I suspect we can’t imagine a world without decay. I’m a sci-fi fan and immortality is a common feature in sci-fi books, but it is rarely considered a positive thing. Those who have discovered immortality eventually become weary of that existence, leaving the tale altogether in the end. The sci-fi authors never explore what happens …
At the time of Jesus’ birth, the Jewish priesthood and the temple bureaucracy were utterly corrupt. Many thought the heart of the corruption had been destroyed with the destruction of the Hasmonean dynasty in 37 BC, but as it turned out the Roman puppet dynasty of the Herodians was every bit as bad, and eventually …
The 15th and 16th "Proverbs" of James Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. 14 Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. …
‘Tis the season to be reminded of the poor and oppressed. We hear it every week in the Advent scripture readings at liturgy. We are asked to give financially to a whole host of charities during this season. And inevitably, we hear some harangue about how “we” (the “we” in this harangue may be aimed …
In the end death is one of those things we’ll never fully understand. It is inscrutable. From a theological perspective we can say that death is separation from God. This is one of the main points of the second creation narrative. God says, “If you eat of this tree you will certainly die” (Gen. 2:17). …
In the previous essay I claimed (following the lead of John Climacus) that we can only be saved by embracing our shame. Living in a family that has a multi-generational issue with alcoholism and the shame that can both cause alcoholism and be a result of it, I recognize this advice might sound rather horrible. …
Just Another Jim 