Gary Neal Hansen

Theology. It's good for you.

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You are here: Home / Archives for history of theology

Thy Representative Democracy Come?

May 16, 2013 by Gary Neal Hansen 5 Comments

When Jesus teaches us to pray for the future, his picture can sound a bit authoritarian: “Your kingdom come!” we are to pray. No matter how strongly we believe in enlightened, tolerant, participative government, when it comes to God we are in a monarchy. So what are we asking when we pray “Your kingdom come!”? […]

Filed Under: Heidelberg Catechism, Prayer, Theology Tagged With: Bible, Catechism, Heidelberg, history of theology, King, Kingdom of God, Lord's Prayer, Prayer

Gregory of Nazianzus, Oration 2 — Humility, Integrity, and Calling

April 5, 2012 by Gary Neal Hansen 1 Comment

Gregory closes out his oration considering the things that drove him from ministry and those that drew him back to it.  He makes a tour of biblical texts that make this line of work scary–think of Paul’s litany of his suffering and various prophets’ declarations of God’s judgment on faulty shepherds and priests.  The things […]

Filed Under: Gregory of Nazianzus Tagged With: books, Gregory Nazianzen, Gregory of Nazianzus, history of theology, ministry, priesthood, theological reflection

On Gregory of Nazianzus’ Oration 2: ‘In Defense of his Flight to Pontus…with an Exposition of the Character of the Priestly Office’

March 15, 2012 by Gary Neal Hansen 1 Comment

Those who study Gregory of Nazianzus seem to agree that he was a bit prickly, and that it might be more fun to have the company of his books than to have him in person.   His books are very good to have around.  I met one scholar who decided to master Patristic Greek (far […]

Filed Under: Gregory of Nazianzus Tagged With: books, Gregory Nazianzen, Gregory of Nazianzus, history of theology, ministry, priesthood, theology

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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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