Gary Neal Hansen

Theology. It's good for you.

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You are here: Home / Archives for Vocabulary

On Forgiveness (Heidelberg Catechism, Q 56)

December 2, 2016 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

forgiveness

What is forgiveness? I’m sorry, we say. We did something that caused someone pain. No problem, they answer. Or That’s okay. What if they said I forgive you. It almost grates doesn’t it? If someone says they forgive us, it means they agree that we did them some harm. There was something that needed forgiving. Ouch. We’re much […]

Filed Under: Heidelberg Catechism, Theology, Vocabulary Tagged With: Debts, Forgiveness, Satisfaction

Lent: On Repentance

March 23, 2016 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

Repentance

Lent is coming. That means you still have a few days to get ready to take a dive into repentance. Chances are that doesn’t sound like such a great offer. Especially in the Protestant world we have a pretty hard time with repentance. We associate the word “repent” with our lunatic fringe, carrying signs about the […]

Filed Under: Bible, Church Year, Vocabulary Tagged With: Lent, Parable of the Prodigal Son, Repentance, Sunday of the Prodigal Son

Best of 2014

January 26, 2015 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

Recently while I’ve barely posted at all, a bunch of new people have subscribed to my blog. Thank you! Partly to give new readers a window into what I’ve been doing here, and partly as a way to think about my own blogging, here are my ten most-read posts of 2014. They fall into four categories: Answers to timeLY […]

Filed Under: Church Year, Saints, Theology, Vocabulary Tagged With: best of 2014, Most viewed posts

Vocabulary Lesson: The Keys of the Kingdom (Heidelberg Catechism, Q83)

October 29, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen 4 Comments

Read your King James Bible and several times you’ll run across the word “sackbut.” Say that today and somebody will feel insulted. Back in 1611 people knew it was a musical instrument. Language changes as centuries pass. That can happen with theological vocabulary too. Take the word “keys.” Listen hard to sermons, to your Christian […]

Filed Under: Heidelberg Catechism, Theology, Vocabulary Tagged With: Discipline, Keys, preaching

A Better Way to Think About Heaven, via St. Gregory of Nyssa

July 19, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

Christians in our culture have a pretty odd default view of life after death. We call it “heaven” and tell the world they ought to make sure they get to go there, but we portray it as frankly boring. You know the schtick: sitting forever on a cloud holding a harp you don’t know how to play. […]

Filed Under: Saints, Theology, Uncategorized, Vocabulary Tagged With: Apophatic Theology, Cappadocians, Cloud of Unknowing, Gregory of Nyssa, Heaven, Life of Moses

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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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