Category Archives: Theology

Is repentance turning away or turning toward?

Posted on July 27, 2009 by Rick

The senior pastor and about half the ministerial staff are at Kid’s Camp so I was asked to speak to Evensong last Sunday night. The senior pastor let me know that the theme for the last few weeks has been … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Practice, Mark, Theology | Comments Off

Presiding Bishop is right – in all the wrong ways

Posted on July 14, 2009 by Rick

One hardly knows where to start. General Convention 2009 of the Episcopal Church began on July 7. In her opening remarks the Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori had many things to say but this paragraph in particular has attracted attention: The … Continue reading →

Posted in Anglicanism, Logic and Reason, Rhetoric, Theology | Comments Off

Vladimir Lossky and the practicality of "orthodox" theology

Posted on July 6, 2009 by Rick

The “Introduction” to The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church by Vladimir Lossky was an important turning point in my growing awareness of the importance of sound theology in the Christian life and in the Christian church. This is not … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Orthodoxy, Theology | Comments Off

Metropolitan Jonah and Anglicanism as Western Orthodoxy redux

Posted on June 29, 2009 by Rick

One of my very first posts on this website was about Anglican Christianity as Western Orthodoxy. That is – if Anglican Christianity either reinvents or rediscovers itself as Western Orthodoxy – as a Western expression of Orthodox Christianity. One does … Continue reading →

Posted in Anglicanism, Ecclesiology, Orthodoxy, Theology | 1 Comment

(The?) Pragmatic Truth of (the) Resurrection (or) Easter Sunday sermon

Posted on April 15, 2009 by Rick

“The(?) Pragmatic Truth of (the) Resurrection” or “It Is True Because It Works/It Works Because It Is True” 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Easter/Resurrection Sunday | April 12, 2009 Richard M. Wright Church of the Nations It Works Because It Is True … Continue reading →

Posted in Sermons, Theology | Comments Off

"Being Theologically Conservative"

Posted on April 13, 2009 by Rick

My friend Joshua (whom I get to visit when in Atlanta for Catalyst Conference) is a self-described “Socially Liberal, Theologically Conservative, Protestant” whose political views are “Very Liberal”. My intent here is not to debate or quibble with the “socially/politically … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Education, Personal, Sabbath, Theology | Comments Off

God and the compression of time

Posted on April 11, 2009 by Rick

This evening I attended Vespers (with a chrismation) at St Matthew the Apostle Orthodox Church. Fr Mark greeted me and then we had a brief exchange about how today is both Holy Saturday (for me – Western calendar) and Palm … Continue reading →

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I may have to repent of my regard for certain "emergent" writers like Brian McLaren

Posted on April 8, 2009 by Rick

I am losing my regard for certain “emergent” writers such as Brian McLaren. Sorry. When I first read his book a generous orthodoxy I agreed and resonated with 90+% of it. I thought “this is what I have believed for … Continue reading →

Posted in Religion, Rhetoric, Society and Culture, Theology | 2 Comments

REVIEW – The Great *Assimilation* by Phyllis Tickle (or) Resistance is futile

Posted on February 26, 2009 by Rick

“Emergent” Christianity resembles the Borg (of Star Trek) to the extent that Phyllis Tickle and her book truly are representative. With one important flaw which I will mention later. Let me state at the outset this is not the “full” … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Media, Religion, Theology | 2 Comments

Why religion and science need not conflict

Posted on February 16, 2009 by Rick

I have been slogging through The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church by Vladimir Lossky (a little light reading – actually I barely understand a fraction of it) and in his chapter on “Created Beings” came across this interesting section: … Continue reading →

Posted in Orthodoxy, Religion, Science, Theology | Comments Off