Book Nine was short, but fairly tedious. In these thirty pages Augustine debates the nature of demons, who are believed to serve as intermediaries between men and the gods. Most in Augustine's day believed there were good and bad demons, and Augustine explores, then refutes, this notion, along with the belief that demons can serve … Continue reading City of God, Book 9: Demon Go-Betweens
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Don’t be Colorblind. Be Better.
I have only begun reading the book Beyond Colorblind by Sarah Shin (IVP). It was part of InterVarsity Press' free ebook giveaway a few weeks ago. I just finished chapter one and two things struck me...one I knew but didn't have words for, one a completely new insight. First, the brand new insight. I'm ethnic. … Continue reading Don’t be Colorblind. Be Better.
The Precious Gift of the Church
During my Romans Bible study last week, I stepped up on my soapbox and waxed eloquently about the importance of the visible church. It is a much overlooked and yet incredibly important aspect of Christian theology. It was Paul’s imagery of the church as the Body of Christ in Romans 12 that got me going … Continue reading The Precious Gift of the Church
City of God, Book 8: Close, but no Cigar
In Book Eight Augustine leaves behind his discussion of the religion of the theatre and the temple, of the people on the street, and focuses his attention on "they who profess to be 'lovers of wisdom'". If wisdom is identified with God, then these men are lovers of God, but, contends Augustine, not everything that … Continue reading City of God, Book 8: Close, but no Cigar
Corporate Sin? Confessing My Ancestors Sins?
I have seen a lot of posts recently in my social media feed of people who say things like, "I didn't do _________, so I have nothing to repent of or be sorry for." These posts assert that sin and guilt are always only personal and never corporate or generational. Accordingly, those who think this … Continue reading Corporate Sin? Confessing My Ancestors Sins?
God Entranced 