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The Comfortable Words
Introduction One of the most cherished parts of the Anglican Liturgy is the comfortable words. These words reflect a theological and pastoral concern to communicate assurance and comfort to believers. Though unique to Anglican Liturgy, the comfortable words are in keeping with a deep importance of comfort in scripture. This scriptural theme was important to…
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A Second Look at Lying and the Ethics of the New Christian Right
Part 2 of 2 Rather than give an exhaustive account of lying, it will suffice for present purposes to arrive at a basic understanding of what a lie really is. In the process it will become apparent that while all lies are deceptions, not all deceptions are lies. Once the true definition of a lie…
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Book Review: “The Hours”
The Hours: Poems. By Matthew J. Andrews. Anaheim, CA: Solum Literary Press, 2025. 87 pp. $16.11 (paper). The Hours is a new collection of poetry by Matthew J. Andrews, one that uses dense and cryptic imagery to examine the Christian experience of our broken humanity. Structurally, as the name foreshadows, the volume is divided into…
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Strangers and Pilgrims – The Third Sunday after Easter
I just a poor wayfaring stranger, Trav’ling through this world of woe. There’s no sickness, no toil, nor danger In that bright land to which I go. I’m going there to see my Father; I’m going there no more to roam. I’m just going over Jordan, I’m just going over home. How long are you…
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Beyond the Salvation Wars and Discontents over Baptism
A Critical Review Matthew Bates declares victory over historical understandings of baptism, but it feels like trading steak dinner for porridge. His attempt to reframe baptism and salvation through ‘allegiance’ to Christ’s kingship oversimplifies the sacramental theology that has long been foundational to Christian tradition. While innovative, Bates’s view diminishes the richness and depth of…
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A Second Look at Lying and the Ethics of the New Christian Right
Part 1 of 2 Not long ago, Ben Crenshaw—Contributing Editor at American Reformer—suggested in an article that deception is sometimes commendable. The claim was incidental to the larger point of the article in question, but Carl Trueman—Professor of Biblical & Religious Studies at Grove City College—took issue with it in an article of his own….
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Shepherd of the Sheep – The Second Sunday after Easter
The King of love my shepherd is, whose goodness faileth never; I nothing lack if I am his, and he is mine for ever. Shepherds and shepherding are constant themes throughout the Scriptures, beginning in Genesis (46:32-34, 49:24) and proceeding throughout the New Testament. Joseph’s brothers are shepherds along with his father, Jacob. Moses becomes…
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A History of Alternative Views of Hell in the Church of England
Introduction A serious study of what was taught in centuries past will always reveal a greater diversity of thought than is popularly claimed, for the past continually falls victim to generalizations. Sometimes the majority view is innocently mistaken to be the only one, other times minority views are ignored for the purpose of giving an…
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An Occasion for Comment
The Draft Book of Occasional Offices The ACNA Book of Common Prayer (2019) Resource page posted the draft version of the ACNA Book of Occasional Offices (2026) for downloading, review, and comments. According to the webpage, comments and suggestions can be sent: “Before April 5 (Easter Day) 2026, please email the Rev’d Jacob Hootman at…
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Book Review: “Let’s Call It Home”
Let’s Call It Home: Poems. By Luke Harvey. Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2024. xii + 98 pp. $26.00 (hardback), $11.00 (paper). Let’s Call it Home is a tidy volume of contemporary poetry by Luke Harvey, containing seventy-five poems divided into three sections: Lullabies of Ascent, Spiritus Vertiginis, and Returning Home. Together these sections trace a…