The Templeton Committee met for the first time on October 21, 2015. Pastor Michael Tavella had received a $5000 grant from the John Templeton Foundation through the auspices of Earl Whipple, a staff member of the organization and a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. The grant will be used to develop a manual for churches and individual Christians on how we should conduct ourselves when in conversation with atheists and others who do not attend Church (the “nones”), either one on one or in a public forum. The biblical basis for the project is I Peter 3: 15b-16. The proposal includes field testing the manual in church adult classes and then holding at least one public forum in which Christians and non-Christians dialogue with one another. These conversations will constitute a Christian defense of the faith (ἀπολογία, apologia, English-apology) and a witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
These days, many American seem to have great trouble with authority of any kind whether it be religious, familial, educational, governmental, etc. Some educational leaders and civil servants have supported this tendency of disrespect. The result of this erosion of respect for authority is increased public disorder, crime, and contempt for others. Those in authority…
In the Gospel of John, the Greek word for world can mean two things. First, world describes the inhabited universe. We humans are in and part of the world. It is stated in this gospel that the world needs a Savior. This implication connects it to the second meaning that suggests the opposition between the…
The flickering flame was the only light in the darkened church, When I arrived to take a seat in a choir pew, Away from the spiritual amnesia that comes from daily life. In this holy place the soul can hear God speak anew. The hours fled swiftly, as I fell more deeply into my…
The azure sky and verdant land meet quite afar Along a rippling line of undulating hills. It was so vast that I imagined myself consumed By a giant chthonic god in whose maw I was entombed. And then again I found myself in a Daoist scape, So small and frail among the giants of…
I took a handful of leaves to smell And pressed them gently against my face. What delight can be found in a silly thing. What joy like a child’s such play can bring. The scent was not of frankincense or myrrh, But earthy, giving the sense a stir, And sharing in the incense of…
Beneath dressed stone of the medieval age, Enclosed in darkness lies the more ancient grave Of its sacred occupant, empty after three days, Through which Christ the Lord our sins forgave. A garden and then a pagan fane To the Roman goddess of beauty and love Was founded upon the Mount of the Skull…
Swirling and Swirling and Swirling and Swirling. Maelstrom to storm to the galaxy’s center. Turbulence, mayhem, confusion, disorder. In the beginning the earth was shapeless. Darkness covered the face of the deep. God said, “Let there be light.” And it was. Thence–order, calm, and arrangement Entered the world and kept chaos back. To us…
We are now in the midst of the Lenten season. At this time of year we devote ourselves with special emphasis and intention to the theme of repentance and renewal. The entire life of the Christian is one of return to the Lord. We are a people, who despite our faith grounded in Baptism, yet…
Emptiness is a room without furniture. Emptiness is a chair where the beloved once sat. Emptiness is a graveyard. Emptiness is a place where people should be, but are neither seen nor heard. Emptiness is a cityscape in shambles, a Dresden, Hiroshima, London, or the Bronx Emptiness is an abandoned church. Emptiness is…
The brazen eagle stood upon the sphere With wings outspread in readiness for flight, Upholding on its figure words of light, The faithful came with solemn hearts to hear. As sacred text was heedfully proclaimed, A fiery burst obscured the avian perch And caused a gasp inside the crowded church. Stained glass was then…
