When it comes to politics, I always have a lot of thoughts running through my head. I try to limit my comments to issues of personal interest or that connect directly with the Church. So, I commented when Obama had an openly gay bishop pray at his inauguration, when Pence inserted 'old glory' in a … Continue reading JD Vance and the ordo amoris
culture
Reading Augustine
I've quoted a good bit of Augustine recently, so I thought I'd recommend a few books I've read on and by Augustine for those who may want a deeper dive. First and foremost, read Confessions. It is a powerful spiritual autobiography. Don't read anything on Augustine till you've read this (unless you need a short … Continue reading Reading Augustine
Cutting Room Floor: Christian Hubris in Charity
On Sunday, I had the opportunity to preach our Outreach Sunday and invite people to step into the long stream of women and men who owned a living faith, put their faith to work, and showed their faith by their deeds—serving the poor, the sick, orphans, widows, refugees, immigrants, etc. I always want to say … Continue reading Cutting Room Floor: Christian Hubris in Charity
My Christian Brothers and Sisters
This is a political post, but I am not attempting to persuade anyone to vote for the right candidate. I'm calling Christians to remember they belong to each other despite their disparate views on an election. Regrettably, I did not go to a Guardians playoff game this year, but I did two years ago, and … Continue reading My Christian Brothers and Sisters
Humanity, Law Enforcement, and the Crisis of Church Scandal
Two streams of thought have merged and crashed into my struggle with the crisis of church scandals. And yes, crisis is the correct word, not hyperbole. Ten years ago, I wrote one of my favorite papers of my academic career. The paper was on John Williamson Nevin, an obscure theologian from the 19th century. Nevin … Continue reading Humanity, Law Enforcement, and the Crisis of Church Scandal
God Entranced 