This work was my first introduction to the work of this British composer who has sacred choral works among his compositions. I borrowed the CD from the public library when I lived in Durham in the UK. Nowadays, people just go to YouTube to find new music. But there is so much on there that one might miss gems like this one all too easily in the flood of music that can now be accessed so very easily. Read more
“It is a sign of maturity when we stop trying to make everyone into clones of ourselves (whether they be our students, children, or employees) and begin to appreciate them for who they are. We are invariably rewarded when we make the effort to encounter another person in his or her integrity.” – Steve Mason (Josephus and the New Testament, p. 24) HT Bob Cargill on Facebook, who shared the quote a while back. It seemed to me memeworthy and... Read more
I hate the false antithesis that many online debaters try to impose in discussions about the Bible – either it is the inerrant words of God or it is garbage. I hate to think how they applied that viewpoint to their parents’ fallible but useful advice. Then again, maybe they did so, and thus hold this view despite parental warnings to avoid false antitheses. Dan Wilkinson had a nice post recently on this topic. I particularly appreciated this quote: Being... Read more
No need to justify discussing this episode of the X-Files in relation to religion – the episode begins with a Muslim man at prayer. The same man goes to pick up another Arabic-speaking friend, and then they go to an art gallery called Ziggurat, where there is a depiction of the prophet Muhammad. They blow it up. Then we see Mulder talk with Scully about “ear-witnesses” who heard trumpets that seemed to come from nowhere. Mulder calls the book “Revelations” with an s... Read more
The New York Times had an article recently on the spike in “hate searches” after events such as terrorist attacks. The term “hate search” refers to things typed into search engines which express hatred towards an entire category of people, such as Muslims. After reading about this phenomenon, I imagined Jesus’ words being updated for the present day. “You have heard it said “Don’t kill” – but I tell you that whoever Googles hatred regarding others will be subject to... Read more
I’ve been listening to Nicolai Myaskovsky’s symphonic works today as I write. There is a lot of beauty and grandeur throughout, but the second movement of his Symphony No.18 in C Major, op.42, particularly demanded that I stop what I was doing and give my full attention. And so I thought in turn I would share it with you. Read more
The above video featuring Rev. Leonard J. Vander Zee offers a very interesting retelling of the Biblical, scientific, and theological stories woven together into a single narrative that has poetry and beauty. In an era when we have many who seem to think that faith invalidates science or vice versa, it is nice to hear someone seeking to creatively offer a new creation narrative, one which – just like the creation accounts in Genesis – doesn’t actually offer either new theology or... Read more
The Bible could not be clearer. No one should be doing something just because it is in the Bible! Read more
Brian Le Port decided to take a look and see what the Apostolic Fathers have to say about John the Baptist. He discovered that it is next to nothing. That is very interesting, don’t you think? Any thoughts on why that might be the case? I have an idea for a book about John the Baptist, and so I am very interested in exploring this topic and hearing what your thoughts are on it! Read more
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