When I was atheistic in my self-consciously held beliefs, I was dismissive of the Bible in many ways. As is the case for many non-Christian critics of Christians, I would accuse believers of never reading their Bibles; if they had read their Bibles, I would then trot out the usual panoply of complaints about theContinue reading “A Layman’s Consideration of the Binding of Isaac”
Tag Archives: Christianity
The Prodigal
Master, betrayed you not your own teachingTo keep our pearls in hand, away from swine?Perhaps you prepared for overreaching—A fault so unable to cause decline. Your gifts, us men trampled into the mud,Falling depraved into darkness profound;Not wholly cleansed even by raging flood,Begging for mere scrap, without any found. Returning home, no sacrifice to give—YouContinue reading “The Prodigal”
A Note on the ‘Individual’
Our age is, by and large, one that we might describe as individualistic. What precisely is meant by individualism is not always clear, though I believe there are some common tendencies in the way that this word is used today. This notion was perhaps best captured by J. S. Mill in his seminal On Liberty,Continue reading “A Note on the ‘Individual’”
Sunday
Without obligation planned:an early rise—we haven’t need.A swift clean, after first stand;out the door before we feed— immanent is the real food.Elevator descendedbefore a prompt turn just outthe door—road quickly ended—now a right to stay the route. City’s in its normal mood, though my steps along: diff’rent.For today, no rushing pace;need no great energy spentinContinue reading “Sunday”
A Tension of Christian Life
Much of my time is spent on a university campus. To be a Christian in such a context often devolves into debates centered around merely speculative theology and philosophy, typically forwarded as a means of defending one’s faith. Especially in the broader culture of twenty-first-century North America – of which the universities are arguably theContinue reading “A Tension of Christian Life”
Serious Play
Love creates by expressingEach blessing,AddressingAll man may feel distressing.Though such grace did he reduceTo mere use;With abuse:The eternal makes no truce.Thinking freedom to be foundWithout bound—Fate confound—Only bondage did abound.The man of utility:Never free;Strapped is heBy tall demands of Beauty.‘Hear the song writ in your heart,My own art;Now’s your part:Any time you want to start.’RememberContinue reading “Serious Play”
Mark 2:1-12
For the Second Sunday of the Great Fast Thanks to word causing a hum,Do they come. Capernaum, The place where he’s teaching from.Travelling with great hurt and zeal –All can feelEmpyrealPowers that are said to heal.Four men carrying a friend To portendHe attendTo a body needing mend. First, to be cleansed of sin – AllContinue reading “Mark 2:1-12”
The Fathers’ Source
With love, looking upon his own image – Set now, so small, within another’s face –He feels his heart grow weak, without courage;For evil, he’d no prior need to chase. But see that chaos, known only beforeThe unbegotten force decreed His will,Was made a home for every beast and boar,As He valleys set ‘tween each risingContinue reading “The Fathers’ Source”
Specific Acts, Constitutive Identities, and the Religious
When I first reembraced my Faith, I had about a two or three week period when I went to the church nearest my apartment to pray for about thirty minutes each morning in the daily services. I did this because I did not know how to pray (I still do not, really, but now IContinue reading “Specific Acts, Constitutive Identities, and the Religious”
Why Do You Pray?
For Z. H., a wonderful friend who asked me this horribly simple question After having joined me for an evening prayer service, a friend of mine – who himself is without any strong religious affiliation – had a number of questions for me that we discussed over a couple beers. This began with simple technicalContinue reading “Why Do You Pray?”
Hoping for Clarity 