Ryle, J.C. Expository Thoughts on the Gospels. Eds. Graham Hind and Mary Davis. Evangelical Press, 2024. Seven-volume set. Where does one begin reviewing a set of books that have existed for over 150 years? The first Bishop of Liverpool, J.C. Ryle, published his set of commentaries, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, between 1856 and 1873. As a…
Infant Baptism in the Bible: A Promise For You and Your Children
The Biblical record on infant baptism should give us confidence to present our children and to receive God’s promise.
Today in the Spirit: Proper 8B
Sometimes, in the three-year lectionary cycle, there is the opportunity for a Stewardship Sunday built right into the schedule of readings. This week is an example of that, though, oddly, it is not the Gospel reading taking the lead. Proper 8B is one of a few instances in the post-Pentecost ordinary season where we can…
One Canon, Two Testaments (Andrewes’ Principle, Pt. 1)
Anglicans stand on “One canon reduced to writing by God himself, two testaments…”
The Roar of the Lion: A Guide to the Gospel of Mark
A lion is like a king, who claims a place and a tribe as his own. The lion can be heard, even when he is not seen. And his roar demands a response. The Tetramorph Over the millennia, the church has paired each of the four evangelists with one of the living creatures from Ezekiel…
Saint Thomas Sunday: A Rookie Anglican Guide
The Sunday after Easter is also called “Saint Thomas Sunday.” This Sunday, we read the story of the apostle Thomas, his doubts about the news of the resurrection, and his confession of faith when Jesus showed him his wounds. It is a day to acknowledge skepticism and celebrate belief. Most importantly, Saint Thomas Sunday is…
The Stations of the Cross: A Rookie Anglican Guide
Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives…
The Decalogue: A Rookie Anglican Guide
The Decalogue is a responsive paraphrase of the Ten Commandments, used (sometimes) in the Sunday Communion service. Each commandment is recited by the priest and is followed by a congregational response. For example, here is the first commandment: God spoke these words and said: I am the Lord your God. You shall have no other…
A People of One Book
“I want to know one thing—the way to heaven…Let me be homo unius libri [A man of one book]. Here, then, I am, far from the busy ways of men. I sit down alone: Only God is here. In his presence I open, I read his book; for this end, to find the way to…
Reclining On Christ: Saint John’s Example of Intimacy with Jesus
Saint John was an apostle, an evangelist, and a bosom friend to Jesus, who set an example of reclining on Christ. John’s feast is December 27th, and we also remember him on Maundy Thursday and any time we read from his Gospel. A Bosom-Friend I call John a bosom friend because it was he, “the…
