In the early 4th century, after imperial edicts ended official Roman persecution of Christians at last, theologians noticed something important. After 300 years of praying to and reflecting on the name of Jesus, the word “God” was changing. Athanasius, sometimes bishop and sometimes exile of Alexandria, made it his life’s work to pay attention to this change. In particular, he paid attention to what happened to the story of salvation, now that the story of God was shifting. Is God... Read more
“Origen is the whetstone of us all.” —Gregory of Nazianzus Origen’s Controversial life Controversy always followed Origen (d. 253), from his youth to theological classrooms 1800 years later. One story (likely false), that as a young man drawn to extreme versions of asceticism he castrated himself, plagued him later in life. A conflict with the bishop got him exiled from Alexandria. His method of exegesis and especially the theological structure that supported it continue to puzzle scholars. And yet, for... Read more
“He appeared as human in the fulness of time, and, being God’s Word, he summed up in Himself all things in heaven and on earth. He united humans with God and brought about communion between God and humans.” -St. Irenaeus of Lyon Why I need Irenaeus Many years ago I sat with a spiritual director and tried to describe a difficult moment in my life. I say “tried,” because I was feeling overwhelmed, and having a tough time putting it... Read more
Theologians—especially premodern ones—often use the language of divine ideas to talk about God’s work of making a world. God is something like an architect who builds creation on a mental blueprint. (That image is rich and helpful, and also has problems. We’ll get back to it.) Some of the questions that these theologians ask hover around universals and particulars: does God have an idea called “dog,” or of my particular dog? Or both? Is God an Event Planner? My current... Read more
I’m deep in syllabus building these days. I’m planning, among other classes, my spring course on the Church Fathers. The new courses are the hard ones, even ones cobbled together from previous versions like this one. We professors select primary and secondary readings, all the while trying to imagine the experiences students will have with them. We try to imagine as well the conversations that will fill the classroom as we pour over these texts together. Syllabus-building involves lining up... Read more
As I’m still in transition between semesters, I thought today might be a good day to include a “best of 2021” column. These are among the best theology books I read last year. Only one of them was actually published in 2021. Here they are, in no particular order. The Way of a Pilgrim and The Pilgrim Continues His Way. This anonymous work from Russia in the 19th century became popular among American readers after its translation in the 20th.... Read more
For those opening this link expecting to read about combs and watch chains, I’m sorry to mislead. It’s Epiphany, and today’s column is about the theological implications of the story in Matthew’s Gospel. Today I am thinking about the post-birth narrative of the Magi who brought gifts to the Christ child. Risks of the Magi Matthew’s second chapter is heavy with risk and threat. Recall the elements: the Magi come to celebrate the astrological sign of a new king’s birth.... Read more
This January 1st, consider dropping the resolutions and spending time, instead, building new habits. The End of Resolutions Does anyone still do New Year’s resolutions? The mid-January jokes are predictable even as they strike home. The only mystery is whether the diet, gym membership, and library card usage will last a whole month, or just a week or two. What, though, is the alternative, if we’re wise to the fact that resolutions are a recipe for failure and shame?... Read more
Before we left campus for Christmas, my colleague Rev. Dr. Dominique Robinson at Seminary of the Southwest gave me a brief education on Watch Night. Watch Night is a major feast and prayer event in the Black Church. It is also a rich study in the paradox of Christian freedom. Watch Night in Black Church Traditions This Friday night, Black Churches around the United States will open their doors for a New Year’s Eve gathering. They will be celebrating the... Read more
OK Christmas, can we talk about the Virgin Birth? After our recent Advent service of Lessons and Carols at Saint Julian of Norwich Episcopal Church, my friend Robbie asked me these questions: Is it necessary for Mary to have been a virgin to have been anointed by God to carry his child? Could this part of the story be another example in our patriarchal history of subjugating women? Could the Virgin Birth Be about Subjugating Women?... Read more
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