Beatty Church
All posts tagged: church
book review: Speaking Faithfully
I remember very clearly the time I told a young man in a town park that I was the new vicar of the church down the street, because his answer was classic: “Oh…is that still a church?” I was stunned, and let out a short burst of nervous laughter. “Uh, yep! Still a church!”
eucharistic bombshells – a reflection on John 6:51-58
The following is a reflection on John 6:51-58, the Gospel Lesson appointed for Proper 15B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. John’s Jesus uses incredibly incendiary language in chapter 6. So incendiary, in fact, that some people stopped following him because of it.
will truthiness kill the church?
Every once in a while I read an article on CNN’s Belief Blog. The reporting and commentary is often interesting—but then I get drawn down to the amazing emotional energy in the Comments section. I’ve found that the comments generally fall into one of three categories: 1) comments which genuinely engage with the topic at hand, 2) broad comments which disparage religion in general, and 3) broad comments which disparage religious institutions and leaders specifically […]
covered in dust – a reflection on Mark 6:1-13
The following is a reflection on Mark 6:1-13, the Gospel lesson appointed for Proper 9, year B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. Christianity in the west is in deep trouble. In America over 1/4th of adults have left the religion of their youth, most for no religion at all. In Europe, many grand cathedrals and basilicas are more like mausoleums than thriving centers of worship. People are leaving the faith. But, unlike some, I […]
wanderlust – a reflection on pentecost
Acts / Creation / Lectionary / New Testament / Old Testament / Pentateuch / Religion / Theology / Year B
The following is a reflection on Acts 2:1-21, the lesson properly appointed for the Day of Pentecost, year B of the Revised Common Lectionary, and Genesis 11:1-9 the lesson appointed for the Day of Pentecost, year c. Pentecost is often interpreted as the undoing of Babel. At the tower of Babel, God confounded the speech of His People so that they could not communicate with each other. At Pentecost God gave the apostles the gift […]
even astonished – a reflection on Acts 10:44-48
The following is a reflection on Acts 10:44-48, the second lesson properly appointed for Easter 6B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. …While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles… The two words above, which to me stick out as if they have […]