An awakening. An opening into higher consciousness.  A discovery.  A parting of the fog of confusion, revealing a new kind of clarity.  Webster’s says that an epiphany is a sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something. What an enticing definition!  It makes me eager to get an epiphany right now.  How about you?    In the context of the Christian church calendar, Epiphany is January 6, the day celebrated as the time when the wise... Read more

A Reflection on Epiphany (January 6, 2012) In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East, came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews?  For we observed his star at his rising, and have come to pay him homage.”…. When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its... Read more

Just a few days after the celebration of Christmas, the light of Bethlehem is eclipsed and the dark shadows of life return to the stories of young Jesus.  Tucked between Christmas Day and the Feast of Epiphany (January 6), the Massacre of Infants or Slaughter of Innocents is remembered.  In the Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and Episcopalian traditions, this moment in the biblical story is recalled on December 28; the Orthodox tradition sets aside December 29 as a day of mourning... Read more

What would Jesus do if he were here right now? I can’t think of a better question to ask at this holiday season. So much could be written on this subject, but here are a few random thoughts just to get the ball rolling … maybe folks will follow-up on their own blogs or on my Facebook page.  This might also be a good topic of conversation around an upcoming holiday meal. 1. Jesus might be born into today’s world... Read more

Progressive Christians struggle with the stories and theology of the incarnation.  Following Rudolf Bultmann, most progressives see the angelic visitation to Mary and the virgin birth as myths reflecting the early church’s affirmation of Jesus’ uniqueness not unlike stories of other political and savior figures.  Moreover, most progressives also question Jesus’ metaphysical uniqueness and relationship to God – that is, the belief that he was not only different in degree of God consciousness from us, but also different in kind,... Read more

The church and the seminary, in their current structures, are at risk of becoming totally irrelevant to contemporary culture. Who will reach the Nones? According to Weiner, who has self declared as one of them, they are open, searching and experimenting. How will we break through the structures that are holding us back from engaging this new generation of faith seekers? Read more

Advent's darkness offers a womblike cocoon where we are invited to wait, to ponder what is gestating within us, and to hold expectancy for the glimmer of light on the horizon. As you contemplate what it would feel like to burrow in and hibernate while you gestate whatever hope, dream or vision you're longing to birth in your life, here is a simple winter ritual. Read more

Of course there’s a war on faith, Rick Perry. There has been a war on faith for about a century now. But it’s not President Obama who is waging this war. Nor is it liberals who are attacking faith in this country. In a touch of irony, it is a number of the very people at whom your ad is no doubt targeted who are waging an all-out war on faith. The war on faith is being waged by literalists who have, for a 100... Read more

When was the last time Christians came together and linked arms to protest anything? Many of us have missed meaningful opportunities to let our voices be heard. Not only is speaking out being true to your convictions, it also offers a beacon of hope to others. The world is attracted to people who are passionate enough to live out their beliefs in the open and out on the streets. Read more