Ronald Grimes, noted ritual theorist, has been one of the more formative voices in my own process of understanding ritual and how it relates to worshiping communities in their liturgy. Grimes has helped both widen the field of ritual, and has also contributed a very valuable set of parameters in which the rituals intricately woven into Liturgy can be consistently and comprehensively evaluated. Through his unique methodology he has been able to speak with depth and precision about ritual without... Read more

This last week me and the other doctoral students on the Crossed Purposes podcast talked about the Alien prequel Prometheus and its theological overtones, and bring up Space Jesus, Star Trek, and The Seventh Sign. We discuss if it would matter to our faith if humans were the creations of another alien race.  I would love to hear your thoughts and other questions in the comments section below. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element... Read more

Today I am very excited to make an announcement! Earlier this year I finished writing a book. I thought about a lot of options for publication of it and decided that I was going to release it first for the Kindle. If interest is strong enough in the book I may look into getting it published through a more traditional publishing house. Please check it out and let me know what you think. Find it here: How the First Christians Changed Dying Please consider supporting my writing and... Read more

At it’s core, the Church is a living thing, “vivified” by Christ (Lumen Gentium, 8). It is like a tree planted deep in the earth that sprouts up in every place, and brings forth life giving fruit to every culture, and like any living thing, it continues to grow and develop as new environments create new challenges and new climates to adapt to. The developments of human history are not intrinsically contrary to the life of the church, but can... Read more

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This week me and the other doctoral students on the Crossed Purposes podcast talked about the humanity of Christ as well as talk about Harry Potter, Star Trek, C.S. Lewis’ space trilogy, Battlestar Galactica and Neanderthals.  I would love to hear your thoughts and other questions in the comments section below. Download it here If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Read more

This last week me and the other doctoral students on the Crossed Purposes podcast recordred our first episode. We discuss the concept of divinity and give you a glimpse into how difficult it is to say anything at all when you are as confused as we are.  Also, Doctor Who, video games, and something called “sports” get mentioned Download it: Episode 1 – Divinity If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Read more

I have a new podcast that I am doing on culture and theology. It’s a round table discussion with a bunch of PhD students in different theological areas talking about movies, books, TV, sports, computers, video games, and of course God. I am excited about it. Our first episode goes live tonight. crossedpurposes.com Read more

This is a guest post by Fr. Stephen Freeman, an Orthodox (OCA) priest. You can read More by Fr. Freeman at his excellent blog Glory to God in All Things or listen to his podcast.  Reading the lives of the saints often raises our expectations. We read of someone transfigured with light, or of someone who is present in two places at once. We read beautiful descriptions of the inner life, of an awareness of our union with God or clarity with... Read more

I got this compilation from Savas Zembillas. Thanks!You are not making a gift of your possession to the poor person. You are handing over to him what is his. Ambrose of Milan, 340-397. The property of the wealthy holds them in chains . . . which shackle their courage and choke their faith and hamper their judgment and throttle their souls. They think of themselves as owners, whereas it is they rather who are owned: enslaved as they are to their own property,... Read more