The New Testament states that when one becomes a Christian, a dramatic change occurs in the life of that person. Different metaphors are used to describe this metamorphosis: born again, born from above, dying to the old self, raised to a new life, living according to the spirit, a new… Continue reading
The Gospel of John is a literary masterpiece. Even the most casual reader of the New Testament recognizes how different John’s Gospel is from the three Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). The Gospel of John is a theological interpretation of the Christ event. There are many metaphors and symbols… Continue reading
I was born in 1948, so I spent my childhood in the Deep South during the 1950s and the early 1960s. In many ways I had a happy childhood. I never doubted for even one second that I was loved and cherished by both of my parents. As with most… Continue reading
I grew up in the Deep South where storytelling was ubiquitous and valued. There were well-known stories almost everyone knew as well as stories unique to individuals and families. As a child I heard both kinds of stories, but the ones I treasure today are the stories about members of… Continue reading
The great 20th century theologian Paul Tillich once said that in its infancy, Christianity had only one real rival, and that was the spirit of stoicism. There were many other competing religions, but only one real rival—a rival and threat that has stayed with the church for two thousand years…. Continue reading
Lent is a time for reflection, soul-searching, confession, repentance, and preparation for the coming grace of God. I’ve always has a suspicion that we Protestants are not quite sure what to do with Lent. The pageantry and triumph of Palm Sunday and Easter are more our style. The church, however,… Continue reading
My prayer is that the vision I am creating now and which will one day control me is healthy and open enough to allow me to continue to grow and change, for I still have a long way to go. Continue reading
It may seem strange to jump from Christmas to Jesus’ baptism, from his birth to his early to mid-thirties. But in making that leap, we are following the Scriptures. With the exception of Luke’s account of a family pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem when Jesus was 12 years old,… Continue reading
