Recently I told the readers of my newsletter that I’m exploring writing of another kind: I’m “writing” an icon as taught in the Orthodox tradition. I asked them to let me know if they would be interested in reading about the process. A number of people said “Yes.” Precisely the same number of people clicked “Unsubscribe.” […]
Recommended Reading: Gregory of Nazianzus and John Chrysostom
This week the Orthodox cycle of saints included not one but two of my favorites: Gregory of Nazianzus and John Chrysostom. Both were Archbishops of Constantinople back in one of my favorite centuries: the fourth. The fourth century was the time of the biggest arguments about the biggest issues, and so became the time of […]
Your First Sermon (Letters to a Young Pastor)
Dear ______: Well I have to say your letter brought me joy: I know being in your first preaching class makes you nervous, but I think it is just great. Whether you become “a preacher” full time or not, Christians are given good news to share with the world. Preaching class is a lab to […]
Are You Righteous? (Heidelberg Catechism Q59)
I sometimes run this experiment in theology classes — classes mostly of Reformed Protestants aiming to be ministers. You might expect they would be fluent in Reformed theology. The experiment goes like this: I say, Raise your hand if you are righteous. How many hands do you think would be in the air? Zippo. And yet […]
Pastoral Timing and Faith-Sized Steps (Letters to a Young Pastor)
Dear ______: You asked a good question about my advice on being a pastor in dicey political times. Doesn’t there come a time for being more direct? Don’t you need to speak out against such abominable sins as racism that leads to violence, xenophobia that stops people from loving their actual neighbors, and sexism that excuses […]
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