miscellany [ mis-uh-ley-nee], noun
1. a miscellaneous collection or group of various or somewhat unrelated items2. a miscellaneous collection of literary compositions or pieces by several authors, dealing with various topics, assembled in a volume or book
The things that resonated most with me this week were seemingly unrelated: the state of the faith in America and two pieces about keeping the 'main thing' the main thing. On the surface, they may seem unrelated, but I think the exact opposite is true.
miscellany [ mis-uh-ley-nee], noun
1. a miscellaneous collection or group of various or somewhat unrelated items2. a miscellaneous collection of literary compositions or pieces by several authors, dealing with various topics, assembled in a volume or book
Only one quote and one article this week...I've let both simmer for a while but would like to share them.
miscellany [ mis-uh-ley-nee], noun
1. a miscellaneous collection or group of various or somewhat unrelated items2. a miscellaneous collection of literary compositions or pieces by several authors, dealing with various topics, assembled in a volume or book
It's been a long while since I posted any miscellanies...until recently, it had been a long time since I posted anything. Miscellanies are back as a list of the most interesting things I came across in the previous week that I think are worth reading and considering, as informed, historic Christians. With pithy re-introductions aside, here is this week's list.
Here is a running list of all the tags used at “Taking Thoughts Captive.” Clicking on any of them will take you to a page with all the posts having that particular tag, just like an index.
miscellany [ mis-uh-ley-nee], noun
1. a miscellaneous collection or group of various or somewhat unrelated items2. a miscellaneous collection of literary compositions or pieces by several authors, dealing with various topics, assembled in a volume or book
It's been awhile since I noted anything truly worth sharing, but this week is truly an exception. I'm going to share a single article in hopes that you will read and re-read it. It is pointed, thought-provoking, and spot on (in my opinion). Pr. Peters has done the church another great service with this piece.
miscellany [ mis-uh-ley-nee], noun
1. a miscellaneous collection or group of various or somewhat unrelated items2. a miscellaneous collection of literary compositions or pieces by several authors, dealing with various topics, assembled in a volume or book
Real Worship. This is a reposting of an article originally written in 2011. In my opinion, as a retired Air Force chaplain, it is one of the best short pieces I've ever read that focuses us on the realities and importance of worship in an ultimate sense—think about gathering to worship this Sunday after our building had been bombed into oblivion. Would you bother getting out of bed to do it? If you truly believe that we meet our Lord in a real, unique way that is unlike any other time of the week you definitely would. Unfortunately, many American Christians don't have this understanding of worship, and we are impoverished as a result.
miscellany [ mis-uh-ley-nee], noun
1. a miscellaneous collection or group of various or somewhat unrelated items2. a miscellaneous collection of literary compositions or pieces by several authors, dealing with various topics, assembled in a volume or book
The Screwtape Election. If you've not read C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters, you should. It's a funny piece of fiction describing an experienced demon, Screwtape, offering advice to his bumbling idiot relation, Wormwood, on how to be a better demon. It's hilarious. It's light, but it also reveals a lot about humanity and the ways of the world.
miscellany [ mis-uh-ley-nee], noun
1. a miscellaneous collection or group of various or somewhat unrelated items2. a miscellaneous collection of literary compositions or pieces by several authors, dealing with various topics, assembled in a volume or book
As election season gets into high gear, there is more and more ink spilled (and electrons rearranged) on political topics. Instead of just linking article after article after article on politics, which is wearying—at best—I'm linking broader articles that are older than just this week to keep it interesting!
miscellany [ mis-uh-ley-nee], noun
1. a miscellaneous collection or group of various or somewhat unrelated items2. a miscellaneous collection of literary compositions or pieces by several authors, dealing with various topics, assembled in a volume or book
An Embassy In an Alien Land. As always, Pr. Peters has some well-thought out reflections on the relationship of the Church to the world. The Orthodox often use the metaphor of the Church as a “hospital” insofar as we are made up of fatally flawed, sinful individuals which will continue to struggle with sin until their dying day.
miscellany [ mis-uh-ley-nee], noun
1. a miscellaneous collection or group of various or somewhat unrelated items2. a miscellaneous collection of literary compositions or pieces by several authors, dealing with various topics, assembled in a volume or book
Igniting Holy Fire: Lessons from the Ancient Church. “For some time, church growth was predicated on the notion of making the church feel welcoming and comfortable. Contemporary music, good coffee, a casual atmosphere, a great children’s program, and the absence of 'religious' rituals brought people in the door. Once they were in, so this line of thinking went, they could hear the message of the Gospel, get to know other Christians, join a small group, and thereby grow in the knowledge and love of God. The problem was, while the crowds were large, large numbers didn’t necessarily translate into individual personal growth in Christ. The Willow Creek Reveal study, for example, indicated a disconnect between attendance and transformation. As it turns out, making church as comfortable and easy as possible isn’t the best way forward. Rather, it makes the church simply one more consumeristic commodity.”