We live in a time of great grumbling. It was an observation I heard this week, specifically about the state of politics in the United States, but it stuck with me. The more I thought about it, the more I recognized the truth of it. And not just in American politics, but in our society […]
I was home-schooled in high school. It was a decision my parents came to after the first school shooting in Columbine, a tragedy that has been repeated with terrifying frequency in the years and decades that have passed since then. It was a decision I was fine with but one that had an unintended side-effect—it
You Are Enough Because God is Enough Read More »
In the beginning of all things, when the heavens and the earth were first made, God crouched down in the dirt and pulled together the red clay to form the first human. If you have ever worked with clay, or watched someone else work with clay, then you know that there is a quality of
Everyone knew you couldn’t trust a Samaritan. No one needed to ask why. They spoke with funny accents. Those who knew of such things said that they spelled their words with too many letters. Others said that it was with too few letters. The old women down the corner told stories, whenever the topic came
There was something unclean in their midst. It wasn’t immediately obvious to an outside observer. After all, it was a lovely little community nestled there along the water. Homes and shops lined the roads and in the town centre, children played and old men gathered to trade the news and opinions. It was the sort
It wasn’t what they thought Read More »
This is an ongoing series that pairs art from local artists with their reflections on topics of spirituality and faith. Come by St. Faith’s Anglican Church to experience the artist’s work Tuesday-Friday from 9:30 to 4pm or on Sundays. About The painting I am inspired by the beautiful flowers I am able to grow in
It was a Sunday morning on the Fourth Sunday in Easter and it was a beautiful spring day in Eastern Connecticut. I was greeting folks as they arrived at a church I served and while shaking the hand of an elderly member I suddenly heard the gentle melody of Howard Goodall’s, “The Lord is My
God’s Goodness Pursues You Read More »
Themes Bonhoeffer moves towards a beautiful vision of the disciple transformed into the Image of Christ in the final chapter of the book. To get there, he sweeps through history from the moment of God’s creation to the act of salvation in Jesus Christ. Starting at the beginning, Bonhoeffer offers a different interpretation of the
Chapter 13: The Image of Christ Read More »
Themes The theological doctrines of justification and sanctification feature prominently in this chapter as Bonhoeffer explores God’s work of the justification of the sinner and the ongoing work of sanctification that takes place within the church-community, with some side examination of lists of vices and sins. The result is some difficult-to-navigate reading. The helpful question
Chapter 12: The Saints Read More »
Themes What is the proper relationship between the church—the Body of Christ—and the world as well as those who hold authority? What should that relationship look like when those who hold power and authority use it to persecute the church or to commit injustices in the world? These are the questions that Bonhoeffer tries to
Chapter 11: The Visible Church-Community Read More »