Driving around town I’ve noticed the enthusiasm for Halloween.  The decorations are elaborate and “scary.”  Why such an interest in this holiday? Halloween goes back to Celtic new year (Samhain, pronounced sow-win).    On the eve of the new year, as darkness becomes pre-eminent, it was believed among the Celts…

I’ve been reading The Creedal Imperative by Carl Trueman. There’s a little Trueman and a little Tavella in the following words.   It has inspired me to write a few lines about the relationship between praise, creed, and apologetics and guided me in what to say. A number of hymns are found…

Midway upon the journey of our life I found myself within a forest dark, For the straight-forward pathway had been lost. Ah me! how hard a thing it is to say What was this forest savage, rough, and stern, Which in the very thought renews the fear. (Inferno, Dante Alighieri,…

When we direct our witness to the public or to an individual, we must use discernment when speaking the faith to others.   Who they are and the conduct of their lives are things we must heed. We are not addressing an abstraction, concept or idea.  We are speaking to a…

The farmers’ fields are a sullen brown, though patches keep their green in protest of the triumph of relentless winter. The land wears a dingy gown.   Sweet scents of summer air and the panorama of green inspire thoughts of paradise, give hope to those who despair.   But the…

Apologetics must deal with the question of ethics.  Some people find Christian teaching on this matter to be contradictory to their own perspective. Some self-consciously reject Christian views.  This situation is promoted to a great extent by the moral climate of America.  There has been a notable decline in the…

Cacophony and euphony are words that derive from the Greek language.  The former means bad sound; the latter means good sound.  Our environment is full of bad sounds–an indication that nihilism has made deep inroads into our consciousness.  The music combines harsh sounds with harsh words.  It fills the air…

The promotion of truth is of the greatest importance.  Lies, deceptions, stratagems, duplicity, and a host of other impediments to the Good are to be rejected by those who would follow Christ.  It is true that such a devotion could lead one into suffering.  We possess the basic human instinct…

One can not fight at the same time for both power and truth.  Is this true?  In politics,  fighting for the truth may cause one to lose an election.  One must stand with what will promote victory against an opponent whether true or not.  We have heard many lies during…

The topic of apology can be a subject of debate.  If one is planning such a thing, one needs to be aware that certain rules apply.  A well-planned debate prevents participants’ talking over one another or yelling at one another. Gentleness and respect should guide the meeting.  Below is an…