Reflections on the loving kindness of the Triune God
In 1509 Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam wrote a biting critique of society in his day, In Praise of Folly. Among other issues he had the corruption of the church in his cross-hairs. His satire was so engaging that even Pope Leo X is said to have enjoyed it . . . without quite realizing that …
Read More In Praise of FollyThis post was first published by the Cor Deo website. Please offer any responses there: thanks! Knowledge can be interesting, useful, and random. This morning I experienced random knowledge on a BBC radio program. The presentation featured an expert on the properties and uses of lithium. He helped connect two worlds for me. On the …
Read More Heartfelt knowledgeJames enjoys being with Avery. On Friday James’ family came to dinner at my place and Avery was invited too. I hadn’t met her until now but I knew of her through my visits with his family in Poland. There had been many mentions of Avery during my visits and part of the talk by …
Read More Strange SpiritualityWhat makes us human? Is humanity, for instance, expressed by our actions? The term humane—expressing compassionate actions—is one measure of humanity. We call people humane if they care for needy and hurting people. Or even needy animals as in the “Humane Society.” A question, then: are humane people more human than those who are inhumane? …
Read More Being HumanToday I was rereading a slim volume I first picked up years ago during my London studies. Holmes Rolston’s John Calvin versus the Westminster Confession offers a surprising challenge to those who believe the 1646 Confession of Faith reflects what Calvin taught a century earlier. Rolston is a scholar raised in the Reformed tradition yet …
Read More Rolston’s little bookThis entry is shared with the Cor Deo site. Please offer any responses there. Thanks! My friend is an evangelist, a global Christian activist who offers the gospel whenever and wherever he finds opportunity. After any restaurant meal, for instance, he’ll fold the tip in a gospel tract. His voicemail message offers a gospel invitation …
Read More EvangelismFour boys were sitting around a bench at the local mall after school today. They weren’t doing anything out of the ordinary—just hanging out and passing time. I suspect they were actually giving each other some sense of meaning. They all looked about the same. For some reason they reminded me of my six months …
Read More Social FabricFaith is a favorite term among active Christians. Someone, for instance, may be having a crisis of faith. Another person may have just come to faith. Still another may be seeking more faith. There is also a collective term—“the faith”—that speaks of Christian doctrine as a whole. It’s an important term because faith is the …
Read More Demystifying FaithI watched a long string of cows moving along the fence line toward a barn. I was driving by a farm as the scene unfolded. It was milking time, I’m sure, and the cows were maintaining their daily routine. An awkward analogy struck me. The cows illustrate our own lives. In the eyes of corporate …
Read More Compliant or captivated?A revised entry, first posted in August, 2008 What makes God attractive? Is it his creativity that formed grand galaxies with striking shapes and colors? Or his intimate gift of spider-spun webs that catch morning dew and sparkle against the backdrop of leaves and roses? Yes, his handiwork is certainly captivating when we ponder his …
Read More Our Attractive God