theology
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What is a Sacrament?
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3 min read
[This is the first of three posts about the sacraments. Check out the second and third.] What do we mean when we call something a Sacrament? According to the Book of Common Prayer (pp. 857-8): The sacraments are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace, given by Christ as sure and certain means by…
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Jesus Verbs
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1 min read
a homily for Ascension Day Text: Luke 24:44-53 The Ascension is pretty much the hardest part of the Jesus Event for the post-Enlightenment world to get. It seems as if we can suspend our disbelief only so far. And the Ascension is just too much. And yet, we might be asking the wrong question. Listen…
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Not Free to Think
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5 min read
A short reflection on race, geopolitics, theology, and the role of the church in faith. Growing up in the church, I have long felt both at home in the church and like a resident alien. What some classify as evoking transcendent timelessness, I have often seen as dated and inaccessible. When exploring other ways of…
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Uncovering Love
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5 min read
a Sermon for Easter 5C Text: John 13:31-35 Love Each Other. Too Obvious? Sometimes we have a selection from scripture that is too obvious. We understand where Jesus is going and what He’s getting at. Today is one of those days. Jesus gives a new commandment, something he pretty much never does outside of this,…
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Peter Jumps Into the Water
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4 min read
This week’s gospel from John 21 deals with nudity, miraculous fishing, and redefining love. It is a jam-packed resurrection appearance that only could be delivered by that incredible gospel we call John. One part sticks out for me this week. And it obviously deals with Peter. So the disciples are fishing. They are hanging out.…
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Rejecting the Cross that isn’t Christ’s
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4 min read
a Sermon for Good Friday C Text: John 18:1-19:42 The Cross Jesus was forced to carry it. He died on it. What more do we know about it? Jesus was being led to the outskirts of the city, right outside the front gate. This is where traitors were hanged and let to rot in the…