Category Archives: +The Prayers

Spirituality, Liturgy, Worship

On Strange Liturgical Bedfellows

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Darrell Pursiful

David Koysis note a phenomenon that has also stumped me for some time: The tendency for North American evangelicals to defend the fundamentals of the faith while largely abandoning the older liturgical traditions is something that not enough observers have … Continue reading →

Posted in Mere Catholicity, Praying Together | 2 Comments

Resisting the Gospels

Posted on April 29, 2012 by Darrell Pursiful

Good stuff from Tim Gombis. Well, not good, but worth reading: It goes beyond unintentionally cultivated habits.  I think that reading the Gospels for what they’re really saying threatens to upset and destabilize our church community dynamics that have become … Continue reading →

Posted in Life as Prayer, Ministry, New Testament, Theology | Leave a comment

Harry Potter and the Communion of Saints?

Posted on April 20, 2012 by Darrell Pursiful

In May I’ll be teaching a Sunday school class at my church on the Communion of Saints. I know, that’s not really a hot topic for Baptists, but strangely enough that is what they wanted me to talk about. So … Continue reading →

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Dayyenu

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Darrell Pursiful

Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman imparts some Seder wisdom for our time: But think of it. When is it normal to plead, “Enough”? Not when we don’t deserve something, but when we don’t really want it. It is as if, at each … Continue reading →

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Repost: Joseph of Nazareth, Pray with Us

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Darrell Pursiful

To the extent that it is possible for a lifelong Baptist to have a patron saint, Joseph of Nazareth is one of two that I will claim. (The other is Vincent of Lérins, whose feast day is May 24.) I’m … Continue reading →

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Early Christian Worship

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Darrell Pursiful

Larry Hurtado has made available PDFs of two new articles he has written for the New Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, one on “Worship, NT Christian” and one on “Christology.”  Given his lament about the lack of enthusiasm for the … Continue reading →

Posted in +The Breaking of Bread, New Testament, Praying Together | Leave a comment

Happy Thanksgiving

Posted on November 24, 2011 by Darrell Pursiful

I’m thankful for The love of God, the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit A loving, longsuffering wife A brilliant, happy, healthy ten-year-old daughter Freedom to practice my faith without anybody looking over … Continue reading →

Posted in Life as Prayer, Who? Me? | 1 Comment

Spiritual Detox

Posted on November 22, 2011 by Darrell Pursiful

Here is something to cleanse the palate before heading into the craziness of Thanksgiving/Black Friday. We, who mystically represent the Cherubim, And chant the thrice-holy hymn to the Life-giving Trinity, Let us set aside the cares of life That we … Continue reading →

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Random Thought

Posted on November 3, 2011 by Darrell Pursiful

Jesus’ enemies denounced him as a friend of sinners. He never denied the charge. In fact he augmented it: “I’ve come for people who are sick, not those who are healthy.” It seems to me we do a disservice to … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Life as Prayer, Ministry, Theology | 2 Comments

Columbus Day Reading: The People and the Black Book

Posted on October 10, 2011 by Darrell Pursiful

Whatever else you do this Columbus Day, please read this column by Mark Buchanan. Please. “It must be hard for you,” I said to the First Nations people, “to believe that salvation has come to my house when I refuse … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Life as Prayer, Ministry | Tagged | Leave a comment