Two chapters from Alister McGrath’s Christian Theology: An Introduction focuses on the doctrines of God and of the Trinity. The first concern addressed is the doctrine of God.  McGrath offers the minor theory that God might not be male and quickly moves forward.  He identifies the “personhood” of God through such philosophers as Tertullian, Spinoza, … Continue reading Can You Say That a Bit Slower This Time? →

The project will reveal the significance of the sacrament of baptism in the work of the church, both regarding the baptismal candidate as well as the catholic church.  Jewish history reveals purification ceremonies that, with the baptism of Jesus, have marked a critical moment of the believer in a bath of both water and Holy … Continue reading Water and Spirit (abstract) →

  Continuing with Allen’s and Springsted’s Philosophy for Understanding Theology, the last two chapters discuss the issues within postmodern philosophy as well as its ethical concerns. A working definition of “postmodern” cannot be framed without first a foundation of what “modern” philosophy is.  Modern philosophy must be objective and universal, and it must have guidelines … Continue reading Watch Out →

In Allen’s and Springsted’s Philosophy for Understanding Theology, chapters 7 through 11 builds upon the established philosophies of Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, and Barth.  They move to modern philosophies as methods for understanding how man assesses his relationship to The Divine. The authors illustrate in the seventh chapter through several approaches:  moderate realism, humanism, hierarchical methodology, … Continue reading Just Under the Wire →

John Donne penned: "No man is an island, Entire of itself, Every man is a piece of the continent, A part of the main…" There is so much negativity in the world and in the community.  There can be so much that can come against us that seeks to tear us down, hurt us, diminish … Continue reading What You Don’t Know →

“For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face.  Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known.”  1 Corinthians 13:12 NRSV. We arrive with knowledge of God, the One, through Aristotle’s methods:  “...as is possible for us in … Continue reading “My thoughts. Your thoughts.” →

"I know I got really, really angry.  And I kinda feel bad about that.  But they really, really pissed me off!  And I was justified to get angry -- I really was justified!  *hands on hips for emphasis*  I don't think I should have to apologize.  Well, I'll just get them a small gift instead. … Continue reading Is It Really So Difficult?? →

Today is a brilliant day!  I have been formally accepted into Seminary at Nashotah House Theological Seminary!  I truly don't know how I got here, nor do I know how it will all go from here forward.  But for right now I want to bask in the joy and the fear!  This picture was taken … Continue reading December 18, 2013 →

Merriam-Webster:  entropy -- a degradation or running down or a trend to disorder. Chaos is a living, breathing, viable being hell-bent on one purpose:  to devour, to consume, to obliterate. We arise in the morning facing a new dawn, a fresh chance, a blank slate.  Clear.  Barrier-less.  Free. Smoke creeps along the edges of the horizon … Continue reading Entropic Deterioration →

It's -19 degrees in Billings, MT, today.  I went outside to shovel a small patch of frozen ground out of the ice and snow for my long-hair dachshund to potty.  As soon as I stepped outside and I breathed the ice-crystal-saturated air, my nose hairs bristled and my eyes stung. It.  Is.  Cold. And my … Continue reading Wisdom Denied →