Gary Neal Hansen

Theology. It's good for you.

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You are here: Home / Archives for Self-examination

Lent: Taking Stock with Evagrius Ponticus

February 26, 2015 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

Lent is a season for self-examination. It is not mainly about feeling guilty. It is more like a chance to check the GPS (that might be “God Positioning System” if you like acronyms) and figure out exactly where you have come and where you still have to go. We often describe this life as a spiritual journey, […]

Filed Under: Church Year, Faith, Monasticism, Theology Tagged With: Desert Fathers, Evagrius of Pontus, Evagrius Ponticus, Lent, Self-examination

The Good Samaritan: A Lenten Reflection on Heidelberg Catechism Q. 9

April 11, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

I can’t do it! You are not being fair.” Both as a parent and as a teacher I’ve inspired those accusations. Does our ability change our responsibility? If the rules tell me I have to do something, but my life says I just can’t do it, what happens?  Of course I don’t ask people to […]

Filed Under: Heidelberg Catechism, Theology Tagged With: Good Samaritan, heidelberg catechism, Human ability, Is God fair?, Lent, Self-examination

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

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

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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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