Why do bishops wear purple? As a symbol of authority, sobriety, and boldness in the gospel. Please note: this article offers a theological rationale for the practice rather than a historical explanation. As a historical matter, Anglican bishops have more commonly worn scarlet, black, and white; episcopal purple was a relatively recent development. Purple and…
Book Review: A New History of Redemption
Few scholars could even attempt to write a book like A New History of Redemption, Gerald McDermott’s recent work of near-comprehensive theological history. McDermott borrows the title and structure from an unfinished project of Jonathan Edwards, the 18th-century Puritan, who outlined the project but did not live to complete it. And no wonder: Edwards’ idea…
Political Violence and a Crucified Lord
How should Christians react to a rise in political violence? Anger is justified, but sin is not. Instead, we look to our crucified Lord, whose conviction was political violence, whose crucifixion was political violence, who himself grieved political violence, but whose resurrection triumphed over political violence. As Christians, we proclaim the superior hope of repentance…
The Books of Gerald McDermott: An Overview
The Rev. Dr. Gerald R. McDermott, scholar and Anglican priest, has devoted much of his career to publishing and editing Christian books.
Trinity Sunday: A Rookie Anglican Guide
Trinity Sunday commemorates the Christian doctrine of God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—three persons in one substance, an eternal community of love.
Remembering Rod Whitacre: The Ukulele Evangelist
In early 2023, the Rev. Dr. Rod Whitacre sat in a hospital bed, reflecting on his life with his son Chad. He was receiving treatment for lymphoma and would soon decide to come home to hospice care. Together that day, they remembered Rod’s many published contributions to New Testament studies, including the IVP New Testament…
Standing Firm in God’s Love with Athanasius
“Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” – 1 John 4:8 “God is love.” This is a sentiment that we all, well, love. We love to say it, and we love to believe it. But what does it mean? Love implies a relationship between two or more persons. And…
Hymn Guide: Be Thou My Vision
Did you know “Be Thou My Vision” was written by a blind monk? The text is traditionally attributed to Saint Dallán, a 6th-century Celtic monk who went blind in the middle of his life. Some modern scholars have argued for a later date in the 10th or 11th century. Either way, the text reflects the…
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…
Called By His Grace: 10 Theses on the Conversion of Paul
If we want to understand grace, we should look no further than the conversion of St. Paul the Apostle. This is not because grace is always so dramatic as to convert a murderer on the Damascus Road, but because grace can be so dramatic as to convert a murderer on the Damascus Road. As Paul…
C.S. Lewis and the Fullness of Joy
I cannot imagine a more fitting tribute to the work of Jesus in the life of author, professor, and apologist C.S. Lewis than Psalm 16:12: You shall show me the path of life; in your presence is the fullness of joy, and at your right hand there is pleasure for evermore. Most deeply, this psalm…
Defending Marriage at Oxford
The Ven. Dr. Peter Johnston, Ministry President of Anglican Compass, interviews Calvin Robinson, who has previously served in the Free Church of England, Nordic Catholic Church, and Anglican Catholic Church, about his participation in a debate at the Oxford Union in Oxford, UK, on whether Christianity should allow same-sex marriage. In his speech, he defended…
