Funny you should bring up Kathleen Norris. I was reminded of her just this Thursday as I took a personal retreat day at a local retreat center (St. Raphaela's). In my journaling and reflecting, I was reminded of her book that I read in my early days of parenting- The Quotidian Mysteries. When life feels like Groundhog Day, her words (and Brother Lawrence's) remind me that I can find meaning and glorify God in the minutiae of the day. I will have to look into her new book as well; thank you for the rec.
I LOVE The Quotidian Mysteries. It is SO good. This book is very different--more memoir and also trying to tell her sister's story. It did make me wonder, though, about how the experience of being a sibling of a disabled sister shaped her faith and thinking.
I agree the evangelical gospel needs more focus on the resurrection as discussed. Yet in so doing the cross need not be diminished. Personal sin (both irreligious and religious forms) and it’s effects must be dealt with. Perhaps another issue is that our proclamation of the cross is too limited in scope. In addition to it being the place of forgiveness, it is also the starting place of healing. By his wounds we are healed. Healing from the damage caused by our own sin, yes, but also from the unjust wounds incurred uniquely against each of us as we endure a sinful, broken world. I think proclaiming the cross as for forgiveness AND healing is a more faithful witness to Christ.
I totally agree that our discussion of the cross (and sin) are too limited in scope. They should very much include the individual and my personal sin, and yet the problem of sin is so much bigger than me and the love that God offers to overcome that problem is also so much bigger than me. The cross deals not just with my personal problems but with the cosmic forces of evil and darkness, not to mention the injustices of the ages. I love your point that the cross involves both forgiveness and healing. Thank you!
I also appreciated that David French piece!
Funny you should bring up Kathleen Norris. I was reminded of her just this Thursday as I took a personal retreat day at a local retreat center (St. Raphaela's). In my journaling and reflecting, I was reminded of her book that I read in my early days of parenting- The Quotidian Mysteries. When life feels like Groundhog Day, her words (and Brother Lawrence's) remind me that I can find meaning and glorify God in the minutiae of the day. I will have to look into her new book as well; thank you for the rec.
I LOVE The Quotidian Mysteries. It is SO good. This book is very different--more memoir and also trying to tell her sister's story. It did make me wonder, though, about how the experience of being a sibling of a disabled sister shaped her faith and thinking.
I agree the evangelical gospel needs more focus on the resurrection as discussed. Yet in so doing the cross need not be diminished. Personal sin (both irreligious and religious forms) and it’s effects must be dealt with. Perhaps another issue is that our proclamation of the cross is too limited in scope. In addition to it being the place of forgiveness, it is also the starting place of healing. By his wounds we are healed. Healing from the damage caused by our own sin, yes, but also from the unjust wounds incurred uniquely against each of us as we endure a sinful, broken world. I think proclaiming the cross as for forgiveness AND healing is a more faithful witness to Christ.
I totally agree that our discussion of the cross (and sin) are too limited in scope. They should very much include the individual and my personal sin, and yet the problem of sin is so much bigger than me and the love that God offers to overcome that problem is also so much bigger than me. The cross deals not just with my personal problems but with the cosmic forces of evil and darkness, not to mention the injustices of the ages. I love your point that the cross involves both forgiveness and healing. Thank you!