Category Archives: Theological Reflection

Celebrating Four score and Four Years

For me, reaching four score and four years evokes a doxological response. Sustained by grace and upheld through radical surgery the past eighteen months have provided sharpened meaning for and grateful savoring of life. Surrounded by proven friendships and cultivating new relationships at our Becketwood Cooperative home enriches life. My mate of three score years, six childrenContinue reading “Celebrating Four score and Four Years”

ATOMIC FISSION : “IS THERE NO BALM IN GILEAD?”

May 8, 2012 An article in the summer 2012 Washington State University Magazine titled The Atomic Landscape arrested my attention. Discussed is the WWII Manhattan Project and the development of atomic bombs.  Hanford Nuclear Reservation in South-Eastern Washington on the Columbia River is where successful atomic fission  resulted in building  atom bombs.  Hanford is in close proximityContinue reading “ATOMIC FISSION : “IS THERE NO BALM IN GILEAD?””

BUCKLEY – INDIVIDUALISM/CHRISTIANITY

A recent op ed  written by Carl Bogus (Startribune, 11/30/11) arrested my attention.  Bogas’ article is titled:  “Why all black and white,  no gray? For GOP it all starts with Buckley.”  The writer suggests the modern conservative movement began 60 years ago when Buckley published “God and Man at Yale”  Yale was criticized for two things,

SURPRIZED BY JOY – NEW MATH OF GRACE

Is there anything unique about Christianity? The incarnation of god’s appearing in human form or religious accounts of return from death are shared by various religious traditions. The respected author, C. S. Lewis when asked what is Christianity’s unique contribution among world religions he replied:  “Oh, that’s easy.  It’s grace.” 

AUGUSTINE’S IMPACT ON WESTERN THOUGHT

October 30, 2011 An influential idea in Western thought is that history has a goal and is puposeful.  This idea altered the Greek-Roman notion that history and time revoved in meaningless circles with no ultimate goal. With the fall of the Roman Empire to Germanic invaders in 431 AD  Augustine, theologian and philosopher, wrote The City of God. Continue reading “AUGUSTINE’S IMPACT ON WESTERN THOUGHT”

LINCOLN AND MLK – HATE VS. FORGIVENESS

October 26, 2011 Philip Yancey’s book What’s So Amazing About Grace  in the chapter Arsenal of Grace quotes Alexander  Solshenitsyn:  “Only a small crack. . . . but cracks make caves collapse.”  Later in this chapter references are made to Lincoln and Martin Luther King as champions of grace and national reconciliation. Interesting is the factContinue reading “LINCOLN AND MLK – HATE VS. FORGIVENESS”

POLITICS AND THE CHURCH’S BULLY PULPIT

Headline 9/20/2011 in the STARTRIBUNE TWIN CITIES+REGION section: BACHMAN-HAMMOND: JUST THE TICKET FOR OUR TIMES Writer Jon Tevlin observes that both politics as well as religion make strange bedfellows.  Rev. Mac Hammond, local televangelist from Living Word Christian Center has joined as an advisor the Bachmann campaign.

TRAILING CLOUDS OF GLORY DO WE COME

September 8, 2011 A secluded and private space at Becketwood Cooperative is Fernwood Glen. Gigantic century old mature oaks shelter a sprawling wild-flower garden  greet the eye. Bench provided offers a place for quiet contemplation. Often I visit here to enjoy the opportunity for private musing and thought. Immediately adjoining is the playground of Minnehaha Academy’s lower grade  school.  Recently atContinue reading “TRAILING CLOUDS OF GLORY DO WE COME”