Gary Neal Hansen

Theology. It's good for you.

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You are here: Home / Archives for Theology

What Do You Hope For? Three Promises In Christ’s Resurrection

August 30, 2013 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

Years ago, when I was a pastor, I stood with a family who had lost a loved one — a husband, father, and grandfather.  His widow, whom I’d not previously met, was overwhelmed. She hardly spoke in the week I saw her, so wracked she was by the pain of grief. It is hardly surprising. […]

Filed Under: Heidelberg Catechism, Theology Tagged With: afterlife, Catechism, empty tomb, Heidelberg, heidelberg catechism, hope, life after death, new life, resurrection, theology

John Wesley’s Basic Christianity, or, How Does a Methodist Stay a Methodist?

August 20, 2013 by Gary Neal Hansen 18 Comments

I’m at the plate. The ball whizzes by, right at elbow height. That’s one. The second pitch goes the same way. That’s two. I swing at the third, but I don’t know if the “whoosh” of the ball or the “whoosh” of the bat is clearer in my ears. “You’re outta there!” Baseball has clear […]

Filed Under: Community, Theology, Wesley Tagged With: community, John Wesley, Methodism, Norms

Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall: Heidelberg Catechism and the Law of God

August 6, 2013 by Gary Neal Hansen 2 Comments

You see someone looking in the mirror. Looking. Looking. What is he thinking? Better still, what are you thinking? Too much attention to his reflection — easy to suppose he likes what he sees. We mock the self-absorption of mythical Narcissus, falling in love with his reflection in a pond. But we also fear what […]

Filed Under: Heidelberg Catechism, Theology Tagged With: Calvin, Catechism, Heidelberg, law, mirror, Misery, sin, theology

Spiritual Discernment: Meet St. Ignatius of Loyola

July 31, 2013 by Gary Neal Hansen 3 Comments

Number one on my list of Tough Guys for Jesus: St. Ignatius of Loyola (c. 1491-1556).  His leg was smashed by a cannon ball when he was a soldier. He endured surgery to set the bones — long before the day of anesthetics. Here’s where the tough guy points rack up: The bone didn’t set […]

Filed Under: Prayer, Saints, Theology Tagged With: Consolation, Desolation, Discernment of Spirits, Examen, Examination of Conscience, Ignatius of Loyola, Prayer

John Wesley’s OTHER Secret to Building Community

July 29, 2013 by Gary Neal Hansen 6 Comments

Once upon a time there was a kite.  It had a wonderful time when a certain little kid would take it to the park. It caught the wind and soared high. It loved to be close to the clouds — but it longed to fly higher. “This kid is holding me back. I could go […]

Filed Under: Community, Theology, Wesley Tagged With: community, Methodism, 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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