Lent with the Poets #4. Series Introduction is here. Why are some writers of faith celebrated in American Christianity while others are not? That is my question about today’s poet, Denise Levertov. Among Christians devoted to the arts, Levertov is profoundly appreciated. Yet she hasn’t received the wider acclaim and affection that many afford to Frederick…
Good Friday and the Language of Sacrifice
Shouldn’t Good Friday be called “Bad” Friday? After all, it’s when Jesus was crucified. Radical Sin, Radical Savior It was a horrible thing that we human beings killed our creator. He came to us in lowly form, as a poor baby in a manger. He taught, he healed, he preached, he loved, he forgave. And…
Showing the Spirit
At a clergy retreat, I once asked a fellow priest what his church was like. He said that his parish had two groups of people. He raised both hands high in the air, turned his face to the heavens, closed his eyes, and swayed gently. “That’s the first group,” he said. Then, he clasped his…
What do Anglicans Believe about Holy Baptism?
All Christians, not just Anglicans, should trust their baptism. If they believe that Baptism is something God does in and for us, not something we do. And that is exactly how the early Church and the Reformers saw this sacrament! God brings people to the water of baptism. He sends his Holy Spirit into their…
After Communion: A Rookie Anglican Guide to the Post-Communion Liturgies
What happens when a worshipper approaches God with faith in Christ through the liturgies of Word and Sacrament? What happens after we come by faith to receive Holy Communion? Anglicans believe that the worship experience has a transformative effect on the worshipper. The people of God change as they spend time together in the presence…
Infant Baptism: Why do Anglicans Baptize Babies?
Why baptize infants? The Anglican theme verse for children would have to be, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19.14 Starting very early in the life of the Christian Church, Christian children were seen as members of the covenant community…
How to Read Scripture
In the Parable of the Talents, Jesus pictures God investing in us. The investments are gifts of his grace that empower us to bear fruit for his kingdom. One of those great gifts we enjoy is the wide accessibility of the Bible in English, with high literacy rates, and the ability of pastors to be educated…
Prayers of the People
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE The Prayers of the People is the moment in which the participation of all of the people in worship is very visible. These prayers are generally led by lay ministers, and are reflective of the range of prayer concerns given to us in Scripture and of the beautiful variety of…
