This is the second book I’ve read on gay theology, along with countless blog posts and articles. The issue of homosexuality within the Christian sphere has been so hyper-politicized that it is difficult for anyone to have a thoughtful conversation on the topic when it challenges the most conservative prevailing view that homosexuality is explicitly … [Read more…]
Advent has a lot of meaning. God sent his Son to Earth to take on physical flesh and blood because He loves this Earth. God’s love for Earth is in direct contrast to the Greek dualistic disdain of the physical world as they believe it can not be as valued as the heavenly forms. So, … [Read more…]
Two books by two men from vastly different backgrounds, though still grounded in Christian tradition, tackle the meaning of society and what it means to live side by side with one another through a collection of their essays. Sex, Economy, Freedom & Community by Wendell Berry Wendell Berry is a giant thinker and wildly counter-cultural. … [Read more…]
In preparation for the two brews I did (check out Brew Six-B), I read up on advanced brewing in my handbook: The Complete Joy of Home Brewing by Charlie Papazian. I have the 2nd edition (1991); the fourth came out this year. In it I gained a much deeper understanding of what happens during the … [Read more…]
During our travels through southern BC, I was able to drop in to the Monastery of All Saints in Dewdney. The monastery has three residents and is presided over by Most Reverend Lazar Puhalo (Vladika), a retired archbishop (his biography is quite fascinating). I have been watching his YouTube videos for 3 or 4 years now, off … [Read more…]
Ever since I was able to distinguish what anabaptists were from baptists, I have been intrigued by their story and their theology. My interactions and knowledge of anabaptists and their later affiliates have been: seeing Hutterites at the farmer’s market and out and about the movie Witness set in an Amish settlement many friends who grew … [Read more…]
The other book I’ve read by Mark Noll profoundly changed the way I perceive Christianity, and for that I am grateful. That book was called The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind. It chronicled the history of evangelicalism in the United States and Canada from its roots of Methodism, Presbyterianism, big tent revivals, denominational splits and … [Read more…]
I was interested to see what rebuttals to such accusatory statements about Christianity like Christianity is against science Christianity supports slavery Hitler was a Christian Christianity is anti-intellectual Christianity resists progress Jesus never existed Christians are overly concerned about abortions There are ten chapters each addressing one of these lies. I personally did not take any issue … [Read more…]
“I am perfect just the way I am.” I read this in a little book called Power Thoughts by Louise L. Hay. Hay is an inspirational writer specializing in little quotes to help people deal with life. I think she’s dead wrong. I think she’s filling people’s heads with total nonsense. Why? Because we aren’t … [Read more…]
Touching tweets on the loss of Maurice Sendak a couple days ago: “We’ll be roaring our terrible roars today.” -Timothy McSweeney “‘Please don’t go…. We love you so.’ RIP Maurice Sendak” -St. Martin’s Press “Maurice Sendak.. Your mom has dinner waiting .. RIP.” -leearenberg Also got this great quote from the Wild Thing himself in … [Read more…]