Gary Neal Hansen

Theology. It's good for you.

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You are here: Home / Archives for Lent

Three Keys to Spiritual Maturity: A Lenten Reflection

April 8, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

What qualities define spiritual maturity? It is a good thing to reflect on at any time: know what the target is and you have a better chance of moving toward it. I’ve been recommending people think about the question now, in Lent, following the model of Thomas Hooker, 17th century Puritan and founder of Connecticut. […]

Filed Under: Prayer, Theology Tagged With: Christian maturity, Lent, Maturity, Puritans, Self-examination, The Character of a Sound Christian, Thomas Hooker

The Big Do Over (Heidelberg Catechism, Q. 8)

April 1, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

The idea of God giving us a big “do over” is right at the heart of the Christian season of Lent. People who have set out to follow Jesus spend time reflecting on the state of our lives. We find we aren’t meeting the standard. We don’t do this to beat ourselves up though. We are […]

Filed Under: Heidelberg Catechism, Theology Tagged With: Born Again, Ctrl+Alt+Del, Jesus, Lent, new life, Reset

My Problem. Whose Fault? (Heidelberg Catechism, Q. 7)

March 19, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

In Leonard Bernstein’s “West Side Story” members of an urban gang consider the source of their problems. They sing it all to their favorite cop, Officer Krupke. Here’s their first theory. I’ll call it “Krupke, 1”: Dear kindly Sergeant Krupke,  You gotta understand,  It’s just our bringin’ up-ke  That gets us out of hand.” Many […]

Filed Under: Heidelberg Catechism, Theology Tagged With: Adam and Eve, Fall, Flip Wilson, Gee Officer Krupke, heidelberg catechism, Lent, Officer Krupke, Self-examination, sin, The Devil made me do it., West Side Story

Are You God’s Self-Portrait? Heidelberg Catechism Q. 6

March 14, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

You sit down with your journal to do some Lenten reflection. You start thinking about your life, your relationships, your faith. You are probably aware of some places where you wish things were different — that’s the point, of course. But then you look back and wonder: “Hasn’t it always been this way?” Unless you […]

Filed Under: Heidelberg Catechism, Theology Tagged With: heidelberg catechism, Lent, Self-examination, Self-portrait

The Secret to a Life-Giving Lent

March 11, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

Here’s the paradox: Lent is a serious season, but it is part of a joyful process.  Here’s the problem: The stereotypical approach to Lent does nothing for either side of the paradox. You know what I mean. People pick something to “give up for Lent” and they are done. Nothing very serious. Nothing very joyful. […]

Filed Under: Prayer, Theology Tagged With: Accounting, Diaries, Diary keeping, John Beadle, Journal keeping, Journalling, Lent, Puritans, Self-examination, Thomas Hooker

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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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