Category Religion

Not What I Thought

Once I was inside, I realized I hadn’t understoodhe sign at all. The church wasn’t that old, despite being an “old Catholic church.” Somehow I missed that “Old Catholic” was a denomination. It didn’t look like a church from the exterior, which is probably why I walked past a few dozen times over the past […]

But Is It Really A Church?

It was quite different from what expected. I walked by this church on a couple occasions last year, but didn’t have the opportunity to go in. Turns out it is a church, and not a church at the same time. They call it an “open church,” whatever that means. St. Elizabeth’s is trying to do […]

The Acropolis – III – Erechtheion

It is a hill full of ruins that dominates Athens. Today we continue our tour with the Erechtheion, a temple dedicated to Athena, goddess of wisdom, and Poseidon, god of the sea. The ancient Greeks (and their Roman counterparts) had lots of gods, none of who seem to have been able to deliver in a […]

Standing on Mars Hill

It is just a hunk of rock, not what I was expecting. But what an historical piece of rock. I had expected to see ruined buildings, but it turns out there never were any on Mars Hill. The topography doesn’t allow it – too uneven, I guess. In ancient Athens it was a meeting place, […]

Science Meets Religion

When I first saw the t-shirt in a store window I knew I had to buy it. Of course it would be on a Sunday and the store was closed. For those who don’t speak German, the words are from of Genesis 1:3. And gott Sprach means “And God spoke.” Und es ward Licht is “and […]

No Room For Hate

  Whether it is killings at a mosque in New Zealand, church bombings in Sri Lanka or the mostly unreported violence against Christians in the Middle East, the attacks have a common theme. The perpetrators are motivated by hate. Maybe it is coincidence, but the Lutheran churches in Lippstadt, Germany (and elsewhere for all I […]

Feminism 101

  After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb… 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped […]

Only Half The Story

The poster I saw downtown was designed to shock. I think it succeeded. Too bad the people behind it didn’t know what they were saying. It is advertising a small music festival in Freiburg, Germany, one that started yesterday and ends today. My guess is that all the bands sound the same. By telling you […]

Why They Call It Good Friday

How is it possible to believe, how can anyone believe without fear and trembling that all of God was present in a man? Who can believe that God incarnate is dying on a cross? No reasonable being can accept such an implausible and frightening revelation, the impact of which always makes one reassess everything. – […]

Behold the Lamb!

I think it is a cake, though I am really not sure. At least it isn’t an Easter egg. Easter is this Sunday, for those who aren’t part of the Orthodox tradition. That means Friday is a holiday. Sunday as well. Monday too in many places. I gather this Easter Lamb is a fairly popular […]