The Monster of Ego

It takes a degree of open-mindedness to even be willing to change your mind.

Ben-Hur: A Metaphor of the Christian Life

Jesus was a strange dude. He wasn’t what anyone expected or even wanted at the time. He arrived in a turbulent time in history, when the Judean nation was under Roman occupation. The Jews expected a savior like King David, a sword in hand, to liberate them from their enemies. What they got instead was …

The Tunnel: Life Inside the Bubble

Recently, I discussed sin with a friend and whether or not Christians can “choose” not to sin… to achieve a life without sin, despite living in a sinful world, by becoming one with Christ. I argued that this is difficult, because our decision may be “not sinful” on our end, but still have broader, sinful …

1500s History: Are We Smarter?

Studying history is as humbling an experience as it is enlightening. It is easy to become convinced of one’s own “superiority” to those living in former centuries, but an in-depth study of their lives, writings, and philosophical and theological points of view often illustrates that while the past may have had its superstitions, it also …

Grace and Hellfire: Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame

I have an interesting relationship with many Disney animated films, and varying degrees of love for all the animated classics, but one absolute fascinates me each time I watch it, resonates on much deeper levels than I can explain, and is my favorite because its messages are so daring and powerful: The Hunchback of Notre …

Through a Mirror Darkly

Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell was one of those books I started to read right after it came out, got distracted from, and then it went back to the library and I forgot about it. Once the miniseries started airing, I couldn’t stand not knowing how it would end, so I read it with great …

A.D. The Bible Continues, Episode 12

Well, that is a cliffhanger … but not as bad as it could have been. I’m not even sure where to start this week, so I’ll start with history. Caligula did indeed order that a statue of him be placed in the temple in Jerusalem. It never made it that far; wind of it reached …

A.D. The Bible Continues, Episode 11

I cannot help thinking back to last week, when Pilate told Claudia he was trying to work out how to make Johanna’s death count. He meant, of course, in sending a message – and he did that this week, by showing Claudia her place; but the great irony of it is, her death counted far …

A.D. The Bible Continues, Episode 10

God has a sense of humor. Not only did he create wombats, and send Paul to preach to the Gentiles, but He also has keenly orchestrated a situation in my life not so different from what the believers face in Jerusalem. They have a radical teacher in their midst, Paul, who believes Christ fulfilled all …

A.D. The Bible Continues: Episode 9

I’m so delighted with the series' depiction of Paul. I really am. Only he could think that being run out of Damascus after creating a riot in the temple was “incredible.” He goes running home to Jerusalem eager to embrace the disciples and Peter, and then is baffled with their inability to get over everything …