Bože! A Grace Catholic Project
Archive for June, 2009
Quoi Neuf
If you’re wondering where I’ve been (and will be at least for another week) – I’ve been swamped with a french course. I’ve got sloshy sounds, and funky verb forms swirling about in the mind making me want to drink, and drink HARD! Normal service will resume shortly – that is in about five more [...]
No Pain No Gain
“Liberal” churches may be sabotaging themselves by reducing the commitment of their members – so suggests a recent report in New Scientist. The persecution of early Christians may have had a dramatic effect on the spread of Christianity because the sacrifices of martyrs and confessors instilled in others the idea of sincerity: “few would willingly [...]
It’s All In The Numbers
This morning’s rounds turned up two curious pieces of news. Firstly, FaithLab reports that Daniel Akin, the president of the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary wants Baptists to have more babies – in order to numerically overwhelm the growing Muslim population in the US. Europe – he suggests, will be taken over by “the Muslims” without [...]
Theology UP While Business Is Going Down
I’ve seen a few articles lately (such as this one) on the rise of interest in religious activity, and theological education attributed to the economic downturn. The reasons appear to be varied – one is that people have been forced to stop – look around them, and consider the possibility that their priorities were rather [...]
Fasting – Solidarity With Others
Earlier this week I posted on Feasts – and the converstaion took an interesting and unexpected direction to discuss fasting and the customary fasting periods before Pascha, and other feast days. I’ve been pondering this thread of the conversation ever since, been doing some reading too. It struck me this morning that many (if not [...]
And On The Other Hand. . . .
Faithlab is a great site that often offers new angles, and different lines of inspiration. Today David Adams posts the “Lay People List” – twenty points “minister types” need to know about the laity. It’s worth a read – and indeed a giggle or two – especially in our context where small communities are the [...]
Feasts
Only a few days now until Pentecost but here’s the question: what does a “feast” mean to you? Any feast – not just Pascha and Pentecost, Theophany and Transfiguration – but any feast, the patronal feast of your community, your name day – how do feasts “fit” into your experience of the faith? I ask [...]