The movement started when Christianity could be legally practiced in the Roman Empire. Those in serious pursuit of a way of life that could be called “Christian” left their towns and cities and headed to remote places to live alone or in small groups. The most notable were the people… Read More »Becoming Fire
Over the last several decades, I’ve studied the great religious traditions of the world. I’ve taught courses on World Religions and participated in services, rituals, and ceremonies from many of these beautiful traditions. While the formal study of religion is interesting to me, what I find most engaging is when… Read More »What I’ve Learned from Muslim Neighbors
It’s an old Eastern European custom. I’m not sure if it’s still practiced in Slavic countries today, but it’s something we did when I was young. On the day after Easter, Bright Monday, men and boys would splash, sprinkle, or squirt water on unsuspecting women while announcing, “Christ is risen!” … Read More »Fifty Days: To Life!
The ancient story is retold each year throughout the world. On the first day of the week, the women went before dawn to the place where they laid his body. Arriving at the tomb, they found the stone rolled away. His body was gone. Scholars tell us that the first… Read More »Making Sense of the Resurrection
Crucifixion: truly a brutal, violent way to kill another human being. A person hangs naked on a cross with lungs filling with fluid, struggling to breathe, and then succumbing after hours of struggle to the inevitable last gasp and death. All the while, one’s suffering is a public spectacle. Such… Read More »Make Sense of the Crucifixion of Jesus
I have several friends who no longer call themselves “Christian.” It’s not that they’ve lost their faith or given up on God or something like that. Instead, they don’t want to be associated with the narrow-minded, judgmental folks who present themselves as the “true Christians” of today. (You know the… Read More »The Christianity of Jesus
The Bible is filled with stories that convey important lessons about how to live. I think we often miss the best lessons in Biblical stories and have gravitated toward convenient conclusions from these stories. An outstanding example of this is a story I learned in my childhood from the Hebrew… Read More »Ancient Wisdom
I recently met the parents of a good friend. I enjoyed spending time with them, sharing a meal, and witnessing the joy they shared as a couple. I’m not sure how long they’ve been married but I’d guess it’s been at least fifty years. Clearly, their marriage is a successful… Read More »Success Stories
