Gary Neal Hansen

Theology. It's good for you.

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You are here: Home / Archives for Faith

How Do You Know That? (Heidelberg Catechism Q. 19)

September 16, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

You and I were born in an age shaped by scientific thinking. We find it hard to accept that there might be ways of knowing other than through science — the proof of hypotheses through experimentation. It is a sort of cultural mythos, this devotion to science. It is a religion without a temple. We […]

Filed Under: Bible, Faith, Heidelberg Catechism, Theology Tagged With: Epistemology, Knowing, Proof, Science and religion, Science vs. faith

What Is and Isn’t Reformed Theology? (Heidelberg Catechism Q. 23)

September 9, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

When I teach about Reformed theology, I often start by showing a pyramid of three layers. Like that one on the far end of the row of Queens Pyramids at Giza. Just picture the bottom layer a lot thicker. The big foundation layer is core Christian teachings —  Things like our understanding of God — the […]

Filed Under: Faith, Heidelberg Catechism, Theology Tagged With: Apostles' Creed, Pyramid, Reformed Theology

The “YES!” that Changed Everything: The Annunciation of the Lord

March 25, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

There are a few moments on which the history of the world swings like a hinge. People my age remember exactly where they were when the Twin Towers fell. For Christians the real hinge moments are long before our own lives: Jesus’ death on the cross on Good Friday; his rising from the grave Easter […]

Filed Under: Faith, Saints, Theology Tagged With: Annunciation, Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary, BVM, Faith, Luke 1:26-38, Obedience, Virgin Mary

Vocabulary Lesson: “Lent,” “Ash Wednesday”

March 5, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen 4 Comments

Today is “Ash Wednesday,” the beginning of the most serious season in the Church’s year: the forty days, not counting Sundays, leading up to Easter. We call the season “Lent.” For non-native speakers of Christianity, here are a couple of vocabulary lessons: Lesson 1: “Lent” comes from a medieval English word meaning “Spring,” from source […]

Filed Under: Church Year, Faith, Heidelberg Catechism, Theology, Vocabulary, Worship Tagged With: Ash Wednesday, Church year, Lent, Penitence, Repentance, Self-examination

Courtroom Drama: Why You Need Jesus to Be Human (Heidelberg Catechism Q. 16)

February 21, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

When you go to a movie you play a little trick on yourself. It is called “suspension of disbelief.” For about an hour and a half you watch in terror as asteroids smash the earth, or dolls transform themselves into monsters. You cheer for the hero — even when that hero is striving to do […]

Filed Under: Faith, Heidelberg Catechism, Theology Tagged With: Drama of salvation, heidelberg catechism, Jesus, Mediator, Substitutionary atonement

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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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