As the stars in order going,All-harmonious, He doth move;Heavenly calm and comfort showing,Comes the healing word of love.Who the word of wisdom hearethFeels the Father Love within,Where as dawn the shadow cleareth,Love outshines the night of sin.- Hymn 263 I’m part way through Small Creatures Such As We, Finding Wonder and Meaning in Our Unlikely … Continue reading Confession, Atonement & Redemption
Category: Bible
the new Missionaries & Santa
The other evening as I was preparing dinner, three young women knocked on our door. They introduced themselves as the "new missionaries" in town and wanted to "share a message" with us. I politely declined, wished them a good evening and closed the door. They looked mildly surprised, but took my rejection well. Kid2, who … Continue reading the new Missionaries & Santa
a rainbow does not make up for the annihilation of mankind
The other night Kid2 wanted to read the story of Noah's Ark. We have an older children's copy probably first published sometime in the 70s. It was my husbands when he was a child, and as great flood stories are common in many cultures, I figured why not. I did my best to read in a … Continue reading a rainbow does not make up for the annihilation of mankind
The Slut Shaming, Sex-Negative Message in the Virgin Birth—It’s Worth a Family Conversation
I had Sunday School teachers who insisted that Christian Science takes the “inspired” word of the Bible, and that the stories were “allegorical.” The virgin birth story (inspired allegory or not) always made me a bit uncomfortable. See also, http://valerietarico.com/2014/12/09/the-not-so-virgin-birth-of-the-christmas-story/ on how Jesus’ birth became more virginal and miraculous.
The birth story of baby Jesus celebrates the promise of new life, but for girls it also sends a harmful message. How can we acknowledge this without spoiling the rest?
Most Americans, even many who are not very religious, look forward to Christmas as a time to celebrate warmth, friendship, generosity and good cheer. Familiar festivities weave together stories and traditions from many cultures, which makes it easy to find something for everyone. But maybe it’s time to look a little closer at the Christmas story itself.
The birth story of the baby Jesus is heartwarming and iconic—the promise of new life and new hope in a time of darkness. It has inspired centuries of maternal art and is the best loved of all Bible stories. It also has a darker subtext, especially for someone like me—the mother of two daughters.
In the story, an angel appears to a virgin…
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what their itching ears want to hear – new wine-old bottles, Mary Baker Eddy & Luke 5:36-39
Back in May, when I wrote about Ms. Eddy and alcohol, I came across a parable that was largely overlooked by my Sunday School teachers, it comes from Luke 5:36-39 and it talks about wine. "And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if … Continue reading what their itching ears want to hear – new wine-old bottles, Mary Baker Eddy & Luke 5:36-39
What I’ve been reading: Cold Case Christian Science
A Brief Overview of the Christian Science Worldview via Cold Case Christianity http://coldcasechristianity.com/2014/a-brief-overview-of-the-christian-science-worldview/ 13 Important Questions for the Christian Science Worldview via Cold Case Christianity http://coldcasechristianity.com/2014/13-important-questions-for-the-christian-science-worldview/
what I’ve been watching: Coersion for Christ
Kidnapped For Christ Official Trailer the NYTimes piece The Kids Aren’t All Right, and Neither Is the School ‘Kidnapped for Christ’ Investigates a Boarding School via Awkward Moments Children's Bible CHILD COERCION IN PROGRESS via Stop Religious Child Abuse https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=754250287950673
Hey, Christians. Feeling Persecuted? Don’t Be Evil!
Some light reading for your weekend.
In the debris of the Hobby Lobby ruling, the Atlanta Banana published a satirical news report: Little Caesar’s Pizza had been granted the religious freedom to feed Christian employees to lions.
Never mind that the trope of Christians getting fed to lions may have been made up by early Christians themselves; the Little Caesar story was almost inevitable. Faced with a barrage of conscience claims, frustrated secularists are wondering whether there’s any limit to the privileges some people will claim in the name of “religious freedom” or any limit to the exemptions and entitlements they will be granted by co-religionists in positions of power.
Turning frustration into humor is a time honored tradition, but serious Bible believers are unlikely to find the Little Caesar’s story funny. The notion of martyrdom as the apogee of faith is as old as the Catholic Church. To quote Christian History for Everyman…
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A Parable
I came across this in a collection of essays entitled The Truth about Jesus : Is He a Myth? compiled by M. M. Mangasarian, I found it again, online at http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net. I am reminded of the opening of Lord of the Rings (the movie): much that once was is now lost, for none now live … Continue reading A Parable
look at all my trials & tribulations, sinking in a gentle pool of wine
(1) It surprises some of my fellow former-Christian Scientists that while I have left the Mother Church, and no longer follow (or believe) in the teachings of Ms. Eddy, I continue to refrain from imbibing alcohol. I don't drink wine, beer, or cocktails. I don't enjoy vodka, tequila, or spirits. I've had a few sips … Continue reading look at all my trials & tribulations, sinking in a gentle pool of wine
kind-ism 