it to be is essential for real understanding.

[Patrick Nouwen @patricknouwen]

@petercrary @tallman_guitar @kevinmyoung Historically the word inerrant means “no error for matters of salvation.”

It has evolved to include “no error within the text” and the Word of God is no longer Jesus, but the Bible, and everything in it is an authority on science and history. Cultural relativism created that.

[Patrick Nouwen @patricknouwen]

@petercrary @kevinmyoung I think the point you’re missing is how you *interpret* that phrase is as subjective as anything. Using a subjective idea like inerrancy to render the meaning of Scripture relative to American Christianity’s current cultural context, trades certainty for transformative faith.

[Patrick Nouwen @patricknouwen]

@jro7010 @buttonslives Except the data shows, bridging contexts works with proper education & willing people.

Are you saying race is better divorced from people––it doesn't impact their lives, provide any context, & should be ignored completely if we really want a genuine understanding of one another?

[Patrick Nouwen @patricknouwen]

@jro7010 @buttonslives You're right, I don't know you. You seem very respectful, & I like engaging w/ you. All I know is the messaging I hear from you doesn't sound anything like the messaging I've seen from DEI but does sound like extreme right-wing, fear-based attacks. Can you help me reconcile that?

[Patrick Nouwen @patricknouwen]

@GhostRi36311811 @FredRichardz @Hebro_Steele If you have a way for me to DM you, I can send you links. I don't want to publicly share things too specifically about my location (I've had threatening stalkers).

[Patrick Nouwen @patricknouwen]

@jro7010 @buttonslives This is how DEI works throughout our city (I’ve helped research this stuff w/ my wife)— it’s educational & collaborative.

The goal is connection—genuine, honest, & robust connection—not bummer sticker platitudes & alienation.

Attacking programs that encourage this is misguided.

[Patrick Nouwen @patricknouwen]

@jro7010 @buttonslives I’m suggesting your perspective might be better less influenced by polarizing politics, and thus able to experience human beings learning & growing to be more considerate of people who are different from one another and finding creative ways to include each other more.