A few weeks after Easter we find ourselves in conversion story territory. The first few chapters of the book of Acts tell us how the band of disciples, the chosen few, quickly became a movement after the death and resurrection of their radical leader, Jesus of Nazareth. Belief in Jesus as the Messiah was spreading … Continue reading »
This is just a short Easter reflection … I actually kind of wish it were a real sermon, as it is pretty difficult to compact Easter in 650 words. It results in a lot of oversimplification and cutting corners, theologically. But I thought I would share it anyway. There could be a sermon in there, … Continue reading »
Shelly Rambo, Spirit and Trauma: A Theology of Remaining (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2010). xiv+ 176 pp., Paper, $25.00, ISBN 978-0-664-23503-1. This has been on my “to read” shelf since its appearance in 2010. I was actually in Professor Shelly Rambo’s graduate seminar on Theology & Trauma at Boston U. She was a wonderful … Continue reading »
Gwendolyn Brooks was one of America’s foremost and most prolific black poets of the 20th century, and was the first black author to win a Pulitzer. There’s a long essay about her life and work on poetryfoundation.org. Read literally, this is an appropriate poem for our dreary sunless days. Read allegorically as the dawning of … Continue reading »
Reblogged from : Last week, I was in Rüdlingen for a very fruitful gathering of the Network of Reformed Theologians associated with the work of the World Communion of Reformed Churches. (I chair the working group on Church and Society). One of the real gifts of being part of such a network, and of our … Continue reading »
I’ve just stumbled across some wonderful poetry by the late Carmelite nun Jessica Powers, aka Sister Miriam of the Holy Spirit. What a gem of a little old lady. These are great poems. Here are two poems about the contemplative life – from here and here, respectively. A volume of her poetry is available via … Continue reading »
The Englewood Review of Books: In their own words, “The Englewood Review of Books is a weekly book review published by Englewood Christian Church, Indianapolis. We review books that we believe are valuable resources for the people of God, as we follow the mission of God: i.e., the reconciliation of all things. … Our friend, … Continue reading »
Oh woe to us in Munich: it is March, and snowy, cold, dreary, and grey, grey, grey. For all who are feeling a little bit grey of soul: a ray of light via GMH, who reminds us that “there lives the dearest freshness deep down things.” And if GMH could hold on to his faith … Continue reading »
I have long loved this poem by Dorothee Sölle, one of the earliest and greatest German liberation/feminist theologians; this comes from her collection of poetry, fliegen lernen. It is a very appropriate poem for Lent. I couldn’t find a translation anywhere, so I made one of my own, which focuses on clarity and makes no … Continue reading »
… it’s sweeping the nation! In the past seven days since Ash Wednesday, I’ve been struck by the explosion of lent fever on blogs and Facebook posts the world over, both private and public (like the CC and Huff Post). (I’ve also been hanging onto the edge of my seat and hoping my favorite saints … Continue reading »
