Gary Neal Hansen

Theology. It's good for you.

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You are here: Home / Archives for Saints

Knowing the Past is a Great Thing: Thanks, Venerable Bede!

May 27, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

If you forget the past you are not really doomed to repeat it. However, remembering the right things from past can help you find wisdom, live in gratitude, and avoid certain things that would make you look like a doofus. One English monk who knew this, and helped the church remember its past for centuries after his death was “The Venerable […]

Filed Under: Saints, Theology, Uncategorized Tagged With: Bede, Patron Saint of Historians, St. Bede, Venerable Bede

“Be a Real Christian”: Charge to the Graduating Class, 2014

May 17, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen 6 Comments

As you leave seminary behind, as you move into your calling as servants of Christ, please, I beg you, take care what you aim for. Think hard about the goal, the target at which you are aiming your life. You want goals for your work and your ministry of course, but think, more importantly, about the […]

Filed Under: Saints, Theology Tagged With: Abba Joseph, Abba Lot, Desert Fathers, Greatest Commandment, Gregory Nazianzen, Gregory of Nazianzus, Loving God, Sayings of the Desert Fathers

How to Really Enjoy Your Summer Vacation: Advice from a Fourth Century Monk

May 13, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

Did you get to the end of vacation last year and wonder why you were disappointed? Big expectations of adventure and rest swallowed up by Angry Birds and email? Time think ahead, even though Memorial Day is weeks away. Classes are over for the semester (though a two-week Doctor of Ministry intensive is looming). Time to think about Summer before […]

Filed Under: Monasticism, Prayer, Saints, Theology Tagged With: Accidie, Desert Fathers, Monasticism, Redeeming the time, Rhythm, Sayings of the Desert Fathers, Self-management, St. Anthony, Vacation

How Can the Gospel be Good News Again? St. Athanasius of Alexandria

May 2, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

We Christians proclaim “the gospel.” The word means “good news.” What happens when what we tell the world sounds old and worn — not “news” at all. Worse still, what happens when what we say doesn’t actually sound “good” to people? Sometimes looking away from our tracts and truisms, looking back to what Christians used to […]

Filed Under: Saints, Theology Tagged With: Athanasius of Alexandria, Corruption, Decay, Jesus, sin, St. Athanasius

St. Catherine of Siena, Role Model for Christian Women. Men Too.

April 29, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

April 29 was a sad day if you were in Rome in 1380. A woman who had changed the world died. Who was Catherine of Siena? Let me tell you three very cool things about her. First, Catherine was eager to listen to Jesus. As a child she began having visions of Jesus, and her loving […]

Filed Under: Saints Tagged With: Avignon Papacy, Catherine of Siena, Doctor of the Church, St. Catherine, Visions

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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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