A Postscript on Dragon-slaying
In case my point was too vague in my post last week about dragon-slaying, this is what I meant.
Seeing Order: Four Random Birthdays
Today, February 24, is the birthday of many people, obviously.* I have selected four whom I find especially interesting for personal reasons. Strangely, however, I see an order among them:…
A Note on Marriage
Last week’s Christ the Center podcast (a show I almost always enjoy but always find something to get angry about) featured an extended interview with Michael Haykin, who has apparently…
The City that Kills Prophets: A Reflection on the Lectionary Readings for 28 February 2010
Revised Common Lectionary Readings for 28 February 2010 (Year C, Lent) Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 • Psalm 27 • Philippians 3:17-4:1 • Luke 13:31-35 Abraham’s story is one that tempts me towards sloppy thinking…
Of Dragon-slaying and Human Dignity
I’ve always been a sucker for a good monster story. As a boy, I would browse through my parents’ books, especially the encyclopedias, and stop whenever I saw an illustration…
Thy Firmness Makes My Circle Just
On the Road slid into the American canon like a little boy under a garage door, running on pure energy and speed and getting there without anyone really thinking about…
The Christian Humanist Podcast, Episode 12: Tragedy
This week’s music: The Wallflowers’ “6th Avenue Heartache,” from Bringing Down the Horse (1996). General Introduction – Stamps, pogs, and other collections – What’s on the blog this week? –…
A New Kind of Christianity: A Review for The Ooze Viral Blogs
A New Kind of Christianity: Ten Questions That Are Transforming the Faith By Brian D. McLaren 320 pp. HarperOne. $24.99 When I praise Plato and defend my teaching Republic to…
Devil in a Headlock
Today, February 16th, is the feast of St. Juliana in the Latin tradition. While the earliest lists of martyrs link her with Cumae (through birth), she is also associated with…
Getting the Story Right: A Reflection on the Lectionary Readings for 21 February 2010
Revised Common Lectionary Readings for 21 February 2010 (Lent, Year C) Deuteronomy 26:1-11 • Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 • Romans 10:8b-13 • Luke 4:1-13 I’m a bit ashamed to admit that, although I could…
Emerson, Poe, and the War on Science
I’ve been accused of being “anti-science” on the podcast, a charge against which I’ve done my best to defend myself. My suspicion, as I say in that second post, is…
Fads, Fundamentals, Shibboleths, and Such
What I Have Learned in 50 Years as a Theologian part 1 by Jack Cottrell Yes, that’s my tradition. As some of CHB’s readers know, I was baptized into Christ…
Three Types in Grail Romance
The tales of King Arthur have fascinated me ever since I first read them, years ago, in a volume of Reader’s Digest condensed books. One section of those stories that…
The Christian Humanist Podcast, Episode 11: Epic
This week’s music: “Her Right Hand Rules the World,” by They Sang As They Slew, from Get Well (Northern Records, 2004). Great band, great record, great Tolkien reference. General Introduction…
Why I Distrust Populism
I’m not a great patriot, a fact you may have picked up on from the “God and Country” episode of the podcast. I’m certainly not anti-American, and I’m not particularly…