If you consider the communal and almost monastic lifestyle of the Amish of modern times, and the pacificism of contemporary Anabaptists some of this history may be disturbing. More familiar would be the words and descriptions of St Francis' and his followers below. "If we had any possessions we should need weapons and laws to defend them." -St. Francis of Assisi "Possessing … [Read more...]
The Onion, The Middle-Class, and the Suppression of the Spiritual Franciscans
"one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." - Jesus (Lk. 12:15) This post was inspired by a story I read from the Onion today that was incredibly accurate in its satire. Every time I meet someone I know in the streets or see a person at a party, the question that almost immediately arises is "where are you working?" For Anglo-Americans work is a … [Read more...]
Hymn History: O Love That Will Not Let Me Go
In 1862 George Matheson had a great deal going for him. He had been a successful student in classics, logic, and philosophy from the University of Glasgow, and at the age of 20 he was engaged to marry a young woman he loved. However, that year, he became ill and tragically lost his sight. Rather than be comforted by his betrothed, the story goes that his fiance said that she … [Read more...]
This Vale of Tears: Leo, Fenelon, and Greene on Christian Life
"nothing is more effectual in prevailing with God than that a man should judge himself and never cease from asking pardon, knowing that he is never without fault. For human nature has this flaw ... from the corruptible body springs that which may corrupt the soul also. Hence although the inner man be now reborn in Christ and rescued from the bonds of captivity, it has unceasing … [Read more...]
The Borgias and the Lutheran Reformation
I consider myself a very Traditional and Catholic Lutheran. I love the Roman Catholic Church, and I hope and pray for the day when the Lutheran Gospel of salvation by grace alone will be sounded in its Cathedrals, and the Church reunited. In any case, in my sojourning outside the Roman Communion, I still enjoy getting glimpses of it and feel a need to keep learning about the … [Read more...]