“Brokenness” is a term I hear bandied about by Christians. “We need God to break us” or “We need to be broken before God” are some usual phrases. I wholeheartedly agree. That said, I don’t see a lot of actual brokenness in the church. In fact, a lot of the teaching aims to fix us….
Category: Theology
God Bless Us, Everyone!
As I’ve written elsewhere, A Christmas Carol is a favorite holiday story in our house. To many, it’s a familiar tale. Scrooge is a selfish, old miser. Financial gain is his one great love. He thinks little of the poor and even comments that they should die to “decrease the surplus population.” (Uh…WOW). Scrooge’s heart…
Ever Change from Carbon to Chlorine-Based? Me Neither…
The day after Thanksgiving, a change came over our house. A small tree decked with lights and decorations appeared in the front window. Stockings lined up on the hearth. Various nooks and crannies were surprised to find snowmen and Santas loitering in them. Carols began pouring from the family room stereo. The Christmas…
Equal Glory–Simeon the New Theologian
I know that he who is far outside the whole creation Takes me within himself and hides me in his arms, And then I find myself outside the whole world. I, a frail, small mortal in the world, Behold the Creator of the world, all of him, within myself; And I know that I shall not…
Christology Is Theology
Pantocrator Icon. This is a common depiction of Jesus among Orthodox Christians. Jesus is holding the scriptures, which shows that He watches over our doctrine. Some core Christian doctrines are represented in the icon. The three fingers on Jesus’s right hand touch to symbolize the Trinity. Two fingers above slightly overlap; the upper finger represents…
Why I Don’t Fast
I don’t fast. Many Christians extol fasting as a spiritual discipline, a catalyst of spiritual power, and an exercise in humbling oneself. I understand the reasons others choose to fast, and I respect their convictions. But I don’t fast, and I’d like to tell you why. I don’t share my thoughts to suggest other…
Unleash the Beast!
And he requires everyone…to be given a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark: the beast’s name or the number of his name. […] His number is 666 (Rev. 13:16-18). 666 has reared its ugly head in the popular imagination again. Numerous viral…
Evening THEN Morning?!?
“And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day” (Gen. 1:5). In the story of creation, have you ever wondered why each day concludes with the words, “And there was evening, and there was morning”? Wouldn’t a day be morning then evening? Have you especially wondered why this phrase occurs the first day,…
Bobblehead Devil
My wife took my son for a haircut the other day. The barber had a bobblehead devil decorating her space for Hallowe’en (pictured above). My son said, “Look! A hungry guy!” She chuckled because all my son saw was a guy with two forks. I mean, what else can you be but hungry if you have…
Linus Christianity
Hallowe’en is fast approaching so our family watched “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!” In case you haven’t seen it, here’s the story: Linus spends Hallowe’en in a pumpkin patch waiting for the Great Pumpkin (GP). The GP is a Santa Claus-ish figure that appears only in the most “sincere” pumpkin patches. He rewards children…
The Voice of One 