I wonder sometimes whether readers think it is odd that I blog on a classic Reformed text like the Heidelberg Catechism one day and on saints of the Catholic and Orthodox world the next. From Calvin’s time onward, a good deal of Reformed ink has been spilled ridiculing Catholic devotion to the saints. Take my […]
St. Gregory of Nazianzus — “The Theologian”
In much of Western Christianity, today is the feast of St. Gregory of Nazianzus (c. 329 – c. 389). In the East he is celebrated on other days and regarded much more highly: they call him “The Theologian.” I can’t overestimate how important Gregory is to me, though in truth I have read only a […]
My First Year in Blogging: Top Posts of 2013
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 […]
St. Leo the Great on Christmas
“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 […]
Yes, Children, There Is a Santa Claus. Really.
When I was a pastor, one Sunday in Advent I called the kids forward for the children’s sermon. I told my three-to-seven-year-old congregation Today I’m going to tell you the truth about Santa Claus. Usually the kids were pretty wriggly. This time the parents were squirming. Here is what I told them. Long, long ago, […]