Of the many theological temptations that can plague the theologian, grandiosity may be one of the most subtle. Grandiosity is that aspect of fleshliness that allows one to find their identity in what they do – and it is used as a means to create a self that is greater, stronger and solidified in a [...]
Archive for April, 2009
Theological Temptations: Grandiosity
Posted in Christian Life, Theology on April 29, 2009 | 6 Comments »
Christology: A Guide for the Perplexed
Posted in Uncategorized on April 28, 2009 | 5 Comments »
In my quest for introductory volumes for use in seminary classrooms I have come across t&t clark’s “Guide for the Perplexed” series. From what I can tell thus far I really like the line. It attempts to walk the balance of being introductory without being simplistic, and it seems to me that is exactly what [...]
Gregory of Nyssa and the Grasp of Faith: Part 2
Posted in Book Reviews on April 23, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Laird, in a helpful comment, suggests that the “brand” of mysticism of which Gregory is a part (or which he began) was a mysticism of faith. As neo-platonic as Gregory sounds (and certainly is to some degree), Laird helpful notes that, “Gregory’s concerns for development and transformation as a result of union, in which the [...]
The “Promise” of Systematic Theology
Posted in John Webster, Theology on April 22, 2009 | 4 Comments »
‘Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven’ (Matt. 16:17). Christian systematic theology takes place in the wake of that breathtaking dominical announcement. Yet it remains an earthly, flesh and blood enterprise, far indeed from the theology of the blessed, communicated to the perfected saints by the [...]
Being Evangelical
Posted in Evangelicalism on April 21, 2009 | 18 Comments »
It seems that the topic of evangelicalism and its somewhat fluid demarcations have struck a cord with many of our visitors, so I wanted to re-address the issue from a different perspective. James’ post asked questions concerning the lowest common denominator of evangelicalism, and from that, we’ve had several interesting issues raised. He decided to [...]
Gregory of Nyssa and the Grasp of Faith: Part 1
Posted in Book Reviews, History, Spiritual Formation, Theosis, tagged faith, Theosis on April 16, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
For the following couple of posts, I will be looking at the issue of faith in Gregory of Nyssa by reviewing a book by Martin Laird entitled: Gregory of Nyssa and the Grasp of Faith: Union, Knowledge and Divine Presence (Oxford University Press, 2004).
Laird discusses Nyssa’s view of the mind, that its energies are often [...]
The Trinity: A Guide for the Perplexed
Posted in Book Reviews, Trinity on April 13, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
As many of you will know, I have been on the search for a good introductory book on the Trinity for use in a seminary classroom. Towards this end, T&T Clark graciously sent me a review copy of Paul M. Collins’ volume, The Trinity: A Guide for the Perplexed. I should say at the outset that I [...]
Jesus the Gift of Love
Posted in Uncategorized on April 10, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Crucified outside the walls of Jerusalem
the city of God,
excommunicated
by the legal representatives of God,
damned as a blasphemer
(a clear sign that he was not God);
no comeliness nor beauty in him,
a man of sorrow familiar with suffering,
crushed for our sins,
the sacrificed lamb of God.
He gave his life,
he gave us life,
opening up the dams of living waters
waiting to [...]
Reactions » Rembrandt van Rijn, “Monk Reading”
Posted in Art, Reactions on April 7, 2009 | 2 Comments »
Rembrandt van Rijn (1661): Oil on Canvas, Sinebrychoff Museum, Helsinki
What does Rembrandt’s use of light invite us to consider about the Scriptures over which we too pour our attention (their nature and our reading of them)?
Jonathan Edwards and the Beatific
Posted in Uncategorized on April 6, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
I mentioned my trip down to Glasgow for the Jonathan Edwards and Scotland Conference, and Kent suggested I say something here about the paper I read. My paper was titled: “‘A Happifying Sight’: Jonathan Edwards and the Beatific.” In it, I held Edwards’ view of the beatific vision in contrast to John Owen and Francis [...]
And then you (a prayer)
Posted in Prayers on April 3, 2009 | 1 Comment »
We arrange our lives as best we can, to keep your holiness at bay,
with our pieties,
our doctrines,
our liturgies,
our moralities,
our secret ideologies,
Safe, virtuous, settled.
And then you -
you and your dreams,
you and your visions,
you and your purposes,
you and your commands,
you and our neighbors.
We find your holiness not at [...]
Jonathan Edwards and Scotland Conference
Posted in Jonathan Edwards on April 1, 2009 | 1 Comment »
I have just returned from Glasgow, Scotland after attending the two day “Jonathan Edwards and Scotland Conference.” The conference was put on by both Glasgow University as well as the Jonathan Edwards Center at Yale University. It is always interesting hearing from different interest areas involved with Edwards studies. Jonathan Edwards is one of the [...]
