The Carpenter and the Cross
Why was Jesus born the son of a carpenter, to work as a carpenter (Mt 13:55; Mk 6:3)? Some would respond that before the Son of God entered his public ministry he needed to work, and carpentry provided a living…
Category Reformation21
Coronavirus and the Church: Compliant, or Uncreative?
It has been surprising to see the speed with which the churches have shut down public operations and shifted their ministries online. Having this online capacity is a wonderful provision during an epidemic, one unavailable to previous generations. Livestreaming allows…
Giveaway: Portrait of a Prophet
A lot has happened in the past three weeks, but the giveaways continue on. Congratulations to Carl in Oscoda, Michigan, and Jan in Wooster, Ohio, for winning the PCRT Anthology! We now have two copies of Martyn Cowan’s Portrait of a Prophet: Lessons…
Does Christianity Have an Answer?
Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing; heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O Lord—how long? — Psalm 6:2, 3 Anglican scholar…
Why Can’t I Stop Worrying?
I would not describe myself as someone prone to anxiety or worry. I’ve never had a panic attack, and I prefer to insulate myself from trending news and media. However, in the past couple of weeks I have found myself…
No Social Distance in Heaven
My wife and I were watching a program on Netflix the other night (I won’t say what it was; it’s too embarrassing). I was struck by my own reaction, while watching the program, to the interaction between characters on the…
In the Pandemic, Give Thanks…
In Paul’s first epistle to the Thessalonians, the Lord commands us, saying, “In all things, give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). As I write these words right in the…
Home Visitation: The Worst of Times, the Best of Times
It’s clearly the worst of times. Thousands dying, quarantine tightening, unemployment rising, churches closing – this is the best definition of “worst” that the world has seen for decades. That said, it is also the best of times, at least…
Joy for the Anxious
Anxiety presents a real struggle for many in the United States. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, “Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age…
Truth vs. Consensus
Postmodernism has produced an heir, and its name is Consensus. Four years ago, the Oxford Dictionary announced that “post-truth” was its word of the year. Post-truth refers to our contemporary sense of justice, in which objective reality and facts bow…