Postcards from Palookaville

A year or so back I was berated by one of the hotter sort of web-Protestants for failing to mention in a Ref21 article that sinful apostasy is the only significant reason why anyone would leave evangelicalism for Roman Catholicism. Those satisfied that such an approach is adequate will presumably...

A Ref21 reader has asked if I have any thoughts on lectio divina , a rather pretentious term for contemplative Bible reading, whether individual or in a group. A description of what it typically entails can be found here . On the positive side, it is a good thing to read scripture thoughtfully and...

A Ref21 reader has asked if I have any thoughts on lectio divina , a rather pretentious term for contemplative Bible reading, whether individual or in a group. A description of what it typically entails can be found here . On the positive side, it is a good thing to read scripture thoughtfully and...

A couple of things came to my attention over the weekend. The first is the new devotional from Thomas Nelson. It is difficult to see exactly what this represents. I am somewhat of the old school `Real men don't read Jane Austen' variety, preferring Hardy and Conrad, though I can appreciate what a...

A couple of things came to my attention over the weekend. The first is the new devotional from Thomas Nelson. It is difficult to see exactly what this represents. I am somewhat of the old school `Real men don't read Jane Austen' variety, preferring Hardy and Conrad, though I can appreciate what a...

Church history has thrown up some sharp wits with a remarkable facility for one-line putdowns. Athanasius had his moments. Newman was surely one of the masters. But Il Padrino has to be Doc Martin, as polemically robust as the lace-up boots that bear his name. A friend just brought this internet...

Church history has thrown up some sharp wits with a remarkable facility for one-line putdowns. Athanasius had his moments. Newman was surely one of the masters. But Il Padrino has to be Doc Martin, as polemically robust as the lace-up boots that bear his name. A friend just brought this internet...

I am an avid reader and longtime subscriber to the British conservative political magazine, The Spectator . It contains some the best writing and, with a regular column by Rod Liddle, the lefty who writes like a righty, what is there not to love? Matthew Parris is also one of the outstanding...

I am an avid reader and longtime subscriber to the British conservative political magazine, The Spectator . It contains some the best writing and, with a regular column by Rod Liddle, the lefty who writes like a righty, what is there not to love? Matthew Parris is also one of the outstanding...

Robert Kolb's new book, Luther and the Stories of God , is about to be released. It is an excellent study of Luther's approach to scripture with special reference both to his preaching and the ways in which he interacted with, and deployed, biblical narrative as a means of shaping the lives and...