Variety of Christianities – Do differences matter?

Within the broad spectrum of religious belief that is the Christian community, there is a movement to brush aside theological differences over “minor details” and focus on our similarities. For the most part, I fully support this endeavour. I am an advocate of ecumenism, which is the pursuit of reuniting the many varieties of Christianity once more […]

Sanctification – the praxis

Danger, danger, danger: my previous post and this follow-up may easily be misunderstood by those who are not far along the Christian walk, as it can easily be interpreted as legalism, which it is not – there is a balance. Let me emphasize this: be at peace. Romans 8 affirms us that there is no […]

Sanctification – the theory

I struggle living as a Christian. I mean really struggle. I’m a hypocrit. I’m filled with anger (I wish I knew why). I don’t really live as if I have much hope. I’m very demanding of myself and often give myself very little grace, which unfortunately can sometimes extend to other people. It’s easy to diagnose […]

Science!

I love science. In middle school I became fascinated with time travel. I wrote a series of research papers each year from 6th through 9th grades that began with time travel as the premise but ended with my best efforts as a 14-year-old in analyzing the most recent quantum physics theories regarding the natures of […]

For you, when you have no hope

No empty platitudes. I’m sick of them. Some cliched affirmations, because they sometimes help. I don’t know what it’s like to be you. I don’t know. What it’s like. To be you. I do know what it’s like to be me. Maybe. I know what it’s like to ask yourself, “What’s the point of going […]

Loneliness and despair

I confess: sometimes I feel like punching Joel Osteen right in the face. It’s not personal. I kind of like the dude despite myself, sincere theological differences and personal style aside. But my angst has to do with those theological differences and that incessant smiling. Osteen’s is a Christian theology of prosperity (more or less) […]

Living loved?

I had an “Aha!” moment the other day while listening to my bishop’s sermon. It was one of those times when something you’ve heard several times before suddenly hits you in a different light. The realization was that there actually are moments and experiences in life we can’t force into being (who’da thunk it?). I’m […]