The one thousand sermons of this archive are a record of the thoughtful steps in Richard Rhem's journey as it deepened in the 1980s and then continued to evolve from a conservative beginning until it led him to his ultimate understanding: an open mind and a warm heart must be grounded in the Way of Love, and must affirm the quest and insight of all faiths. On that foundation can be built a community that practices religion not as dogma but as dialogue, mutual enrichment and understanding.
"Dick Rhem is the best teacher-preacher I have ever heard in my life." Marcus Borg
Your Elephant is Showing...
Sunday Potluck Picnic
Pottawattomie Park
July 23, 2008
Exclusivism, pluralism, Brain Science,
Arc of Justice
Abraham: One God, Three Names
Pentecost XXVI
Genesis 12:1-3; 21:8-21; Romans 9:1-8; 11:25-36
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
November 17, 2002
Religious Pluralism, Abrahamic Faiths
The Holy Family - God's Elect?
Pentecost XXVII
Genesis 27:1-4, 30-45; Romans 9:1-18
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
November 24, 2002
Abrahamic Faiths, Non-exclusive,
Universal Grace, Pluralism, Interfaith
The Religious Question
Pentecost X
Micah 6:6-8; Luke 10:25-37
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
August 05, 2001
Nature of Religionm Spiritual Quest,
Pluralism
This Is the Time and This Is the Place
Pentecost XVIII
Matthew 5:13-16, 43-48
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
October 07, 2001
Pentecost, Nature of Religion,
Exclusivism, Pluralism
A Child
Advent IV
Hebrews 1:1-4; Luke 2:1-7
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
December 23, 2001
Advent, Divine Intention, Incarnation,
Pluralism
Light of the World
Epiphany Sunday
Isaiah 49:6; Matthew 2:9
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
January 09, 2000
Global Peace, Pluralism, Epiphany
The Clash of Civilizations and the Healing of the Nations
Epiphany III
Genesis 2:9; Revelation 22:2
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
January 23, 2000
Global Peace, Pluralism
Religion Made On Earth
Pentecost VII
Isaiah 44:18; Acts 17:27-28
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
July 23, 2000
Religion as a Human Construct,Pluralism,
Compassion
An Emerging Vision: What Matters?
Pentecost XVIII
Psalm 78:6-7; Jeremiah 29:11; James 4:14
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
October 08, 2000
Theology of Grace, Inclusive, Pluralism
Awareness and Gratitude
Pentecost XXVII
Psalm 100:3; Psalm 65:11; Psalm 8:4
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
November 21, 1999
Awareness, Gratitude, Intentional,
Pluralism
January 01, 1998
Theology, Pluralism, Truth, Meaning, Sacred,
Religious Tradition, Nature of God, Nature of
Religion, Ecumenical, Karl Barth, Dietrich
Bonhoeffer, Mircea Eliade, David Tracy
Dare to Follow the Light
Epiphany I
Isaiah 60:6-7; Ephesians 3:9; Matthew 2:2
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
January 05, 1997
Epiphany, Universal Grace, Light of God,
Pluralism
Beyond Reason: Discovery in Worship and Mission
Epiphany III
Isaiah 49:6b; John 1:9
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
January 19, 1997
Community of Grace, Pluralism, Inclusive,
Epiphany
That's the Answer; What's the Question?
Eastertide III
Acts 3:12, 16; Acts 4:12
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
April 13, 1997
Inclusive Grace, Pluralism, Compassion
Is Christianity Dying?
Pentecost XII
Habakkuk 1:1-5; 3:17-19; Luke 3:1-9; 19:37-38
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
August 10, 1997
Nature of Religion, Religion as a Human
Construct, Pluralism, Mystery
January 01, 1996
Theology, Interfaith, Pluralism, Non-exclusive,
Love,
The Church in Conflict - Can Non-Believers Be
Saved?
Prepared text of Address to
Synod of Mid-Atlantic, RCA
Reformed Church Synod of Mid-Atlantics,
Ramapo, New Jersey
October 03, 1996
Inclusive Grace, Nature of God, Pluralism
Global Community
Regarding the Conflict About Christian Exclusivity
Transcript of the spoken
Address to Synod of Mid-Atlantic, RCA
Reformed Church Synod of Mid-Atlantics,
Ramapo, New Jersey
October 04, 1996
Inclusive Grace, Nature of God, Pluralism,
Universal Grace, Scripture, Authority
On Being Civil and Committed: Reclaiming a Great Tradition
Address to Fall UCC Conference
St. John's United Church of Christ, Grand Rapids, MI
October 06, 1996
Universal Grace, Religious Pluralism
May 01, 1995
Global Community, Pluralism, Interfaith,
Historical Jesus, Metaphor, Grace, Mystery,
Incarnation
The Secret's Out
Epiphany I
Isaiah 49:6; Ephesians 3:6
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
January 09, 1994
Epiphany, Revelation, Transformation,
Light, Inclusive, Pluralism, Grace
Why No Ishmael? - Election: Exclusive or Inclusive?
Pentecost XIX
Genesis 9:8-11
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
October 02, 1994
History of Israel, Pluralism, Inclusive,
Covenant
The Test of Trust
Reformation Sunday;
Pentecost XXII
Exodus 1:8; 3:2, 6-7, 14
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
October 23, 1994
Hebrew Scriptures, History of Israel,
Reformation, Pluralism, Reconciliation
Can I Be Included?
Pentecost III
Deuteronomy 23:1; Isaiah 56:7; Acts 8:37
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
June 20, 1993
Pentecost III, Inclusive, Spirit of God,
Pluralism
Something's Happening
Pentecost VII
Esther 4:14; Mark 9:40
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
July 18, 1993
Community of Faith, Global Community,
Pluralism, Inclusiveness
February 01, 1990
Pluralism, Inclusive, Reimagining the Faith
September 01, 1987
Postmodern, Pluralism, Religion, Mystery,
Love at Core of Reality
March 01, 1986
Preaching, Theology, History of Christian Tradition, Pluralism, Ecumenical, Historical Thinking
Christ Community: A People Who Belong
Pentecost IV
I Corinthians 3:21-23
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
June 15, 1986
Reformed Church, Community of Faith,
Ecumenical, Pluralism, Diversity
The Church: From Tradition to Mission
Pentecost V
Acts 6: 5, 8
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
June 30, 1985
Community of Faith, Followers of Jesus, Grace, Pluralism, Non-exclusive, Nature of Theology, Stephen, Creeds, Traditionalsim, Mission