In the spring of 1996, Christian de Cherge, prior of a Cistercian community at Tibhirine, Algeria, and six of his fellow monks were beheaded by GIA, the Armed Islamist Group. These men knew full well that their lives were in great danger, but they refused to leave the place where they shared so much of …
The Needed Touch
Jesus called her 'daughter' - θυγάτηρ. I bet no one had called her that in a real face-to-face encounter. Certainly not in the 12 years that she had the flow of blood, which made her untouchable, an outcast from society. She was cured by being recognized, by being loved, by entering relationship. But it started …
World Gone Haywire
Amazing words spoken by Dietrich Bonhoeffer on August 29, 1932 - 90 years ago, but just as pertinent today, as the Russian Orthodox Patriarch and several other Orthodox hierarchs in Russia and elsewhere continue to support and even promote Putin's illegal and criminal war against Ukraine. Note especially his statement: "The church forsakes obedience whenever …
8 Months Later
As I posted earlier tonight I realized that it's almost 8 months since the last time I posted on this blog, whose premium status I did not even renew when it came up for renewal earlier this year. Eight months is a long spell of silence. Except I have not been silent; I have been …
Trinity is not a number
The feast of Epiphany in the western churches celebrates the visit of the Magi to the new-born Jesus. Hence, it is celebrated as the revelation of Jesus to the nations. In the Orthodox Church it’s celebrated as the Baptism of Jesus Christ. Theophany = the revelation of God. The revelation of God as Trinity. Baptism …
Giving Thanks in a Pandemic
On this Thanksgiving Day, I’m reminded of a remarkable man who was my teacher at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary: Father Alexander Schmemann. Father Schmemann of blessed memory celebrated his last Thanksgiving on November 24th, 1983. Less than three weeks later he passed on to eternity. On that Thanksgiving Day he celebrated the Liturgy at the …
A Psalm for the time of Covid
Psalm 42 As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God.My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.When shall I come and behold the face of God?My tears have been my food day and night,while people say to me continually, “Where is your God?”These things I remember, as I pour out my soul:how I …
The Emptiness of God
A provocative title? What could I possibly mean by such a seemingly contradictory title? How could I associate emptiness with God? God, who is the fullness of everything? Jesus Christ, whose fullness becomes our fullness? (See Ephesians 3:19 & 4:13.) Ah, but that's the problem with language, with human language! We interpret God's fullness in …
Questions about this website
Is there still a need for me to call this website Ancient Answers? What can ancient thoughts possibly offer in answer to the problems of today? My 'ancient answers' have usually come from the Bible or ecclesial/patristic theology and spirituality. But at the same time that I've looked to ancient answers, I've also been drawn …
Life in the time of Coronavirus
The psalms often speak against 'enemies' and often plead for God's protection against these enemies. Our biggest enemy today is the coronavirus pandemic which is threatening lives everywhere. So, replace 'They' in this verse with 'It' and it becomes a plea for protection against the 'enemy' coronavirus. (My Logos/Faithllife software provides me with many illustrated …
Ancient Answers 