Christianity & Culture in the 21st century

Departures

2010-06-08T21:06:00.004+01:00

It has become apparent that this blog in its current form has hit a rather big wall. After some reflection, I decided to stop posting here, for the time being at least.However, I have taken up a new project, in a new setting. Related much more closely with my academic work, I have started my more official and more academic blog. This will be happening over here, at http://

this is quote-worthy...

2010-04-21T07:25:00.000+01:00

"The less people have to say, the more zealously they must pro-legein, that is, precede what they should really say with excuses and explanations and adjustments." (Barth, Göttingen Dogmatics);-)

Barth on the exclusive claim of Christ

2010-04-10T09:12:00.002+01:00

"...it is the common denominator which is accepted in every Christian statement, which marks every such statement as binding and urgent, and the ignoring or obscuring of which causes all such statements to lose their specific weight. It is certainly fashioned and proclaimed arbitrarily, and therefore exposed to reproach, if it is related to the position or opinion or intention of the man who

An Afterthought

2010-04-05T21:39:00.003+01:00

So, the Easter weekend has passed, and - shockingly to some - the Pope has not addressed the abuse scandal in the Catholic in any homily. Seriously? The more I saw over the weekend from Rome, the more I started wondering what exactly those waiting for a comment really want him to say...because, this is getting ridiculous. No, it does not make it right, and less awful a crisis and crime - but what

As for an early (almost) April Fool's Day...

2010-03-31T13:32:00.002+01:00

...I suggest this article. It starts as follows:Headline: "Cross Ban in Trafalgar Square"Then continues: "The Mayor of London has ordered a ban on Christian crosses in Trafalgar Square."And then..."OK, you got me, he hasn't. But it wouldn't surprise me if someone alleged it right now, because evidence and reason don't seem to be playing much of a part in such allegations these days."Well done

Hooray for Calvinism...

2010-03-31T13:24:00.002+01:00

...apparently it is back. Although there is a fair bit of cynicism, irony linked with this statement. One blog that I am following said something along the lines of "hey, actually, Calvinism has never been gone, so it can't be back..." - that is probably true. The most hilarious tongue-in-cheek comment is, however, regarding Phyllis Tickle's assessment at the end of this article by Carl Trueman

An interesting perspective...

2010-03-30T09:27:00.002+01:00

...which is successful at not glossing over the terrible aspects of the abuse scandal, yet at the same time calls for fairness in the media and not blind bashing...these are the constructive voices that are needed...

The destiny of young Indians

2010-03-26T14:39:00.002Z

This made me pause in my early afternoon routine. Apparently, the suicide rate amongst Native American tribes is 70 times higher than the national average in the United States, the figure is even higher amongst young people.Only one brief quote from this, which is illustrating the seriousness of this:""Things go wrong that they can't change," Coloradas said, trying to explain the high rate of

"Let no debt remain outstanding" (Romans 13:8)

2010-03-26T08:25:00.003Z

This is interesting and odd and also sad. Apparently, Crystal Cathedral, the famous California megachurch, owes vendors tens of thousands of dollars. I am slightly disturbed by this because not only does it speak against the Romans passage above, but even more generally it is an illustration of how, because a megachurch is struggling, it does not pay those who work for them... and words like

Some historical readings

2010-03-26T06:42:00.002Z

The Vatican has made a lot of their monthly publications covering the official documents from the time available online. When I am saying "a lot" - then we are talking about "yearbooks" from 1865 up to 2007 - each about 550 pages. Also there, and probably of interest to historians are Vatican documents dealing particularly with World War II - there we are talking about 9 volumes, also of the same

Prayer...as seen on the London Tube...

2010-03-24T11:57:00.001Z

Some days, although we cannot pray, a prayerutters itself. So, a woman will lifther head from the sieve of her hands and stareat the minims sung by a tree, a sudden gift.Some nights, although we are faithless, the truthenters our hearts, that small familiar pain;then a man will stand stock-still, hearing his youthin the distant Latin chanting of a train.Pray for us now. 2 Grade I piano

Barth for Breakfast

2010-03-24T09:30:00.002Z

This is Barth speaking on the balance between contextualizing and faithfulness and respect to theology:"In each age and by each responsible theologian the best definitions, combinations and conclusions must always be sought and found afresh in dogmatics with a continually new desire for obedience. But however things may be seen or pondered or stated as a whole or in detail, the standpoints from

On a "lighter" note...

2010-03-23T21:21:00.002Z

Allegedly, the Last Supper was a Super-Size meal. At least on some of the famous paintings depicting that event. Well, I am not sure about the relevance of this for obesity, and the alike - however, I am pretty, pretty sure that Jesus and His disciples did not have fries with the meal - or, for that matter, no "fruit cup or carrot cake, (...) fish, eel, lamb and even pork."

On informed opinion...

2010-03-23T21:04:00.002Z

There has been a certain bill passed in a certain country over the weekend. It has caused a big, rather big stir in certain circles, but it has certainly left me wondering (yes, the repeated "certain" is making a point): just how many people did actually know what they were talking about? I am taking sides here, because it concerns very much both "parties" (no pun intended...). Those who hail it

Reaction Round-Up after Saturday's Pastoral Letter

2010-03-23T19:18:00.002Z

This is interesting, because it sums up the reactions in the media to Pope Benedict XVI's letter addressing the abuse scandal in Ireland. It is also helpful because it gives a "Catholic Church"-perspective on this array of reactions and clarifies some passages that the media by and large missed. Of course, it still holds that one should read the letter here, but nonetheless - a helpful summary of

Barth on being centered on Christ

2010-03-22T10:13:00.002Z

This is interesting..."And how can theology or piety or Church life become christocentric, if it is not so at the very outset? The strainings and the unhealthy zeal and historical and systematic devices by which the moderns have tried to become christocentric bear clear and eloquent testimony that they were not christocentric at the outset and therefore cannot be."

Some backstabbing that I missed out on...

2010-03-20T12:08:00.002Z

Apparently, Hans Küng has an opinion on the abuse scandal in Germany, and he is not afraid to share it. There are helpful and constructive comments needed in this debate. This is neither one of these, but just another chapter on the personal vendetta of Küng vs. the Pope. Honesty (one of the key words in Küng's article) demands that people do not just point fingers and throw stones whenever they

The letter on the abuse scandal...

2010-03-20T11:06:00.002Z

full text in English can be found here.Contextual for Ireland. But with broad application.

Being forced into a corner...

2010-03-20T07:24:00.002Z

In the light of the release of the pastoral letter by Pope Benedict XVI later on today with regards to the recent abuse scandal in the Catholic Church in Ireland (and which will be read against the other recent scandals in that matter as well), I am wondering how many people will not listen to the "read it for yourselves, with an open heart and in a spirit of faith," - because I have a feeling of

Another attempt at getting rid of sin...

2010-03-19T21:44:00.002Z

(the concept of sin, mind you...).This time, it is not limited to "original sin", though, but sin in general. Now, we have this, basically saying that "sin isn't the problem, theology is" - what on earth?A few scattered thoughts...There are some good starting points in the article, I have to admit in fairness. Blaming anything and everything that goes wrong in the world on the mighty three-letter

On truth verification in religion

2010-03-19T20:33:00.003Z

This is an interesting thought in Barth. Any visible sign of repentance, revelation, charity and "good will" are ultimately only the symptoms of the truth contained in the religion.The truth itself depends solely on God's revelation (and, by deductive reasoning, on Jesus).Now, this is an interesting thought and very multifaceted. I am wondering.... it means that Barth was very much convinced of

"Dying for Jesus" - or: "God is also in the small things"

2010-03-18T21:56:00.002Z

A change of pace, for contextual reasons...The end of chapter 8 of the Gospel of Mark speaks about what it means to follow Jesus. It is the "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me from Jesus - which can mean many things.In the big picture, it means to resolve that you are willing to die to self and die for Jesus. It is the "at gunpoint" situation

St Patrick's Day

2010-03-17T14:53:00.002Z

No, I shall refrain from writing in green... instead, from St Patrick's breastplate....Christ be with me, Christ within me,Christ behind me, Christ before me,Christ beside me, Christ to win me,Christ to comfort and restore me.Christ beneath me, Christ above me,Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,Christ in hearts of all that love me,Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

Good News - Big Style

2010-03-15T19:56:00.002Z

In the UK, there is not that much of a trend in big "marketing" of Christian speakers and the alike. Yet, here and there you see it happening, and, I am simply not sure about this.Rob Bell, for example, is on his UK tour at the moment (before heading to Australia and New Zealand...). The closest event is in Swansea, tomorrow night...the schedule for the evening says that the event starts at 8 pm,

The shape of the church to come...

2010-03-15T11:38:00.002Z

...one take (with particular reference to the UK) can be found here.I am not entirely sure whether I really appreciate the "Survival of the Fittest" thesis applied to Christianity, but J John is not the first to argue for it. Indeed, there are passages in Scripture arguing along the lines (Malachi comes to mind and the "launderer's soap"....Revelation and the argument against "lukewarm faith"....

Barth - slightly naughtier than one would expect...

2010-03-14T19:16:00.002Z

Favorite Quote from very recent writing:"It would be well, in view of the “danger” with which the expression (universal salvation) is ever and again seen to be encompassed, to ask for a moment, whether on the whole the “danger” from those theologians who are forever skeptically critical, who are again and again suspiciously questioning, because they are always fundamentally legalistic, and who

Timelines...

2010-03-14T16:39:00.001Z

... something that has been on my mind for some time is the unhealthy mingling of the already and the not yet in the basilieia tou theou. This happens, for some reason, especially in mission-related outreach and, also in contemporary worship songs.I had it, in retrospect, already on my mind back here when I wrote a review of Hillsong United's "A_Cross//The_earth" here and argued that it was

nothing beats cheerful web banners...

2010-03-12T12:45:00.002Z

... like this one.

News from the Vatican

2010-03-11T13:08:00.000Z

This is interesting. It puts some recent developments in perspective. Think of it what you want, but there might be something to this. And no, saying this does not mean I am downplaying all abuse scandals and the alike. In fact, bringing in spiritual forces takes this much more seriously. Look at the article....Chief exorcist says Devil is in Vatican

on today's menu...

2010-03-10T16:02:00.002Z

Cheese. But not just any cheese. Cheese made from Breast Milk. Human Breast Milk.Yummy.And clearly, it goes best with a Riesling - you wouldn't want a Chardonnay to spoil it...See full article here.

As seen earlier today...

2010-03-10T10:45:00.004Z

OK, online polls might not be the most reliable. However, this one should be seen as opportunity and challenge....because if this reflects reality, there seems to be a lot of work to be done.For more information on the Alpha Course, see here.

Academy Awards, number 2

2010-03-07T18:17:00.002Z

Despite the fact that "Up" is definitely my favorite at tonight's Academy Awards, I am also a little bit realistic and think that the wonderful story of the movie might not attract that many critics' votes.I have not seen a number of the nominated best movies (I, unashamedly, blame Avatar for my cynicism about this...), but, I was seriously impressed with "Precious". It is not an easy movie to

Signs that "Up" will win some Academy Awards....

2010-03-07T14:35:00.002Z

Clearly, this."A nationwide referendum is taking place in Switzerland on a proposal to give animals the constitutional right to be represented in court."Dug would agree...(although, he could definitely not say "Oh, please, be my prisoner" anymore...).

Apples and Oranges

2010-03-06T10:30:00.002Z

There is some trivial knowledge for you (apart from the fact that it was surprising that there is indeed a wikipedia page dedicated to that idiom found here)."At least two tongue-in-cheek scientific studies have been conducted on the subject, each of which concluded that apples can be compared to oranges fairly easily and on a low budget and the two fruits are quite similar. " Exactly the kind of

Help, my life collides with a TV show...

2010-03-04T18:57:00.001Z

No further comment necessary, I hope. ;-)

Rowan Williams on the uniqueness of Christ...

2010-03-04T10:09:00.000Z

... interesting. here.He knows his Barth, I suppose ;-).

Rowan Williams against individualism

2010-02-22T10:23:00.002Z

Rowan Williams is spot on in this:"If you live in a world where everything encourages you to struggle for your own individual interest and success, you are encouraged to ignore the reality of other points of view – ultimately, to ignore the cost, or the pain of others. The result may be a world where people are articulate about their own feelings and pretty illiterate about those of others.

a few thoughts on Lent

2010-02-21T21:08:00.002Z

No matter where you are standing on the Christian spectrum, I think it is a good thing to consider. There are vehement critics of it, who condemn it as a sign of the "over-ritualistic" church, and would never even think of observing it. It makes me kind of sad - yes, it is an assigned, "traditional" time - but what is so bad about spending some time in prayer and repentance in preparation for the

Seriously?

2010-02-21T21:01:00.003Z

During this coming week, there is legislation in the UK set to be voted on in the British House of Commons, deciding on whether to start Sex Education in Primary School.This is in fact to ridiculous to think about, but I am simply unsure what any reason in favor of this could be... seriously - why would it strike you as something reasonable to do in primary school? Kids don't know yet what a

Today...

2010-02-17T14:56:00.001Z

...I am remembering that I am dust. And to dust I shall return.

Folks I am hanging out with...

2010-02-16T21:23:00.004Z

...we get to know each other better every day...

New forms of dualism?

2010-02-16T18:55:00.003Z

Some random observations:The more "progressive"-minded human being (and that also includes Christians) tends to say very happily that something "is OK as long as it makes you happy" / "there is no easy true or false" / "no black-and-white thinking, there is a lot of gray in-between" and so on...Despite the fact that, from a Christian point of view at least, there are all kinds of problems with

Measuring Up

2010-02-15T21:23:00.003Z

I came across an article by Nicholas Wolterstorff recently on the topic of the "truth" of Scripture. Despite the fact that there is plenty of helpful material in there (e.g. the redefinition of truth: does it really make sense to say a blessing or commandment is "true" -> hint: no), he concludes on a number of rhetorical questions:"Truth is the fundamental issue to be raised concerning Scripture.

A (very brief) manifesto for reading theologians in their original language

2010-02-15T19:04:00.002Z

Just do it.The End.;-)Seriously, though. There are some very, very strange translations out there. Admittedly, the language of some theologians takes quite some time to get used to, and might even be deemed inaccessible (Barth comes to mind...); nonetheless, there are some faux-pas out there which simply should not happen, as they are simply, well, wrong, but also distort the meaning. A few

Take THAT, all you relativists out there...

2010-02-13T19:37:00.002Z

Another sign that Barth knew what he was talking about: In the context of discussing how religion should be shaped by revelation and not vice versa, Barth says:"If we do not know this [the danger of this reversal], if we argue against them [the proponents of this reversal] in detail and not as a whole, and only from conservatism, i.e., fear, and not from knowledge, then we are lost, no matter how

Oh, the irony of the internet...

2010-02-13T14:37:00.002Z

...as seen earlier while doing research:

14 Volumes of pure poetry...

2010-02-12T20:27:00.001Z

...or: the day I had sent my own edition of Barth's Church Dogmatics sent to me (in German, mind you...). There shall be much rejoicing and dancing...

In the world, but not of it

2010-02-10T18:46:00.002Z

Of the many tensions that we are dealing in the Christian life, this is one of those that receives something of a special spot, because it is introduced in John's Gospel by Jesus Himself in John 17. By any standard, this speaks against a withdrawal in cozy Christian subcultures, and asks for engagement with the world around us.Karl Barth had something to say to this point in his own way, speaking

Do Protestant Churches need a Catechism?

2010-02-10T11:31:00.002Z

The question seems daft at first, but maybe there is something to it. Of course, there are all kinds of statements of faith out there, but there are quite a few denominations and churches out there which do not adhere to this kind of idea at all.The idea crossed my screen just yesterday here. From my own limited perspective, the problem is that without such a document or some kind of statement of

Abuse Scandal in Catholic Church in Germany

2010-02-08T18:06:00.002Z

After Ireland not too long ago (and more examples), there is now an abuse scandal hitting the German Catholic Church (a summary so far can be found here). The conflict itself is appalling, and makes you grieve. The question that a number of church critics have raised is whether the celibacy required by Catholic Priests and the strict sexual moral teaching is in part responsible for this. I have

Problem Solving 101

2010-02-06T15:06:00.000Z

If you can't go forward...just mail it back... ;-)easy

A Reason why Pope Benedict XVI might be called an emergent theologian

2010-02-05T19:20:00.002Z

Yes, you read correctly.Although there might be raised eyebrows all over the place for such a statement, one of the common signifiers of a "hip", "emergent" theologian "fit" for the 21st century is, as it is commonly argued, being a culture-shaper, rather than somebody simply responding to changes in culture and society. Being proactive, rather than reactive, if you so will. Well, listen to these

Atheist preachers...

2010-02-05T13:12:00.002Z

...can keep on working in the church. At least in this case from the Netherlands. My favorite part: he himself says: "If my view is allowed, then there’s something wrong with the foundations of the church." (taken from here). I suppose this would be funny, if it wasn't kind of sad.

Oxymoronic?

2010-02-05T12:28:00.002Z

Can you say "prayer can touch our hearts with humility" and "I'm praying a lot these days" in the same speech? I do at least see a few problems with that approach - maybe some more prayers are needed, but they should not be talked about?

On the limits of tolerance...

2010-02-04T19:36:00.002Z

The whole question of tolerance has been on my mind ever since somebody proclaimed the motto "everyone is welcome here" in my presence. Ever since my supervisor set out to prove (very successfully, in my opinion) that John Hick's pluralism is just another form of exclusivism in disguise, I have grown very much suspicious of this on a more intellectual level.The most recent case of this is what

Casket Super-Bowl ads...

2010-02-04T19:12:00.002Z

I am a little bit unsure how to interpret this: An LA megachurch pastor has come up with a suggestion for a Dorritos Super-Bowl ad competition. Allegedly, the video is rather successful and one of the finalists in the competition.I leave up to you, dear readers, to watch the video over here (some might be offended by this, so I am not incorporating it in the post itself). What made me stumble

Wounded Healers...

2010-02-04T19:01:00.002Z

Occasionally, you find real gems on the web. This is one of them. Here, Ann M Weatherley-Barton, in an article entitled "The Wounded Healer" gives an interesting perspective on how to approach crisis situations. The applicability of the article covers a wide range and was a highly insightful piece. Here is the first paragraph..."Understanding and valuing self does not come in a vacuum but through

Why I haven't been blogging...

2010-02-04T18:59:00.001Z

...I really needed a break. ;-)However, I should be back to some more regular blogging as of - now.

Steven Curtis Chapman - "Beauty Will Rise"

2009-11-04T16:56:00.002Z

For the moment, while I am still mesmerized by the sheer depth and beauty of Steven Curtis Chapman's new album, "Beauty Will Rise", here for the moment only the lyrics to the title song, a review soon to follow.It was the day the world went wrongI screamed 'till my voice was goneAnd watched through the tears asEverything came crashing downSlowly panic turns to painAs we awake to what remainsAnd

pondering a new series...

2009-10-28T21:56:00.002Z

...this time: "we are soooo past this Christian stuff - OR: whatever happened to that beloved saying from the Bible and how did we forget it?"first up:"If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." (John 8:7)

Theology without faith is a mere intellectual exercise...

2009-10-27T09:38:00.002Z

Theology without faith is a mere intellectual exercise"“Faith is above all an individual and intimate encounter with Jesus; it means experiencing His closeness, His friendship and His love.” " THAT was helpful. (watch the video by clicking on the link...)

Theology - quo vadis?

2009-10-20T21:56:00.001+01:00

The last few weeks have been a character-building experience. It’s been now more or less exactly five weeks since I arrived in Bristol, 5 weeks that I have spent doing nothing but reading and writing and thinking. I have read some of the giants of theology of the last two hundred years, reflected some more, and as the leaves are slowly turning, I have also become much more aware that a new period

...and in other news...

2009-10-15T16:21:00.002+01:00

my personal favorite:apparently there is a word for this. Well, thankfully, my Bible is signeth by Jesus Himself...

hmmm.... This is interesting...Come, Lord Jesus...

2009-10-12T18:30:00.003+01:00

"I was a guest musician at a church in Winnipeg, engaged in the familiar liturgies of a pre-service prayer huddle. One person prayed for the congregation's safety in inclement weather, another for the technical aspects of the service, and a third kindly remembered my family back home. When my turn came, I must have used a phrase like, "God, we invite you here among us." I clearly recall the

What if Britney Spears wrote a Theology PhD...

2009-10-11T19:06:00.003+01:00

I apologize for this in advance, but there are rumors that PhD Students do not have a sense of humor.... this started as a lighthearted joke, but here we go, I just had a few minutes to spare on a Sunday afternoon . Possible (Theology and Biblical Studies) PhD theses by Britney Spears:…Baby (none) more time… - The supremacy of Christ in the Epistle to the Hebrews(You Drive Me) Crazy… - Towards a

"The spirits that I called..."

2009-10-09T18:35:00.002+01:00

In a well-known German ballad, a sorcerer's apprentice summons spirits. However, things go wrong, and he doesn't know how to tame them anymore.This is what I felt reminded of today, when news first hit the wires that, to the surprise of many, President Obama was named recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize this year. Since then, news were a bit all over the place (and observing a facebook newsfeed

Von Balthasar on a definition of religion

2009-09-26T13:14:00.006+01:00

"The attempt to reduce religion to ethics, love of God and personal love for Christ to love of neighbor, contradicts so radically the Church's entire canon of sancticity that one would have to contrast it sharply with the tradition and dub it, say, "Neocatholicism".(The Moment of Christian Witness, 149)I suppose you can say the same about non-Catholics...

"The Way of the Christian Academic"

2009-09-26T12:33:00.005+01:00

This just crossed my screen (again) and was extremely helpful in a lot of ways at the brink of a new academic adventure..."(...) To be blunt, the ability to set up your own blog site and having nothing better to do with your time than warble on incessantly about how clever you are and how idiotic are all those with whom you disagree—well, that does not actually make you eligible to be called a

David Crowder Band - "Church Music" - A Review

2009-09-23T19:02:00.001+01:00

What better way to return to regular blogging than with a "hot off the press" CD review? Well, the album that was released this week is the new David Crowder Band record, "Church Music." Especially because of the single "Shadows", I was quite looking forward to the record, being reminiscent of "Remedy" and the thoughts that I posted on the song "Remedy" here.Well, I gave the record a few good

Reading Karl Rahner

2009-09-23T17:35:00.003+01:00

Reading Rahner is fun. It is particularly fascinating that, if you miss the last paragraph, you are getting a completely different message than when you read it completely. So for example in an article entitled "Jesus Christ in the non-Christian religions" (Theological Investigations, XVII).His main point is to Jesus Christ can also be revealed in non-Christian religions, based on the

an accident waiting to happen...

2009-09-23T17:29:00.002+01:00

... we will see what people will make out of this, shall we? Swedish TV: Vatican knew about Holocaust-denier STOCKHOLM – A Swedish TV program to be aired Wednesday claims that top Vatican officials knew that an ultraconservative British bishop was a Holocaust-denier when his excommunication was lifted in

...after the sabbatical...

2009-09-21T15:32:00.000+01:00

...more regular posting will resume, eventually. ;-)

New Upcoming Papal Encyclical Letter

2009-06-29T03:21:00.001+01:00

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=16400"...The encyclical, in fact, is likely to say that “openness to life is at the core of every true development,” and regarding the ambiguous policies aimed at “reducing the need for abortion” by means of other social policies, the Pope warns that “if personal and social sensibility toward the welcoming of a new life is lost, even other forms of

Jackson and no end...

2009-06-29T03:12:00.002+01:00

this is quite amazing, really, he manged to be top of the headlines for three days... for one interesting take on it: See here.

Michael Jackson has passed away...

2009-06-26T01:15:00.002+01:00

...one of the most controversial figures of the last decades has died earlier today in a hospital in Los Angeles. One can think of him many, many things, yet, like not that many other mainstream musicians, he has always been outspoken about matters of injustice, questions of race, poverty and social inequalities. Certainly, he has had conflicts aplenty of his own, yet he has not failed to provoke

Grace...

2009-06-25T00:40:00.002+01:00

...and us..."Cry Out To Jesus" (Third Day)To everyone who's lost someone they loveLong before it was their timeYou feel like the days you had were not enoughWhen you said goodbyeAnd to all of the people with burdens and painsKeeping you back from your lifeYou believe that there's nothing and there is no oneWho can make it rightThere is hope for the helplessRest for the wearyLove for the broken

Sanford, Sanford, Stamford, Stanford and Stanford

2009-06-25T00:05:00.002+01:00

Now regarding Governor Sanford from South Carolina (as opposed to Sanford, FL, as opposed to Stamford, CT, or the case of the financial scandal surrounding Mr Stanford from TX, not to mention Stanford the university – sheesh...somebody seriously ran out of names...).So, anyhow. Governor Sanford of South Carolina admitted today to having an affair. The basic storyline is that everyone thought he

Grace...

2009-06-23T11:17:00.000+01:00

...and us...(...) I never really put my finger on it that it was anxiety. I didn't know what it was. I tried everything in the world to try to fix it—I tried drinking more water, not eating or eating too much before shows, all these different things. And in the long run, I just realized that it was anxiety and it was something that was outside of my control. It didn't happen every time; it was

Grace...

2009-06-22T11:37:00.000+01:00

...and God...Paul writes..."...To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my

Grace...

2009-06-21T11:43:00.001+01:00

...and us..."Come, ye sinners, poor and needy..."Come, ye sinners, poor and needy,Weak and wounded, sick and sore;Jesus ready stands to save you,Full of pity, love and power.Come, ye thirsty, come and welcome,God’s free bounty glorify;True belief and true repentance,Every grace that brings you nigh.Come, ye weary, heavy laden,Lost and ruined by the fall;If you tarry 'till you’re better,You will

"Ordinary Time"

2009-06-21T02:03:00.003+01:00

With many changes lying ahead for me, it is only ironic that the liturgical year returns tomorrow to "Ordinary Time.""Ordinary Time" also moves me to call for an "extra-ordinary" theme. Throughout this week, I want to target the topic of grace in a number of ways, through lyrics of songs, Scripture passages, and whatsoever else comes to mind.This is, finally, also my 300th post. Some 3300

witness without limits? some thoughts on the Yemen kidnappings

2009-06-20T19:54:00.004+01:00

Disclaimer: this does not have general conclusions and should in no way to be understood as trying to make an absolute argument...I am also not sure at all about some of the implications, this is, like many other things on the blog, thoughts in progress...Some story that has not made big headlines in the US, but has received much more attention is the story of a kidnapping of a total of 9

Song of the Day

2009-06-19T01:59:00.002+01:00

Bebo Norman - Pull me OutTell me now, when does this start feelingLike I understand everything I’m dealing withFirst I was young, now it’s all just happeningAnd what about the way I said thatMade you turn around and shake your headLike I don’t even know what I’m asking forThis could be all about just letting goOr this could be all about just holding onI can’t get my feet off of the groundI want

"Decoding God's Changing Moods" - Some reflections...

2009-06-18T18:20:00.002+01:00

A friend pointed me to an article in TIME magazine called "Decoding God's Changing Moods." It is a rather intriguing article dealing with a number of questions simultaneously, and the final sentence, "At least we can quit asking whether Islam — or Judaism or any other religion — is a religion of peace. The answer is no. And yes. It says so in the Bible, and in the Koran," kind of gives the overal

Song of the Day

2009-06-14T00:48:00.002+01:00

"Things We Leave Behind" (Michael Card)(...)'Cause freedom's not found in the things that we own,It's the power to do what is right.With Jesus, our only posession,then, giving becomes our delightWe can't imagine the freedom we findfrom the things we leave behind.(...)

Quote of the Day

2009-06-13T17:34:00.001+01:00

...as heard on EWTN just now:"Truth without love is cruelty,and love without truth is hypocrisy."...interesting...

"Oh, gun, I praise you.."

2009-06-05T14:39:00.002+01:00

This just crossed my screen:Pastor Organizes Gun Celebration at ChurchA pastor in Kentucky is redefining the tradition of wearing your Sunday best to services by encouraging his congregation to strap on holsters and bring their weapons to church.Pastor Ken Pagano has organized an "Open Carry Celebration" in late June where he encourages members of his Christian church to bring their handguns to

"they are all going to hell" - or: the one time when I am going on an evening walk...

2009-06-05T01:22:00.003+01:00

So, actually, I was planning to post a few thoughts on Barack Obama's speech in Cairo today. However, I had the (apparently dangerous) idea to go for a brief evening walk, which resulted in a conversation about the state of Christianity in the world with a stranger on the street. Now, here is the outcome of that conversation (which was rather one-sided, because some people apparently do not need

"A_Cross // the_earth: Tear Down the Walls" - A review of the new album by Hillsong United

2009-06-03T22:38:00.003+01:00

So, after I started this post yesterday and lost all of my text halfway through because of a browser shutting down, I am starting this review again.Hillsong United, the "younger folks" at Hillsong Church Australia released a new album last week which is their first album release since 2007 (with the exception of a "Best Of" last year). It is also the first album that is recorded live since 2006 (

there are a few things that make me upset...

2009-06-02T21:14:00.001+01:00

.... this is one of them...more on it later.

"Loyal Despair"

2009-06-02T00:43:00.002+01:00

I am currently reading Michael Card's (rather old, but almost a classic by now) character study of Peter called "A Fragile Stone." There is some fascinating and intriguing material in this book that engages with all of the key passages in the New Testament that give a hint of the character of Peter, yet one of these chapters has particularly stuck with me for the time being. This is the passage

Well, how about this for attractive offers...?

2009-05-29T14:00:00.002+01:00

from amazon.com, the deal of the day...tasty! ;-) (i apologize, the link is not clickable...it would be like being part of a crime if it was...).

failed projects that do not necessarily have to reach the point of failure...

2009-05-29T01:02:00.002+01:00

(well, how about that for a confusing title for a post).sometimes, God puts these things in your way that challenges something that you have said or done in the recent past and then seems to ask: "well, this is a bit of a bold statement there, sven, what if I give this a twist, will you still stick with your opinion?" (please note that God addresses me with my first name...;-) ). Well, anyway,

little bit of a comic day...

2009-05-29T00:50:00.002+01:00

How about this one? (the great part about this - just as the previous one - is that there is quite a bit of truth about it...).

on the irony of new American politics...

2009-05-28T22:59:00.002+01:00

...the same people who heavily criticized George W. Bush's support from the "religious right" and his faith-based politics are now trying to label Barack Obama as public theologian, Niebuhrian, equipped with Catholic sensibility, "man of virtue" - I find that at least strange...

on pick-and-choose Christianity

2009-05-28T22:01:00.001+01:00

Well, how about that for timing...?!?! ;-)

"well, that doesn't work..."

2009-05-28T01:10:00.003+01:00

So, for a whole reason of coincidences, something just crossed my TV screen - Chrislam in Nigeria. No, no typo here - Chrislam. Chrislam is the ultimate blend of Christianity and Islam, recognizes both the Qu'ran and the Bible as Scripture, and is very much on the rise in Islam. While I thought that the program that I saw on the PBS newshour just now pointed to something new, some quick google

a failed project

2009-05-26T00:26:00.002+01:00

"Because we have shared the Living Bread,we cannot remain the same.Ask much of us,expect much from us,enable much by us,encourage many through us."This was Commencement Weekend at Yale. While there is much to reflect on, there are two instances during the morning communion service today that I stumbled upon and I am, to put it mildly, uncertain and puzzled about.The first is this passage taken

on the Irish abuse report...

2009-05-25T11:34:00.002+01:00

A report was published last week about shockingly far-reaching abuse within the Catholic Church in Ireland over decades. The document itself reads like nightmare chronicles, detail after detail being shocking, saddening, seeminlgy unredeemable.In a column in the Irish Times today, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin takes a strong stance against the issue. Sure, it is only one voice. Sure, even

on the value of work

2009-05-23T23:16:00.002+01:00

The following came out of a conversation that I had with a friend of mine, and i thought it would be suitable to be posted here as well....obviously this is not complete, but only some thoughts....I thought about the issue of the value of work when I saw the cleaning personnel at Heathrow cleaning toilets, and I reflected on it, on and off, throughout the week (while I exposed myself to the