Safe Haven

I was observing the special exhibit of the Renaissance master Barocci, and I happened to be in the room with the painting commemorating the Lord's burial. It's very quiet in art galleries; if someone speaks, everyone notices. A kid who must've been all of 3 years old exclaimed, "Why is He naked?" I imagine his dad answered with, "Well, because He died." I didn't hear that part. But the next thing the boy said is a question to shake up the world: "Why did He die?" It's almost better to ask this and answer it before affirming that Jesus did die, and rise again on the third day. Because there's only one right answer, and it's bigger than all the no doubt significant debates we could have about the nature of the Atonement: Because He loves us. Frankly, if you don't start and end here, it doesn't matter what else you say. I pray the man answered well, and that whatever I do, I learn to answer most questions about fait...

This is not some elusive quest for certitude. And your desire for historical and theological continuity is admirable, and shared by all. In fact, the Reformed are surprised to learn that Lutherans appreciate the Church fathers more than they do. [Yes. Pfft, I'm not impressed.--ed.] The question is not whether threads of continuity can be identified from one's own confessional position; they surely can. The question is, "What is the means by which continuity was established, and identified going forward?" The Church fathers themselves are not a norm in themselves; as you and countless have pointed out, they are all over the place, depending on what thing is under discussion. But they are useful, for this very purpose: they tell us how to find the Church. We can talk about what that Church believed, and who among us is the true continuation of that faith only after we identify how the Church marked herself out. This is what Stellman meant when he said (echoing Cross) t...

As important as the truths of faith are, and vital as it may be to try to reclaim our culture such as it is, sometimes we are reminded that people just don't know much. Even if they darken the conscience by sin, people often need friendship and acceptance as a basis for coming to terms with their need before God. On the other hand, some people have used this as a substitute for preaching the gospel, or they believe the two things are synonymous. They are not. Still others value comity so highly that they fail to hold anything at all in the end. They don't know any truth more important than the warm feelings they cherish. They are indeed pleasant. Yet I don't think the yet to be redeemed would say, "Feel free to smile and hold my hand on the way to Hell." Things to think about. But that reality in the extreme is why I appreciate the work being done at Called to Communion so much. They are not sheep-stealers or Catholic triumphalists; they are actually fighti...

5 Thoughts Partially Inspired By The Idiocy Of Our Pop Culture 5. No, it's not better to get divorced. Whoever came up with that is as dumb as they look. Looking in your fictional direction, Dr. Owen Hunt. 4. No matter how many times you tell us it's OK, homosexual practice is not OK. Sorry. 3. Ordinary people, even those far less spiritual than me, don't have sex that much. 2. If you commit adultery, you're still guilty after your wife dies. And no, dementia is not a free pass. 1. It's still a baby, and you're still a murderer. It's not a political question; it's a moral one. (This post inspired by the TV drama, 'Grey's Anatomy,' which I still love.)

The self-proclaimed "#1 career blog" was basically telling women to stay away from ENFP men, because we're too flighty, and won't make any money. Well, frankly, when you're 40, angry, and childless because you used the feminist lies as an excuse to be a jerk...I'll say a prayer for you. The proprietor is married somehow. Well, she looked attractive. You can get away with a lot if you're attractive. Personally, I like myself. As a public service, I thought I would offer a few thoughts on what I know about men, and how they think. (Warning: Some of this might be brutal.) 1. You are not as beautiful as you think you are. Catching his eye doesn't mean squat, in the end. You have to have something else about you that he likes. Otherwise, you're just a hot chick who thinks too much of herself, most likely. Ladies, be nice to the beautiful girls; it really is a curse. 2. Talk less, and listen more. There is no greater mistake than this. If a man sen...

5 Thoughts Worth Remembering 5. No, the center of Christianity is not a book, but a Person. Even that inerrant witness to Him is but a product of the community tasked with bearing witness to Jesus. The Church existed for 20 years before a single letter of the New Testament was penned. 4. "And He will raise you up/And he will raise you up/And he will raise you up/On the last day." 3. "How He watches o'er his loved ones/Died to call them all his own." 2. "I will not boast in anything/No gifts, no powers, no wisdom/But I will boast in Jesus Christ/His death and resurrection." 1. Worthy of meditation: "And in His Name, all oppression shall cease."

That's what our New Testament actually says to us Gentiles. Here's Ephesians 2:11-22 (verse 11 tells you how to read it): Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called the uncircumcision by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands -- 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near in the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby bringing the hostility to an end. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who wer...

5 Thoughts For Today 5. Finally, 'The Game' is here. It'll be a great game, certainly. Confession: I don't like college football that much. 4. Netflix is awesome. Too awesome. 3. I plugged in the headset, turned off my external speakers, and the music still flowed. #ThanksDeb #Imgonnabefamous. 2. Tamia Washington-Hill's (Tamia) version of "Careless Whisper" is outstanding. I'll bet George Michael bought that single. On the other hand, Tamia's easily the best kept secret in pop music for darn near 20 years now. 1. Forgiveness.

5 Thoughts For Today, Andrew Preslar Edition 5. If I were slightly older, smarter, ex-Anglican, and Southern, I'd be Andrew Preslar. 4. Hey Andrew, thanks for the free advertising! 3. We totally agree on Gus Johnson. 2. We emphatically agree on Greg Maddux. (Note: 355-354. Eat it, Clemens.) 1. I promise I'm in harmony with with the social teaching. I just like to hear people out first. I'm allergic to dismissal and ad hominem.