People these days are forever claiming that we live in a “Post-Something” world. There was talk a few years ago that we might be living in a Post-Racial society, meaning that racial differences don’t matter so much any more. Then the number of white supremacist groups shot up, under various euphemistic titles and disclaimers, while a string of tragic incidents led to the declaration that Black Lives…
This month, a few more-or-less random weekly observations on the matter of heritage, as Westminster celebrates its 70th anniversary year. Some years ago I had occasion to visit Scotland, where about half of my ancestors came from—which makes me a typical western Pennsylvania Presbyterian, by the way. In preparation for the trip I invested a little time and money in a genealogy program and m…
Christ is bigger than Christianity. The one whose birth we celebrate at Christmas is the one who makes all things new. He is Lord of heaven and earth, not just the Lord of Christians and the church, and in the end he will redeem all of creation. It’s fitting, then, that the very last chapter of the Bible should turn up in Advent, since the Alpha is also the Omega. The beginning and the ending, a…
“How good it is to sing praises to our God,” the psalmist says, “for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting.” Grace, of course, is unmerited favor, being treated better than we deserve. People have a strong sense of deserving these days, and when we get what we deserve there’s no reason to be especially grateful. But grace, that quality of blessing people freely out of sheer good will, is so fre…
“Do not put your trust in princes,” the psalmist says. They are mere mortals, their means are limited, and whatever plans they have die with them. An unspoken corollary would be not to despair over princes either. It’s true that a bad leader might make a mess of things, and the worst can do a world of damage. But even the most terrible regimes come to an end eventually, and no matter what else is go…
