Process Theology and Sophiology

Last updated on: October 28, 2019 at 3:34 am By Henry Karlson

Modern process theology, developed in the twentieth century, is one of the most controversial ways to theologize about God. Process theologians reject the normative theological tradition in the way it describes God. Instead of saying God is eternal, unchanging (because he is eternal), omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent, process theologians say God is viewed as being in time, as changing with time, and therefore, possessing limits to his knowledge and power. Process theologians believe that the traditional view of God is... Read more

Horror, Halloween and the Gospel

Last updated on: October 26, 2019 at 10:42 am By Henry Karlson

In art, either as creators or participants, we are helped to remember some of the glorious things we have forgotten, and some of the terrible things we are asked to endure, we who are children of God by adoption and grace. — Madeleine L’Engle [1] The proper story of man is everything. The proper study of man as artist is everything which gives a foothold to the imagination and the passions. —C.S. Lewis[2] The Gospel is the story of the... Read more

The Exorcism of the Amazon Synod

Last updated on: October 23, 2019 at 9:38 am By Henry Karlson

In his historical mission, Jesus, the light of the world, constantly encountered the dark forces of sin. It was found all over, from those who claimed to be pious followers of God to people living in the tombs. Wherever he went, the darkness would make itself known. Demonic powers were everywhere, for where there was sin, there was the darkness which confronted the light, trying to entrap it so that it could be set aside. “The light shines in the... Read more

The Crux Ansata And Our Lady of the Amazon

Last updated on: October 22, 2019 at 6:59 am By Henry Karlson

One of the great powers of symbols is that they are quite adaptable; the same symbol can be used to represent multiple meanings. Often, the meanings evolve, one from another, adding layer after layer of meaning. This means that previous understandings of the image are included in and help explain their new meaning once the transformation has taken place. Christians, since the foundation of the Christian faith, have taken symbols from the culture around them, using the meaning already associated... Read more

Not Just Salvation, But Glorification

Last updated on: October 21, 2019 at 3:33 am By Henry Karlson

It is a sad fact that for many, Christianity, the Christian faith, is believed to be taught merely for the salvation of souls. Everything else is said to be secondary, and indeed, easily put aside. Of course, the salvation of souls is a part of the Christian faith. No one should deny its importance. But it is not all that Christianity teaches, nor all that it is concerned about. It is concerned with what is true, and promoting the practices... Read more

The Apostle Luke, Hellenist

Last updated on: October 18, 2019 at 3:36 am By Henry Karlson

Scripture tells us little concerning the writer of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. Luke gives us a few glimpses as to why he wrote his texts, but we are given next to nothing concerning his own particular biography. We might try to connect him to the companion of Paul mentioned in the book of Colossians, “Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you” (Col. 4:14 RSV), Philemon (cf. 1:24), and 2 Timothy (cf. 4:11), but... Read more

From Its Inception, Christianity Has Been Enculturated

Last updated on: October 16, 2019 at 7:06 am By Henry Karlson

Christians have always been engaging themselves with the cultures in which they live. They have done this both transforming the culture from within, but also by allowing the culture to transform the way Christians represented themselves by addressing, and applying, the values and beliefs of the culture at large to the Christian faith. That is, Christians have let the culture they live in establish the symbols and standards in which Christians are to act and think. This is not to... Read more

Animal Exploitation And Consequentialism

Last updated on: October 14, 2019 at 3:35 am By Henry Karlson

Many, if not most, people today accept that being deliberately cruel to animals is wrong. They understand there is something immoral in such activity, even if they cannot exactly state why it is immoral. Likewise, they even accept that there can be, and should be, some legal protections which prevent at least some kinds of cruelty towards animals. On the other hand, most people also accept the notion that humanity is, in some way or another, superior to animals, and... Read more

Not Only Should We See The Return of Women Deacons, Their Function Should Be Reconsidered To Fit Modern Times

Last updated on: October 10, 2019 at 1:15 pm By Henry Karlson

In the canons of the Council of Chalcedon, we read: A woman shall not receive the laying on of hands as a deaconess under forty years of age, and then only after searching examination. And if, after she has had hands laid on her and has continued for a time to minister, she shall despise the grace of God and give herself in marriage, she shall be anathematized and the man united to her. [1] In case some might wonder... Read more

Who had a colorful coat from his father?