This week, many Christian denominations remember Bartolomé de Las Casas (1484-1566), who served as a missionary in the Indies. For example, here’s what the Evangelical Lutheran Church remembrance says about Bartolomé: A native of Spain, Las Casas first came to the Western hemisphere while serving in the military. Upon arriving in the West, Las Casas […]
Continue ReadingCategory: A philosopher loose in church
Remembering Anselm of Canterbury
Yesterday, April 21, was the feast day of St. Anselm of Canterbury (1033/34—1109). As I did earlier this year with Thomas Aquinas, I want to take a moment to commemorate Anselm by sharing my relationship with him as a philosopher. Just about every semester, I teach introduction to philosophy, and in my course we spend […]
Continue ReadingRemembering Thomas Aquinas
Today, January 28, is the feast day and birthday of St. Thomas Aquinas (1225—1274). Thomas is celebrated by many in the Christian tradition, often in terms like this: One of the most brilliant and creative theologians in the church’s history, Aquinas worked to bring together scripture and the philosophy of Aristotle. A member of the […]
Continue ReadingSing for your Bs
Each year, the church where I am organist takes one Sunday to celebrate music. Yesterday was Celebration of Music Sunday, and in a coincidence. Yesterday was our annual Celebration of Music (and happy mother’s day!), and in a striking coincidence, yesterday I happened on a fascinating article about — singing. Singing has been studied from […]
Continue ReadingThy Kingdom Come
Nearly every Christian will recognize the Lord’s Prayer, but in spite of its familiarity — or maybe because of it — there might be a few surprises lurking in the text. Today, I’m going to talk about one “clause” in the prayer in the light of the Kingdom teaching (with a little Greek lesson as […]
Continue ReadingWhy Church Musicians are So Grumpy
Prelude I have been a church musician for nearly 50 years. How it all started is a story I may tell in due course, but for the moment, my focus is a bit different. As the years have passed, I’ve seen many young musicians begin a career in church music on fire with the inspiration […]
Continue ReadingAnniversary
Those of you who follow my blog know that I took a week off from posting. I’m a philosopher, so it definitely was not because I didn’t have anything to say. 😉 Actually, I was celebrating a significant anniversary of excellencifying: This past Sunday was my 36th anniversary as principal organist at a local Lutheran […]
Continue ReadingIn case you’re wondering
I’ve gotten a few questions from some of my long-time readers about my series, A Philosopher Loose in Church. Most of you know me as a philosopher, and you probably know that I’m perfectly comfortable as a conceptual atheist. But a few of you have reached out to probe (very tactfully) into my motivation for […]
Continue ReadingPractically speaking
The gospel reading for the First Sunday in Lent, from Mark 1, recounts the familiar scene of Jesus’ baptism by John in the Jordan River. We tend to focus on the dramatic parts of that story: The cleaving of the heavens, the booming voice announcing the Beloved, the Spirit descending like a dove. But right […]
Continue ReadingNathanael’s Attitude
Before we continue, I have a brief assignment: Have another look at yesterday’s gospel reading, John 1:43-51. Pay particular attention to Nathanael. Ready? Let’s dive in. Did Jesus’ comment about Nathanael strike you? “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” Surely that’s a compliment when it comes from no less a […]
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