the Church's double life
from George Florovsky
[The Church] has, as it were, a double life, both in heaven and on earth.
The Church is a visible historical society, and the same is the Body of Christ. It is both the Church of the redeemed, and the Church of the miserable sinners—both at once. On the historical level no final goal has yet been attained. But the ultimate reality . . .
"Let the Law have its glory..."
Luther on the Law and the Gospel
Let the Law have its glory. But no Law, no matter how divine or holy, has the right to tell me that I obtain justification and life through it. I will grant that it can teach me that I should love God and my neighbor, and live in chastity, patience, etc.; but it is in no position to show me how to be delivered from sin, the devil, death, . . .
on Jesus as man and God
from Gregory of Nazianus
He was baptized as Man--but He remitted sins as God--not because He needed purificatory rites Himself, but that He might sanctify the element of water. He was tempted as Man, but He conquered as God; yea, He bids us be of good cheer, for He has overcome the world. He hungered--but He fed thousands; yea, He is the Bread that giveth life, . . .
I am an angel of death
a chaplain's reflection
Clad in my crisp, blue Service Dress, I creep unnoticed through Houston rush hour traffic.
Today, I am an angel of death.
To get into a gated community and a secure apartment complex, I wait in the shadows off to the side until I can pass through the gate and enter the door without alerting anyone at my destination.
. . .review: Upside-Down Spirituality by Chad Bird
the 9 Essential Failures of a Faithful Life
Earthy spirituality. Grace-drenched. Christ-focused.
If I had to sum up Chad Bird's new book, Upside-Down Spirituality, those would be the words that first came to mind. This book is a candid critique of how many contemporary, American Christians define success--a critique that turns these ideas of success on their heads in . . .
Grace, Kindness, and God's Word Translation
a reappraisal in light of Philip Melanchthon
Recently I wrote on the topic of justification and the choice of the translators of God's Word Translation to translate the Greek word dikaioo as 'approval' instead of the traditional 'justify.' As mentioned there, years ago when I first did an in-depth review of the translation I was put off by choice of . . .
Posted in: theology
unprofitable, dangerous, vain, and doubting...
thoughts on prayer, social media, and the news cycle
Today's prayer of the day in the prayer book For All the Saints comes from Samuel Johnson, an 18th century Anglican. I find it especially fitting for Lent, in general, and the perpetual chatter of today's news and social media, in particular:
O Lord, my Maker and Protector...while it shall please Thee to continue me in . . .
Posted in: lentlifeprayerreflectionstheology
