In the major chapter of Gary Macy’s The Hidden History of Women’s Ordination: Female Clergy in the Medieval West, Macy sketches what it is that women were doing in the early Medieval Age. What he sketches clearly demonstrates that women were (1) ordained in the Roman Catholic tradition and (2) this was more rooted in local church decisions than in Rome and (3) that all this changed dramatically in about the 13th Century. I want to sketch out his major... Read more
On this blog we have given lots of attention to faith and science and the struggle scientists have with the orthodox Christian faith. What about artists? I read this statement not long ago and want to have a conversation about it: “For all the well-known and oft debated problems associated with reconciling faith and science, the ability to reconcile artistic creativity with Christian orthodoxy has proved to be a much bigger stumbling block for the evangelical tradition.” And by “artistic”... Read more
Recently a senior Vatican official compared Gaza to a concentration camp? Two questions: (1) What are the conditions of Palestinians in the Gaza strip? (2) How appropriate is this kind of language? JERUSALEM — Israel said Saturday it was shocked and distressed by a senior Vatican cardinal’s likening of Gaza under Israel’s military offensive to a concentration camp. A spokesman for Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the cardinal, whose remarks appeared in an interview Wednesday, adopted the kind of language that... Read more
Our next “gospel” text in the New Testament comes from the closing to Ephesians, in chapter six. It’s part of a longer text and I want to quote all of it: 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of... Read more
This is what some folks want when they read the Bible: they open their Bible looking for a good word, but by “good word” they mean a daily habit of reading the Bible in search of a blessing (a quiet moment of affirmation or a flush of confidence) or a promise (God, tell me something nice and something good about me and my day). So, they read the passage with that end in view. Let me back down one moment... Read more
Who then are the Third Way thinkers and writers? The other day I accidentally posted this and then took it down when I realized it, but Andy Rowell (see below) caught it first and contributed a wonderful set of links to the names below. Here is a listing of some of the Third Way thinkers … this is just a start … and you can mention others. (more…) Read more
Ps 104:32: “May the glory of the LORD endure for ever;* may the LORD rejoice in all his works. He looks at the earth and it trembles;* he touches the mountains and they smoke.” A picture of a strike in Gaza. Read more
Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. Read more
I’m part of the new Origins Project. Take a look and think about participating. Read more
The Hockey players of this world, being huge Cubs fans, couldn’t wait until April and decided to play a game … of hockey (I forgive ’em) … at Wrigley. I know someone from O! Canada! who came down to watch the NHL Winter Classic (Detroit vs. Chicago) at Wrigley. Seeing this ice hockey makes me think of Minnesota, which leads me to this: If I were not busy, I’d love to participate in this conference on pietism at Bethel, up... Read more
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