Gary Neal Hansen

Theology. It's good for you.

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My First Year in Blogging: Top Posts of 2013

December 30, 2013 by Gary Neal Hansen 2 Comments

I’ve now been blogging for a year! I’m very grateful to you, dear readers, for your interest. The numbers stun me: Well over 10,000 page views Visitors from 72 countries Most from the USA of course but hundreds from New Zealand Canada the United Kingdom Germany Finland How I wish I could know how you […]

Filed Under: Community, Heidelberg Catechism, Saints, Theology Tagged With: Basic Christianity, Best of 2013, Bible, Christian Community, community, Guest Posts, heidelberg catechism, John Wesley, Martin Luther, Saints

St. Leo the Great on Christmas

December 25, 2013 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

“Christian, remember your dignity Dearly beloved, today our Savior is born; let us rejoice. Sadness should have no place on the birthday of life. The fear of death has been swallowed up; life brings us joy with the promise of eternal happiness. No one is shut out from this joy; all share the same reason […]

Filed Under: Saints

A Christmas Kind of Faith (Heidelberg Catechism Q. 36)

December 24, 2013 by Gary Neal Hansen 3 Comments

What's an Epiphany?

I don’t know if you have noticed, but we tend toward a Good Friday kind of faith. Even on Christmas. You see it in Christmas ornaments featuring crosses. It always strikes me most strongly when we sing the Appalachian Christmas Carol, “I Wonder as I Wander”: I wonder as I wander out under the sky, […]

Filed Under: Heidelberg Catechism, Theology Tagged With: Appalachian Christmas Carol, Christmas, heidelberg catechism

The Secret to Living Comfortably in Stressful Times (Heidelberg Catechism Q. 1)

December 18, 2013 by Gary Neal Hansen 4 Comments

Christmas is a week away. The stress level is getting a tad high. We long for just a few comfortable moments. Actually living in comfort seems way out of reach. There is the front burner stuff: shopping wrapping, cooking, parties. Or maybe it is the opposite front burner stuff: no money to shop with nobody […]

Filed Under: Heidelberg Catechism, Theology Tagged With: Advent, Christmas, Comfort, heidelberg catechism, Isaiah 40, Question 1

Advent 3: Thinking About Jesus’ Earthly Ministry (Heidelberg Catechism Q. 90)

December 16, 2013 by Gary Neal Hansen 2 Comments

We are backing our way toward Bethlehem. We’ve looked to the future return of Jesus, and at how Jesus comes to us in our own lives. On Advent 3 we look at Advent through the eyes of someone focused on being prepared for Jesus’ earthly ministry. Still no baby in a manger, but we’re getting […]

Filed Under: Heidelberg Catechism, Theology Tagged With: Advent, Bearing fruit, heidelberg catechism, John the Baptist, Repent, Repentance

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Theology. It’s good for you.

I'm a Church historian by trade. My writing, speaking, and teaching explores the Christian past to equip today's disciples. Join me here for regular posts on the best of theology, spirituality, community, and ministry. read more…

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