Writing on mortality in the journal First Things, graduate philosophy student Anna Mathie relates what she describes as “the most exquisitely sorrowful moment in a book filled with exquisitely beautiful sorrow” (the book is J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings). In the story, Aragorn is at death’s door, and Arwen, who has rescinded her [...]
Archive for March, 2010
The long weekend is almost upon us, offering time to catch our breath and reflect on where we’ve come from and where we’re heading. We all have hopes for the future – whether private or public, small or large. What are your hopes for 2010? What are your hopes for the future? What gives you [...]
Easter messages from Australian church leaders
Posted: March 29, 2010 by rodbenson in Easter, refugeesThis afternoon I received, via email from the office of the National Council of Churches in Australia, the text of the official Easter messages from Australian church leaders. The NCCA represents (or seeks to serve, depending on your perspective on ecclesiology) a very broad church. And it would be broader still if my ecclesial tradition, [...]
Michael Kirby on sex and the church
Posted: March 25, 2010 by rodbenson in same-sex marriage, sex, sexualityFormer High Court judge Michael Kirby spoke to a symposium on AIDS and religion this week, arguing that church leaders misrepresent biblical teaching on sexuality, and promote an “irrational hatred of sexual minorities.” He claimed “the stigma over sexual conduct often taught by religious people” was “a major cause of death in the AIDS epidemic.” [...]
