Dinner Protocol in Antiquity and the Parable of the Rude Guests
Most regular readers of the Gospels are familiar with the Parable about the Messianic Banquet in Luke 14, which goes as follows— 15 When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” 16 Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to… Read more
Nomenclator Initium
It is no secret I enjoy novels about ancient Rome set in or around the NT period. I’ve read all of the novels of Stephen Saylor, Colleen McCullough, and Lindsey Davis and now have found a new writer, Bill O’Malley who has recently published (apparently self-published) his first novel that involves two of my favorite ancient figures— Julius Caesar and Lucius Seneca. Since these two men lived in very different eras of Roman history, the bridge between them is made… Read more
Crystal Blue Persuasion about ‘God so Loved the World’
A Faith Statement
Faith is different. Faith is not trying to change the world. Faith is not trying to change God. Faith isn’t trying to change the order of things. Faith isn’t trying to maintain your position. Faith isn’t trying to make less of the other. Faith is asking God to change you. You are the subject of God’s love, and in accepting that, you can transform yourself and release yourself of these appetites that are almost always at someone else’s expense. —… Read more
The Right Path Forward for the UMC
A Case for Separate Paths By Kent Millard and David F. Watson The Revs. David F. Watson and Kent Millard work side by side at United Theological Seminary in Dayton,Ohio. Photo courtesy of United Theological Seminary. As the 2019 General Conference limped toward its conclusion, those in attendance were reminded that we could not stay beyond our allotted time in the convention center. The next major event would be a monster truck rally. The monster truck rally prep crew needed… Read more
Ennui— A Poem
ENNUI There is a death before death Before the dying of the light, When the mind refuses to think The heart refuses to hope The will refuses to act, And all the creative juices refuse to flow. More a dearth than a death More an emptiness than a void More an absence of the Presence Than a presence of the absence More a quiet that is disquieting To an ever-restless soul What can one say, When words fail? What can… Read more
Wendell Berry on Prayer
Wendell Berry is Kentucky’s poet laureate, a resident of Henry County, and he is now approaching 85. He’s a remarkable person, described on Wiki as—-“an American novelist, poet, essayist, environmental activist, cultural critic, and farmer.” Here is one of his more recent poignant poems from the collection called Sabbath 2016. The old man in his latter days prays his thanks, prays his love of the world to the world’s end, for out of the perils of his faith. of human… Read more
