It’s almost election day. Is anyone else exhausted? I can only speak for myself, but I sure am. I have experienced an especially oppressive spirit over the past few months, and in conversations with others, I’m pretty sure I’m not alone. I think it’s more than just news fatigue. I think there is something spiritual […]
Tag: Faith
The Klan Comes to Town
Originally published in the Journal Review, August 2014 When I was twelve years old my parents took me to a Ku Klux Klan rally in downtown Crawfordsville. It wasn’t because they supported the Klan, quite the contrary. Rather, they wanted me to see, to be exposed to the fact that this was a real and […]
On the Christian Response to the Orlando Shootings
“I am so sick of this! I can’t believe people say those kinds of things!” My fourteen year old son burst through the door, visibly agitated. We could barely discern exactly what he was trying to communicate. But it was certainly urgent, and it appeared to have something to do with social media. “Ugh, more […]
What Has Corinth To Do With America?
I’ve been reading through the writings of the “Apostolic Fathers” recently. These works, some pastoral letters in the same vein as St. Paul’s epistles, others sermons, others accounts of martyrdom or histories, have one things in common: their connection to the Early Church, the Christians in the time just after the time of the Apostles. […]
Why I Must Oppose Donald Trump: One Priest’s Perspective
I am becoming more convinced that the era of argument is over. Whether in the public sphere, or sadly, even among family and friends, or communities I have witnessed the very swift decline of exchange of ideas, benefit of doubt, and allowance of nuance. I have certainly been guilty of contributing to this decline, perhaps […]
“Self-Appointed Tyranny”:Triumph and the Gospel
I try my best to not talk politics at Church. At seminary we were taught to preach the Gospel, not politics from the pulpit (or, in Orthodox terms, from the “ambo”.) The reason was because a) taking a political position would immediately alienate a portion of the congregation, and b) the point of the sermon […]
Revenge and Forgiveness
The Eighteenth Century Russian Bishop, St. Tikhon of Zadonsk, often gave the following word to those who sought guidance and counsel: “Forgiveness is better than revenge” Saint Tikhon was known for his very humble and austere way of life and appearance. He was strict with himself but indulgent with others, which is a sign of […]
Tradition! Part Two: “By word or by letter” (2 Thess. 2:15)
“So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.”- 2 Thessalonians 2:15 “Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established. “- Proverbs 15:22 As I mentioned in my last post, my wife […]
Tradition! Part One
Go ahead… sing it if you need to…. I’ll wait. Traditioooooon! Tradition! In our home, my wife often sings that line when our conversation veers into the topic of “tradition”. Most of us, even if we weren’t raised on “Fiddler on the Roof” know the reference, and certainly know and use the word. Tradition. Foods […]
Jesus the Loser
Every time I read the scriptures I keep finding that God tends to side with the losers. The poor, the immigrant, the outsider, the refugee, the outcast, the broken, the condemned. This is present in the Old Testament, but is made undeniably clear in the person of Jesus Christ, the Word of God made flesh, […]
Saved Together 