Francis of Assisi

Last updated on: May 16, 2016 at 8:51 pm By Ben Witherington

Here’s a fine post by my friend Timothy George. There lived in the town of Assisi a man whose name was Francis. . . . In him we can contemplate the excess of God’s mercy: he brought the good news of peace and salvation to all, like a true Angel of peace.” Thus Bonaventura, the official biographer of St. Francis, introduced his readers to one of the most popular and attractive figures in medieval Christianity. In his own lifetime, though,... Read more

Cartoon of the Day

Last updated on: May 14, 2016 at 9:41 am By Ben Witherington

Thanks to the Faithlife/Logos folks for the use of this cartoon. BW3 Read more

On Growing Old Gracefully— Sort of

Last updated on: May 14, 2016 at 9:16 am By Ben Witherington

It was the Who who said ‘Hope I die before I get old’. Abandon hope Roger and Pete— ya’ll are certifiably old. Any band that celebrates 50 years of touring, or even 40, involves oldsters. And then there was Dylan Thomas who advised ‘do not go gentle into that good night, rage, rage against the dying of the light’. Neither of these approaches have much to do with growing old gracefully. Some folks take the ‘carpe diem’ approach– ‘gather ye... Read more

Famous Last Words

Last updated on: May 11, 2016 at 3:51 pm By Ben Witherington

Today is the day Ann and I were married in S. Hamilton, Mass. in 1977. It seems like an opportune moment to reflect on some ‘famous last words’ none better than those of Jesus— ‘Father into thy hands I commend my spirit’. See in what peace a Christian can die. ~~ Joseph Addison, writer, d. June 17, 1719 Waiting are they? Waiting are they? Well–let ’em wait. In response to an attending doctor who attempted to comfort him by saying,... Read more