“The Preaching Life” by Barbara Brown Taylor: A Book Review

THE PREACHING LIFE by BARBARA BROWN TAYLOR A Book Review I wonder if Barbara Brown Taylor wrote her own book description on the back of The Preaching Life.[1] If she did, I would be surprised because it does not match the meat of the text. The first descriptive sentence on the back flap—that magical place … Continue reading “The Preaching Life” by Barbara Brown Taylor: A Book Review

The World Needs More Housekeepers

In Titus 2, Paul instructs that elder women should teach young women to be "keepers of/at home." It sounds simple. But physical commands have spiritual counterparts, so what does it mean to keep a home…in the spiritual sense? The Greek word translated "keepers at home" or "homemakers" is a compound word - oikouros (derived from … Continue reading The World Needs More Housekeepers

The Unpardonable Sin (Part 1)

I'm giving some serious thought to forgiveness as we approach the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. As a side not, I acknowledge that this piece is particularly heavy with scriptural references, but since the topic is a little controversial in Christian circles, I thought it would be a helpful tracking device for my train of … Continue reading The Unpardonable Sin (Part 1)

The Unpardonable Sin (Part 2)

There is a passage which reads: "And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, `Who is this that doth speak evil [blasphemia] words? Who is able to forgive sins, except God only?'" (Luke 5:21). In this passage the noun is Greek blasphemia, intimately associated with the verb Luke uses in his "blasphemy against … Continue reading The Unpardonable Sin (Part 2)

“Dark Night of the Soul” by St. John of the Cross

  When I began to formally study theology, a few of my friends within the Christian circle offered me a warning. Their argument centered around the idea that Christians should not become too focused on the systematic analysis of the scriptures because such studies might diminish the thankfulness we have for God’s grace and love. … Continue reading “Dark Night of the Soul” by St. John of the Cross