tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53621252012-01-04T02:52:37.160-08:00The blog of a lutheran pastor, writer, and political animal.Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.comBlogger13751100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-59348950938370996802011-12-31T09:54:00.000-08:002011-12-31T09:58:54.796-08:00

I've added two new link to my blog roll. The first isLike a Lutheran the blog of another new Lutheran pastor to New Jersey. Also, I am vaguely related to her husband. The second is Magdalene's Egg, a very witty blog by a Pastor in Romania.Additionally, I've removed a few links that hadn't been updated for a long time.Peace,The Management

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-38324888223786154312011-12-23T11:43:00.000-08:002011-12-23T14:00:40.209-08:00

I just received a very important follow-up question about my seminary debt. The question was: “How much of that debt was incurred because of seminary? How much from college? And how much from other graduate courses of study?”While I have 80,000 dollars worth of student debt only 66,125 was incurred by my time at LTSP earning a Master of Divinity. The remaining 13,875 was incurred at the

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-30274477979270814482011-12-23T09:18:00.000-08:002011-12-23T09:49:58.238-08:00

So, as some readers may know I became the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia’s poster boy for student debt. The seminary sent out a letter to all alumni (including me) asking for money, because there are people like Chris, a recent graduate who is 80,000 dollars in the hole, who has been called to a church in New Jersey. They go on to point out that saddling seminarians like Chris with

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-83779380639288795342011-12-09T13:12:00.000-08:002011-12-09T13:14:27.577-08:00

The author of John’s Gospel, in his description of John the Baptist, took a figurative page out of the poet Homer’s playbook. In Homer’s Odyssey, Odysseus tells the Cyclops, who intends to eat and otherwise brutalize his crew, that his name is “No-man.” Then, when they blind the Cyclops and escape, the Cyclops cries out to his brothers, “No-man has blinded me.” For that reason they do not come to

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-971957156213991552011-12-02T09:15:00.000-08:002011-12-02T09:21:09.850-08:00

As my last post indicated, each gospel has its own character, and the Revised Common Lectionary makes this fact less clear. Well, I can’t just leave it like that—complain and not suggest a fix for said complaint. So, here is my bare bones proposal for how to re-organize the lectionary:Year 1: Matthew, The Law, Non-Pauline Letters Matthew goes to certain lengths to connect Jesus with Moses and the

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-35308255124642975762011-12-02T08:58:00.000-08:002011-12-02T08:59:12.514-08:00

In New Testament 1 it was hammered home that each gospel has its own character. Specifically, Dr. Mattison sharply focuses on the variety of values expressed in each gospel. She sharpened this reality by her “Creed assignments.” We wrote a creed focusing on the particular values of each gospel. Additionally, we looked at one particular piece of scripture which occurred in multiple gospels and

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-24368101169997110602011-10-22T06:13:00.000-07:002011-10-22T06:15:45.756-07:00

"Thus we have learned that except for a somewhat different understanding of the words “earthquake” and “rapture” or “catching up” no other past teachings of Judgment Day or the end of the world have been changed. The time line, the certainty of it, the proofs, and the signs are all precisely the same. No other past teachings have been changed or modified. Indeed, on May 21 Christ did come

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-55521288982739243082011-10-19T13:21:00.000-07:002011-10-19T13:26:00.546-07:00

Yesterday I mentioned a few directions that Occupy Wall Street could go in. Part of the not so subtle subtext of my post was that Adbusters was sort of hijacking a movement that had multiple voices.Well, today OWS came out with a TV commercial expressing the viewpoints of a few protesters. I like it!Check it out here

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-9374766657759759142011-10-18T15:25:00.000-07:002011-10-18T15:46:01.706-07:00

One of the main complaints about Occupy Wall Street is that, despite their initial billing, they do not have “one demand.” Adbusters, who helped started this movement does have one demand planned, they want to add a 1% tax on all financial transactions and currency trades in the world. Thinking about how Adbusters intends to transform the wide variety of voices participating in the Occupy Wall

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-80480550114527542012011-09-27T05:55:00.000-07:002011-09-27T05:56:08.672-07:00

Christians have been singing for a long time. During the Communist era in East Germany, Christians sang songs of resistance and peace—songs about swords turning into plowshares—as the walls of authoritarian oppression came tumbling down. During the Civil Rights era, hymn writer Charles Tidley’s song “We Shall Overcome” became the theme song for racial equality and justice. During the Reformation,

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-86314866427769637342011-09-22T16:24:00.001-07:002011-09-22T16:24:50.116-07:00

This week the US census bureau reported that the Poverty rate in the United States has reached just over 15%. That means 1 in 6 Americans live off of less than 1,000 dollars a month. This is the deepest level of poverty America has experienced since 1983. And while the state of the American economy is bad—I want to let you know today—that the state of God’s economy continues to be strong. God’s

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-91151410539254439482011-08-11T08:33:00.000-07:002011-08-11T08:38:38.222-07:00

So, here are a few quotes from the LIFT document the ELCA will be voting on at churchwide assembly: “Seminaries need to prepare to graduate at 4,000 candidates for ordained ministry in the next ten years.” They should focus on teaching in a way that leads to: “A Lutheran theological witness that is more audible in the North American marketplace of religious ideas. A church with significantly

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-65280657187115788432011-08-08T08:47:00.000-07:002011-08-08T08:50:05.589-07:00

The first year of Seminary we are required to attend a wide variety of churches (both Lutheran and non-lutheran) along with a small group of other seminarians. After this is done we processed our experiences together. We attended a suburban youth oriented Lutheran church. There I bristled at several worship songs that stole tunes from The Mamas and The Papas and another by Peter, Paul, and Mary

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-18978420656756148312011-08-08T08:16:00.000-07:002011-08-08T08:25:08.738-07:00

As I wrote earlier I am starting a new series that looks back at the various classes I took at seminary in order to look more carefully at some of the more interesting "theological nuggets" I came across in my 4 years of seminary. In order to start this off I thought I would publish the first paper I wrote at Seminary--pretensions, non-sequitors, warts, and all. Why Study Theology By Chris

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-51518310784130423252011-07-10T12:12:00.000-07:002011-07-10T12:14:16.870-07:00

Have you seen the Kingdom Tree? Greetings on behalf of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia where I have recently graduated from. Greetings on behalf of the Rocky Mountain Synod—my Synod of origin as well as from New Jersey Synod, the Synod I have been assigned to. (Greetings on behalf of your Pastor Rev. Churchill Wortherly, who has graciously opened up this pulpit to a young

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-91044506975117250932011-06-24T11:09:00.000-07:002011-06-24T11:12:04.849-07:00

So, I intend to read each paper I wrote in Seminary and from them summarize each class I took in Seminary, a post a piece.Hopefully my readers will enjoy these insights into these last 4 formative years preparing to be a pastor.Peace,Chris

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-59666562813325843632011-06-20T07:17:00.000-07:002011-06-20T07:19:41.037-07:00

Last night I had a dream that the Federal Government was reviewing my productivity as a citizen in compliance with the “New DREAM Act.” Specifically, they were judging if I was a productive pastor—and in the review decided I needed to take an additional 20 hours of continuing education. If I did not comply with this decision they would strip me of my citizenship and throw me out of the

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-163686680928623292011-06-17T08:27:00.000-07:002011-06-17T12:49:06.057-07:00

Below is the graduation speech I did along with Senior class co-president Ria.Truly Seminary has been both bizarre and faithful.

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-61859587263050369632011-06-06T09:53:00.000-07:002011-06-06T09:56:03.854-07:00

As most of my readers know I am a man of that certain age—the age that came to adulthood in the 9/11 era. I have seen faith in God horribly abused, and I’ve tried to figure out what that means.Ultimately that led me to do an M.Phil. over in Cambridge and study retellings of Genesis 22 from the 2nd century BCE to the 2nd century CE, which eventually became my book An Uncomfortable Bit of

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-27275046630238883722011-04-08T14:37:00.000-07:002011-04-08T14:43:15.481-07:00

I have a solution for the budget crisis!Let's cut federal funding of Planned Parenthood by 10.5 million dollars and pass a budget.Why, because the Republicans are worried about all the money we the tax payers pay to fund abortions. In fact they have said that is the one reason they are going to shut down the government.Well, 3% of what Planned Parenthood does involves abortions (bet you thought

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-13673348875109960142011-04-06T14:09:00.000-07:002011-04-06T14:11:52.005-07:00

Its a strange feeling. I've prepared this sermon and preached it a few weeks back for a Beatitudes Society event, and I'm in the process of memorizing it for a preaching class tomorrow, but I'll not actually preach it in a church.We Feed Off of Death, but Jesus Brings Life I would ask this morning that you suspend disbelief and embrace two absurd, perhaps even grotesque, images with me. Imagine

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-56194739013337945172011-03-24T19:19:00.001-07:002011-03-24T19:19:50.778-07:00

Socrates and Sven continued to walk.That morning the way was packed and the air cold. There was not a cloud in the sky; the sun seemed to bounce along the cold air. Day laborers walked by, their tools clinking at their sides in an awake rhythm, and their breath came out in white puffs. Women with head coverings as colorful as the fruit they bore in baskets carried between them, passed by.Socrates

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-67919760597145490982011-02-14T04:07:00.000-08:002011-02-14T04:09:02.862-08:00

Veggy Tales this is not--but rather good none the less... warning there is a vegetable "sex scene"Oedipus ...starring vegetables (2004) short film in HD from jason wishnow on Vimeo.

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-57574505622691677312011-02-01T08:05:00.000-08:002011-02-09T08:23:33.206-08:00

As has been widely noted Christina Green was born on 9/11, she was featured as a “face of hope.” That her life was bracketed by violence in such a way has some spiritual significance; it also says something to and about our present reality! I believe it says something about a whole generation born into a world that has been set on edge by violence and threats of violence their entire life. Their

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-34243292321540485842011-01-26T10:38:00.000-08:002011-01-26T10:41:58.865-08:00

As we all know “Boys don’t cry” yet it would seem there are exceptions… Glenn Beck and John Boehner. Now, I’m not going to suggest these right wing leaders (and make no mistake Glenn Beck is a leader of the Right) are “girlymen” or crybabies. No, I want to know why their tendency to cry in public has not been ran up a flag pole and pointed to as an example of unelectibility, brittleness, a lack

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-51948086333314912902011-01-21T12:33:00.000-08:002011-01-21T12:37:30.227-08:00

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-82540195135763090612011-01-08T18:24:00.000-08:002011-01-08T18:25:42.493-08:00

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-73924236988489459062010-12-18T07:51:00.000-08:002010-12-18T08:37:57.883-08:00

I have a confession, with the exception of the Bible and a few other books I do not re-read books. I guess I always felt like I got the basics of what I read the first time so why do it again. I do not want you to think I am ill-educated, I have read from Hitchens to Hesse, Aeschylus to Ellison, Dickenson to Kazantzakis, the Quran to the Bhagavad gita. Yet something is missing.As I prepare for a

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-72440682392688483502010-12-10T07:11:00.000-08:002010-12-10T07:12:41.613-08:00

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-83150354918584446292010-12-10T06:53:00.000-08:002010-12-10T07:05:21.111-08:00

I was reading John 12:6-8 today and was struck by something. Judas is admonishing Mary for pouring expensive perfume on Jesus because the money could have been given to the poor. Then there is a parenthetical statement that Judas didn’t really care for the poor, but was stealing from the common purse. Then Jesus responds, “You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”This

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-85224409904863125082010-12-07T20:03:00.001-08:002010-12-07T20:04:49.345-08:00

I made this while serving in YAGM over in England. It is kind of fun, as I am in my last year of seminary, to look back and see where I was at theologically then.Peace,Chris

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-56298422284706567062010-12-04T08:47:00.000-08:002010-12-04T08:54:48.204-08:00

So, one of the things ELCAers going through the candidacy process have been told as of late is that they need to be prepared to be “bi-vocational.” I would like to stir up the pot a little bit. When we are told that we need to be bi-vocational are we really being told that we need a second job? If I remember my reformation history accurately part of the revolutionary nature Luther’s teaching was

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-80227955005564795472010-11-30T13:44:00.000-08:002010-11-30T13:49:12.630-08:00

In a previous post I described the Sanity/Fear rally and Stewart's reason for having it.What follows are my reasons for going. I came to the Rally to restore Sanity and/or Fear for civic fellowship, to affirm civility, and to negate the Beck-Tea Party axis’ stranglehold on national discourse.1.I went to Stewart and Cobert’s rally because friends were going. On one level I mean Onleilove,

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-47680925601701688622010-11-30T07:00:00.000-08:002010-11-30T07:06:20.861-08:00

As my little sinner-saint kitten, Simul, opens up my kitchen cabnet, climbs in, and goes to sleep, I note two websites that point toward her namesake this day:Mockingbird points to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and quotes Stevenson thus: "With every day, and from both sides of my intelligence, the moral and the intellectual, I thus drew steadily nearer to that truth by whose partial discovery I have

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-63692427787533645482010-11-11T08:36:00.000-08:002010-11-11T08:39:50.831-08:00

As I write my paper about what Revelation chapter 5 verse 5 means in light of verse 6-- essentially asking the question what does a slain lamb have to do with a conquering lion--I ran across an interesting sidebar that I do not have time to research in the moment. Here is the summation of my sidebar:I think it is important to note the parallel between the lamb horned earth beast and the lion

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-86289594534597162162010-11-02T16:43:00.000-07:002010-11-02T16:57:18.377-07:00

I went to the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear. My girlfriend, two fellow seminarians, and I got up early on that chilled Saturday morning and drove from Philadelphia to Pentagon City. There we took out markers and poster board and made a few cool signs! We made our way to an extremely packed subway car and played the part of sardines all the way to the National Mall. There we were met with

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-968164899003476332010-10-17T16:07:00.001-07:002010-10-17T16:07:50.814-07:00

Greetings from your pastor Mark Parker who is currently with Breath of God’s youth at the Freeride event in North East Maryland. Greetings from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. Greetings and peace in the name of Jesus. They tell you at Seminary to never go back to the original biblical language in a sermon, because then you are just showing off. But, sometimes it is only in

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-81381674557947649842010-10-05T06:35:00.000-07:002010-10-05T06:40:12.191-07:00

I ended up reading a small portion of a tentative English translation of a Coptic document by Hibat Ibn al-‘Assal, the translator of the Bible from Coptic into Arabic, and I got to a place where Hibat was describing the books of the Bible he affirmed as canon. The author translated most of the books correctly, but when it came to the books of Wisdom there was one book that the translator did not

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-4032776883279302462010-10-04T07:49:00.000-07:002010-10-04T07:55:14.783-07:00

(I apologize for being unable to post this ad, it was taken down from Youtube)In commercials for the movie John Rambo Francis of Asisi’s prayer for peace:Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;where there is hatred, let me sow love;where there is injury, pardon:where there is doubt, faith;where there is despair, hopewhere there is darkness, lightwhere there is sadness, joyO Divine Master,grant

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-76526553167019107282010-08-31T23:33:00.000-07:002010-08-31T23:39:49.497-07:00

PERSONAL INFORMATION:Christopher Lee HalversonMaleFargo, North Dakota 1983EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:September 2009-August 2010—Vicar, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Pimlico Road, Baltimore, MD.August 2008-May 2009—Field Education Student, Tabernacle Lutheran Church, Philadelphia, PA.August 2008-December 2008—Hebrew TA, The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, PA.EDUCATION:2011 The Lutheran

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-85973638327790323342010-08-26T07:41:00.000-07:002010-08-26T07:43:01.622-07:00

So, just a very brief thought. As the controversy rages over the mosque/community center at/3 blocks from being built/refurbishing a Burlington Coat Factory I have to wonder where in the building they will be putting the American flag.No, seriously. Think about it. German Americans put the American flag in the sanctuary of their Lutheran churches to show how loyal they were during the world wars.

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-72899399520796562462010-08-22T14:35:00.000-07:002010-08-22T14:38:55.373-07:00

First off, to all those who I promised this blog post to a long time ago, I’m sorry its way late.Cover When my evening Bible Study crew was passing around the movie Cover I knew something was up.SPOILER WARNING!Cover is about the Down-low culture. For those of you who don’t know what being on the Down-low (DL) is: Being on the DL is the phenomena of claiming to be straight, usually being in a

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-66313811660974092822010-08-21T07:41:00.000-07:002010-08-21T09:54:14.281-07:00

Well, I have cleared out my blog roll some. Goodbye Dr. John’s Fortress. And by goodbye, I really mean goodbye. Look back at the last post. The last words Dr. John blogged were " Life Goes On Anyway!"As for “The Happy Couple” AKA Random Intolerance I’m going to miss them too. Dan was sort of my LCMS/WELS doppelganger back when blogs were scary and new and Lutheran blogs were non-existent. The

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-31907691284031845052010-08-08T04:40:00.001-07:002010-08-08T04:40:18.946-07:00

Wake/Rest/Serve I had struggled and sweated over my Master’s thesis. I hadn’t slept. But I finished it—turned it in, and got on a plane back to the United States. I wrote the sermon for my best friend’s wedding on the 11-hour plane ride from London to Los Angeles. I hadn’t slept. I wrote my Best man’s toast and a speech about brotherhood, singleness, and friendship for the bachelor party on the

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-60381511421491381992010-08-07T17:17:00.000-07:002010-08-07T17:23:10.764-07:00

I've had a hard time writing my sermon for this Sunday because my brain has stuck on this wonderful image relating to Faith, Hope, and the Unseen, but it doesn't fit with the actual message I'm preaching.So I'm going to share it here.The Obama Administration recently let it be known that 70% of the oil in the gulf has disappeared.Wonderful! We can't see it, so it must not matter!Truth be told it

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-73701835461461347342010-08-01T05:13:00.000-07:002010-08-01T05:14:02.476-07:00

In the end, things end After service last Sunday I drove out to Mar-Lu-Ridge a Lutheran camp near Fredrick Maryland. For five days 8 adults and 27 youth focused on the story of Passover through skits, songs, and activities, included making bricks without straw and throwing Pastor Matt—then dressed as Pharaoh—into the swimming pool in order to simulate crossing the red sea. Beside the faith

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-12609391694631114542010-07-21T10:47:00.000-07:002010-07-21T10:52:55.202-07:00

Sherrod's version of the story:The Farmer:Full video:

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-22399916135921808782010-07-18T16:10:00.000-07:002010-07-18T16:13:19.996-07:00

Our sermon "A Unitarian and a Lutheran Walk Into a Bar"

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-5309901702422504952010-07-16T13:02:00.000-07:002010-07-16T13:05:52.742-07:00

So, tomorrow I am going to be preaching a shortened version of this sermon along with my friend Christina Leone at UUCA What follows is the version we preached at St. John's about a month ago.“A Unitarian and a Lutheran Walk into a Bar”St. John’s (Chris’s Intro)- Greetings brothers and sisters.It is my pleasure to introduce Christina Leone, the intern minister of the Unitarian Universalist

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-27385681925811354722010-07-11T12:55:00.001-07:002010-07-11T12:55:41.617-07:00

Loving neighbor is a how question, not a who question As some of you may know the final match of the World Cup will be going on this afternoon. Spain will be playing the Netherlands. And some people are very excited to know who will win. Some people are so excited in fact, that they are looking everywhere for predictions about who is going to win. In fact an Octopus in Germany has predicted that

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-50707936501842249752010-07-04T04:41:00.000-07:002010-07-04T04:42:06.897-07:00

The Baltimore FolkGreetings in the name of Jesus. What do you think of when you hear the word mission? When you hear of the term Evangelism? For many these words bring up the image of Jehovah’s Witnesses knocking on doors two by two—interrupting dinner and being mildly annoying. Or young Mormon men bungling awkwardly though their first forays into the big bad world. For others a more sinister

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-67651027733258544942010-06-29T14:17:00.001-07:002010-06-29T14:17:44.027-07:00

SCRIPTURE“Jesus Christ is the living and abiding Word of God. By the power of the Spirit, this very Word of God, which is Jesus Christ, is read in the Scriptures,”—Principle 1 of “The Use and the Means of Grace”“Jesus Christ is the Word of God incarnate. The proclamation of God’s message to us is both Law and Gospel. The canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the written Word of

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-12997171360632948822010-06-29T12:41:00.000-07:002010-06-29T12:42:49.154-07:00

Just a quick update. Tonight I will be doing the second half of my two part series about the spiritual implications of being on the DL. Last week we talked about the breadth of the sexuality statement and its grounding principles, especially about building and protecting trust in relationships—and how those principles were, or were not, being valued in the movie Cover, and in DL relationships.

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-92152629825385926622010-06-27T06:13:00.001-07:002010-06-27T06:13:49.766-07:00

Greetings in the name of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. Greetings in the name of St. John’s Pimlico. Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. In Janis Joplin’s song, “Me and Bobby McGee,” the refrain is, “Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose.” Today I would like to maintain two somewhat opposing statements. In so far as discipleship is concerned, “Freedom

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-16399911622637079782010-06-16T14:25:00.000-07:002010-06-16T14:27:45.435-07:00

So, I am currently working on an interesting… challenge. The subject of men on the down-low has been talked about at one of my Bible Studies. So, I decided to face the issue head on. Next Tuesday night we’re doing a Bible Study/discussion using the movie Cover as a jumping off point to talk about the ethics of living a “down-low” lifestyle.I have to admit this has been an odd topic to explore,

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-52404968427370541662010-06-13T11:52:00.000-07:002010-06-13T11:53:03.726-07:00

Did you hear about the party? Did you hear about the party at Simon’s house? Did you hear that Jesus showed up! Did you hear that… someone else showed up! All the religious folk had got together at Simon’s house. We all wanted to know what kind of man this Jesus was. We all wanted to know what type of teacher he was. Some, like the followers of John the Baptist, were wondering if he was a

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-74078289379733593912010-06-03T13:15:00.000-07:002010-06-03T13:17:40.489-07:00

So, I’ve spent the day looking at the final 8 sermons I’ll be preaching… because if I’ve learned nothing else on internship it is to be intentional and to prepare things in advance. I was reading the gospel readings for August 1st and hit upon an imaginative question: What if the man Jesus calls a fool is in fact the “father” of the two men squabbling about inheritance rights? Let me set the

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-45702332346668867072010-05-16T17:15:00.001-07:002010-05-16T17:15:24.046-07:00

Our lesson today begins with the words, “After these things….” And that’s an appropriate starting point—because there have been a lot of things that have led us here—to this mountain, the aged Abraham holding a cleaver glinting in the sun, about to descend into his son, his only son, the one he loves, Isaac. A lot of things have transpired to get us here, to this last sermon in our series about,

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-80160502370259856562010-05-14T08:11:00.000-07:002010-05-14T08:13:16.303-07:00

Once upon the time, in the Kingdom of __(1)_____ there lived two squires. There names were __(2)_____ and ___(3)____. Now, in case you don’t know, squires are people who are training to become knights. To do this they learned to use swords and shields, learned how to put on armor quickly, and learned to ride horses well. ___(4)____, the Queen of __(1)_____ took a special interest in ___(2)___

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-75539846851923862602010-05-12T09:22:00.000-07:002010-05-12T09:24:54.649-07:00

When I think about Genesis chapter 22 I am always struck by the threat to the promise found within these 18 verses. Everything that comes before—every promise, every salvation of the promise, every victory snatched from defeat—is laid bare with the command to sacrifice Isaac—the promised son. God is the Promiser, the Faithful One who will bring about a new and amazing thing—bringing a barren

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-57976748447718135012010-05-09T04:48:00.000-07:002010-05-09T04:49:18.402-07:00

Motherhood is affirmed When a child becomes an adultSuccess! Mom! Success!

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-32801820447619848592010-05-07T17:10:00.000-07:002010-05-07T17:11:33.949-07:00

So the april fools edition of the Seminarian came out today. I wrote three articles in it. Can any of my readers catch which articles are mine?Peace,Chris

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-87653546396312391272010-04-29T18:59:00.000-07:002010-04-29T19:00:04.728-07:00

Well, your friendly neighborhood blogger is sick. You already knew that you say? Not that kind of sick! I’ve been aching and cold for most of the day, and keep falling asleep.That said I did manage to slink over to the couch and pop in a Netflix DVD—Jesus Christ Super Star:2000. Maybe its my illness, but the flick stunk/maybe my heart just goes all aflutter for the hippie rendition of 1973, but

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-26223264693960001072010-04-25T04:43:00.000-07:002010-04-25T04:44:08.546-07:00

The Journey is messyI bring you greetings, from Renee, Gregg, Gavin, Gwendylyn, Mecedes, Jennifer, and Justin. They told me to tell you they’ll be back this afternoon, unless the weather is nice, in which case they’ll be staying on the Eastern Shore for a few more days, or maybe a couple of weeks.I also bring you greetings in the name of Jesus. It was getting late Friday evening. The sun was

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-91090430840208465052010-04-22T07:00:00.001-07:002010-04-22T07:00:46.030-07:00

Tue: Arrived in time for a nice dinner--stir-fried shrimp/scallops/calamari cooked by Chef Chris! Then on to his evening Bible study--got to meet a few congregation members, who complimented me on raising such a fine man--I agree(though I don‘t take credit for it!) Also got to meet Chris’ cat, Simul.Wed:We went to a Baltimore Orioles game with Joe & Joel--Methodist & Lutheran interns. Orioles

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-68865674113622882242010-04-20T15:47:00.000-07:002010-04-20T15:48:00.214-07:00

As the sun comes out and I walk the labyrinth in front of St. John's and try to break down my prayers into a stark and easy to remember phrase I’ve reached this so far:I bowForgiveSaveSustainHere

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-70585694352759423252010-04-18T04:45:00.001-07:002010-04-18T04:45:50.757-07:00

We pray Lord, for this church—for St. John’s, may our ministries mirror your calling to the cruciform life—may our communal life reflect your light. LIYMHOPWe lift up our Health and Wellness committee—especially those who served this community in our food pantry, may those who look upon them see you. LIYMHOPWe pray too Lord for the Delaware/Maryland Synod. We pray for interim Bishop Sneider and

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-41812502737300139792010-04-11T12:47:00.001-07:002010-04-11T12:47:33.180-07:00

I’ve had four open-heart surgeries so far in my life. Up until yesterday afternoon I believed there was a good chance that I was about to have another one very soon. As some of you know I don’t always read people well, but I do generally read doctors very well. I can tell when they are anxious or confused. I know what a doctor acts like right before she or he say, “we need to operate.” And, that

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-20571880193184892392010-04-10T18:32:00.000-07:002010-04-10T18:34:52.428-07:00

As some of you know I’ve been anxiously awaiting the results of an MRI of my heart.What you may not know is how anxious I was. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. I too didn’t realize quite how large a burden I was carrying—until I was released from it today.The way the doctors were acting was the way they acted when I was 18 and ended up having emergency open-heart surgery. I genuinely believed I was

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-48838114692689704252010-04-05T15:24:00.001-07:002010-04-05T15:24:48.172-07:00

Because I know YouI bow before Your sacredness Come to meThread Your being throughout my lifeRemind me of Your mercyInfuse my soul with Your spiritBe with meAll that sustains me is from YouIt gives me great joyI am marred, and You love me I am mangled, and You keep meMay I too love and keep my siblings I am thrown into ambiguity—may I trust You are with meBring me from the valley to the mountain

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-87496036182980289432010-04-03T06:56:00.000-07:002010-04-03T06:57:38.764-07:00

The Vigil of EasterMay the light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds. Joan Chittister writes that everyone who has ever lived, or who will ever live, will someday undergo a Holy Saturday of their own. Someday we will all know the power of overwhelming loss when life as we know it changes, when all hope dies in mid-flight. Then, and only then, she writes, can

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-66228937590568481852010-04-02T17:58:00.001-07:002010-04-02T17:58:46.778-07:00

“When I survey the wondrous cross on which the prince of glory died/ My richest gain I count as loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.” When I survey the cross, something happens. It changes the way I look at the world, and at myself. When I survey the cross I am struck by the man stuck on that tree. I am struck with fear and trembling that it is in fact God who is on that tree. God is

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-337621974043762642010-03-29T07:43:00.000-07:002010-03-29T08:29:39.912-07:00

This morning, before listening to MLK’s speech on my I-pod, I was woken to further news about the sex abuse scandal in the Roman Catholic Church. There is a chance it goes all the way up to the top, to the “Vicar of Christ.”Well, this “Vicar of St. John’s” was none too impressed by the Pope’s response. Essentially, “aren’t those Bishops of mine naughty”… and, “man, there are a lot of rumors out

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-33400989588868148522010-03-29T07:26:00.000-07:002010-03-29T07:39:37.064-07:00

This morning, as I exercised, I listened to Martin Luther King’s sermon “Paul's Letter to American Christians.” In it he goes off on the following trope:“For many years I have longed to be able to come to see you. I have heard so much of you and of what you are doing. I have heard of the fascinating and astounding advances that you have made in the scientific realm. I have heard of your dashing

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-21210258582331806862010-03-24T13:43:00.001-07:002010-03-24T13:43:53.038-07:00

Names: 1 and 12Animals: 2, 7, 8,9, 11, 14, and 18. Number 11 has to be an animal 1 would be afraid of Food: 3Sound: 4Baltimore sports team: 5Elementary school: 6Street name: 10Color: 13, 17A subject in school you didn’t really like: 15, 16A song: 19Dinner with Grandma ( _____1______ ) was a (__2___). He had just moved to Baltimore with his mother (_____). They’d packed and packed and packed.

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-16655800786117453982010-03-22T15:14:00.000-07:002010-03-22T15:18:32.239-07:00

So, today I went to Liberty Heights to get my oil changed. I forgot to bring a book with me and I didn’t really feel like sitting around watching bad local TV for an hour and a half. So instead I stepped out into the rain in my stylish black trench coat and fedora and took a wander around that neighborhood. Interestingly enough the mechanic I went to is in between two Lutheran churches, St. Paul

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-57953539779534359712010-03-18T08:45:00.000-07:002010-03-18T08:47:07.306-07:00

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-5597210178469407762010-03-17T18:27:00.000-07:002010-03-17T18:34:50.097-07:00

Well, I preached at the Wednesday Evening joint service "Wade in the Water," at All Saints.What you see here is the sermon as written, not exactly as preached, because you know, you double space these things to leave room for the Holy Spirit.One of the best part of the nights was when I had people amening right and left--then I got to the line, "I believe this so strongly that at one point it

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-72078527394881194762010-03-14T18:39:00.000-07:002010-03-14T18:41:08.310-07:00

How and Who I have to admit that I’ve dreaded preaching this sermon for about a month now. I have dreaded it ever since I was told by pastor Gregg that I would be preaching on the subject, “Blessed are those who weep.” At first I was just uncomfortable confronting suffering, loss, weeping, mourning, and tears. It wasn’t that I didn’t have anything to say about these things. I’ve suffered through

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-76663486233385479722010-02-24T11:16:00.000-08:002010-02-24T11:17:18.963-08:00

So, many people think Sarah Palin doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of becoming president… in fact some people compare her and her chances to that of Jesse Jackson’s 1988 run. I’m not so sure, because 2012 isn’t 1988. Specifically there are two things that are different:1. The rise of the Tea Party.2. Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission The first would provide foot soldiers—the

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-81219000619934083942010-02-17T18:08:00.001-08:002010-02-17T18:08:31.356-08:00

Mortal, repent, prepare for Easter! When I read about Isaiah’s fury against false fasts, external humility, ashes without regret, sackcloth without repentance, and ritual without justice…When I read all of this while preparing to put ash crosses on people’s foreheads I get a little nervous. When Jesus speaks poorly of outward almsgiving, prayer, and fasting—on this Ash Wednesday, On this start

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-68691860159471041362010-02-16T16:21:00.000-08:002010-02-16T16:37:14.738-08:00

I dream of doing a Mission Start for the ELCA. Specifically, I dream of starting the largest poly-ethnic Lutheran church in the Northwest either in Seattle or Portland. Why the Northwest? 1. Its one of the most unchurched regions of the country 2. For all the PC talk of multi-culturalism in the Northwest its pretty darn mono-cultural.I dream of a church where our Santa Lucia is an African

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-65134426548409474712010-02-16T06:08:00.000-08:002010-02-16T06:09:00.442-08:00

God is with us, let’s follow Him down the mountain!Its good to be back this 2nd Sunday after the snowfall.Welcome to all visitorsWelcome back to everyone who was snowed in last Sunday.Welcome on this end of Epiphany—the season in which we celebrate God being manifest—being disclosed—being revealed—showing up—in Jesus Christ.Welcome on this Transfiguration Sunday—the Sunday that functions as the

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-70547743065433223032010-02-13T12:50:00.000-08:002010-02-13T12:52:58.099-08:00

So, as legend has it Valentines Day is in fact an anti-war, anti-imperial holiday. During the reign of Claudius an edict went out throughout the land—men were not allowed to marry, because marriage causes a man to think about things other than serving the god-like forces of Empire as a soldier. You see, to the emperor the only worth of a person is as a tool to oppress and conquer others. But one

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-65522067993672896702010-02-13T12:20:00.000-08:002010-02-13T12:23:08.039-08:00

So, Pretty Good Lutherans "An independent news site of veteran religion reporter Susan Hogan," has put up a link to my book An Uncomfortable Bit of Rope and Other Essays on the Binding of IssacThanks!

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-91764234135192638812010-02-09T06:41:00.000-08:002010-02-09T07:01:59.970-08:00

So, apparently Ron Paul isn't "libertarian" enough for Palin's Tea Party. Because, you know what, to the Tea Party folk libertarian means invading other countries and expanding federal governments influence into the day to day lives of Americans.Seriously, rhetorically challenging Ron Paul for being part of the establishment and for being out of step with small government conservatism while in

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-51836144212293914032010-02-07T15:43:00.000-08:002010-02-07T15:46:33.680-08:00

The top story on Al Jazeera is: Ahmadinejad orders nuclear workThe top story on CNN is: Super Bowl XLIV: Dynasty or destiny?Hmmm... I don't know, maybe I'm just a bad American. I genuinely think the Al Jazeera story is more important.

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-9736575794352407492010-02-06T07:29:00.000-08:002010-02-06T07:31:39.437-08:00

I recently read Game Change by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin. This is an insiders account of the 2008 race. The biggest revelation to me was how narcissistic and messianic John Edwards, a man I supported as VP in 2004, acted. The revelations in this book make me come close to being glad the Democrats lost in 2004. If John Edwards had become anything more than a figurehead VP the country would

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-58663601945105174632010-02-04T12:59:00.000-08:002010-02-04T13:03:31.611-08:00

As some of my readers know I've been a Calvin and Hobbes fan since before I knew that Hobbes wrote Leviathan and Calvin wrote Institutes of the Christian Religion. :)"With almost 15 years of separation and reflection, what do you think it was about "Calvin and Hobbes" that went beyond just capturing readers' attention, but their hearts as well?The only part I understand is what went into the

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-722503210161362052010-01-21T12:48:00.000-08:002010-01-21T12:49:17.915-08:00

So... for the heck of it type in Chris Halverson on Amazon.com. My book shows up!Peace,Chris

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-2191265579594453182010-01-10T12:00:00.000-08:002010-01-10T12:01:03.764-08:00

In Baptism God sees Christ Greetings in the name of Jesus. This week Pastor Gregg and I received a letter in the mail not for us. It was addressed to heaven, and I guess the post-man in some confusion, delivered it to St. John’s. The letter contained a job application and a resume. For the sake of easy access to this resume you can turn to a copy found as an insert in your bulletin. Name:

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-39213219244463087442010-01-09T10:16:00.001-08:002010-01-09T10:16:49.988-08:00

Name: HumanityPermanent Address:Garden of EdenPresent Address:Throughout the EarthEmail Address:HU__man@yahoo.comExperience:Several millennia engaged in war.Regular attempts at Genocide.Withholding coats and stealing money. (Luke 3:10-14)Constant judgment of others along with self-justification.Education:BA in SinMA in Hubris, with an emphasis in Disobedience.Internship:Has interned under the

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-3446697505345395242010-01-01T19:35:00.001-08:002010-01-01T19:35:30.137-08:00

Watch Night Sermon “Lift up your eyes.”Greetings in the name of Jesus (CENTER) I have to admit, before coming to St. John’s I was not familiar with the tradition of a Watch Night service. But after some research I found out it was a Moravian tradition started in Czecklesavakia that became a Methodist tradition when it made it’s away to America. Then, on December 31st 1862—the night before the

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-44750512014171344812009-12-08T17:46:00.001-08:002009-12-08T17:46:54.914-08:00

"The trouble with a kitten is that when it grows up, it's always a cat."-- Ogden Nash

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-2616076647593158082009-12-07T11:38:00.000-08:002009-12-07T11:40:50.249-08:00

So, my book "An Uncomfortable Bit of Rope and Other Essays on the Binding of Isaac" has been published through Createspace. It will be on Amazon.com soon, or so they tell me. So that's pretty exciting!Peace,Chris

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-51433069910996876722009-12-06T05:05:00.000-08:002009-12-06T05:06:35.318-08:00

"Somalia's prime minister has called for an international peace plan like the new US strategy for Afghanistan, saying it would be more effective and far cheaper than current efforts to combat the country's problems of piracy and armed opposition."

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-83795859511999215232009-12-05T11:24:00.000-08:002009-12-05T11:30:57.043-08:00

So, in response to the Pope allowing married anglicans to become Roman Catholic priests Archbishop Rowan Williams has declared that the barrier of unity amongst Christians is the Roman Catholic ban on female clergy. Archbishop Williams is essentially saying celibacy isn't enough, recognizing that the Holy Spirit calls women to the ministry of word and sacrament is a non-negotiable. He is saying,

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-9127025987954595092009-12-04T06:34:00.000-08:002009-12-04T06:35:50.234-08:00

“Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy… Wass ist das?... We are to fear and love God, so that we do not despise preaching or God’s word, but instead keep that word holy and gladly hear and learn it.”Notice what Luther does, he moves Sabbath from chronos to logos, from time to word. He de-centers Sabbath praxis into theological doxis, action into theology/thought.One of my understandings of

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-54560541161832287042009-12-01T18:05:00.000-08:002009-12-01T18:06:08.211-08:00

I remember during the election many on the right dismissed the President as a dreamer, an idealist who would give away the country to foreign leaders if he thought it would make them feel good. Some one the left assumed Obama would be Kucinich-lite, a dreamer that would bring an impractical peace. Well, now we see what is becoming of this dreamers dream. Obama is straight up Chicago knife fight.

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362125.post-11100276833905447562009-11-29T11:32:00.001-08:002009-11-29T11:32:43.042-08:00

Greetings in the name of Jesus! Today is the first day of the season of Advent, which also means it is the first day of a new year on the Christian calendar. And so I would like to begin by greeting you, brothers and sisters, with the words, Happy New Year! Celebrating the New Year in November seems awkward,it seems out of step with the order of the secular world. That’s the point. While

Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304298306127392428noreply@blogger.com0