Today the Orthodox Church commemorates one of the great figures of the Old Testament: the prophet Elijah, or Elias. Since for the last couple years I regularly participated in the Vespers service at St. Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Dubuque I wanted to reflect a bit on their patron saint. He is remembered as the […]
Closed Communion: It’s Not About You (Letters to a Young Pastor)
Dear ______: Glad to hear that you are using some of these summer Sundays to visit churches of other traditions. It is the best way to broaden your real knowledge of what worship is, and to sense first hand the diversity of the Body of Christ. (And do it now or you’ll lose your chance — […]
How Do You Make Sense of Theology? (Letters to a Young Pastor)
Dear ______: After my last couple of letters I’m shocked (shocked) to find you are not yet convinced of the value of your Church history course. Okay, I’m no more shocked than Captain Renault was to find there was gambling going on in Rick’s Café Américain. (If you don’t know the reference, watch Casablanca. You […]
Knowing the Church’s Story (Letters to a Young Pastor)
Dear ______: I’m glad to hear that you are at least looking for some “friends” from your readings in Church history. I think that is one good reason to study Church history, whether you are in seminary or not — but it isn’t by any means the only reason. One key thing you gain from a […]
Most Influential Christian Nominee: Constantine
On May 21 the Eastern Church celebrates the memory of my nominee for “Most Influential Christian”: Emperor Constantine the Great (272-337) Why, you may ask, is the Roman Emperor venerated as a saint? This guy who had the audacity to move the capital away from Rome, humbly renaming the city after himself? This guy who set […]
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