[box] This is the third part of a paper about the values of simplicity and self-sacrifice as seen in the lives of the early Dessert Fathers. Previous posts this series can be found here and here. [/box] In the intervening years between the time of the Desert Fathers (4th and 5th century C.E.) and today … Continue reading Simplicity and Self-Sacrifice: Lessons from the Desert Fathers (Part 3 of 3)
[box] This is the second part of a paper about the values of simplicity and self-sacrifice as seen in the lives of the early Dessert Fathers. The first part of this series can be found here. [/box] St. Anthony, the most famous of the Desert Fathers, was reported by St. Athanasius as teaching his follow … Continue reading Simplicity and Self-Sacrifice: Lessons from the Desert Fathers (Part 2 of 3)
Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput recently remarked that “Americans have never liked history” since the “past comes with obligations on the present, and the most cherished illusion of American life is that we can remake ourselves at will.”[1] This self-imposed historical amnesia causes the church to have an unhealthy “egocentric obsession with the present.”[2] Christianity, however, … Continue reading Simplicity and Self-Sacrifice: Lessons from the Desert Fathers (Part 1 of 3)
Translated by Helen Waddell, the book The Desert Fathers is collection of ancient manuscripts from the fourth and fifth century CE. It includes works by St. Jerome (The Life of St. Paul the First Hermit), Ambrose of Camaldolt (The Pratum Spirituale of John Moschus), James the Deacon (The Life of St. Pelagia the Herlot), and … Continue reading “The Desert Fathers” translated by Helen Waddell
I was first introduced to Kallistos Ware’s book The Orthodox Way on September 2, 2006 when it was given to me after a chance meeting with an Eastern Orthodox priest. This priest, whose name I do not know, gave me five books about the Eastern Orthodox Church after briefly taking to me in a hotel … Continue reading “The Orthodox Way” by Bishop Kallistos Ware
I know it is risking as the term “mystic” is seen in a negative light by a lot of folks within the American Christian culture. Yet when I wrote the biography for my upcoming book, I called myself a “Christian mystic.” Why did I do that? I did it because I think we need more … Continue reading Why I call myself a Christian Mystic
For the past 13 years I have worked in an office where the majority of my coworkers regular go out to eat each and every day. Fancy to-go boxes fill the breakroom refrigerator while I carry around an old lunch box cast aside by my son with a simple sandwich or last night’s leftovers inside…. … Continue reading The Spiritual Battle Behind Simple Living
I recently received the reading list for this fall’s classes at St. Stephen’s University – and I must say I am very, very excited! Most of the books are ones that I have not read before – and better still – they are ones that have been on my must-read-one-day list. Life is good! 😀 … Continue reading SSU Reading List For This Fall
You know those times when you prepare the best you can but when the rubber hits the road things seem to go sideways? Well, Sunday seemed a bit like that to me…it seemed, as one of my mentors is fold of saying, that the words I was speaking drooled down my chin and flopped to … Continue reading Act 1 Scene 1b: Imago Dei
Doug Pagitt grew up in a non-Christian home in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he has lived his entire life. When he was sixteen years old a friend invited him to see a Passion Play at a local church. At the end of the play, Doug gave his life to Jesus and started a journey which led … Continue reading A Christianity Worth Believing by Doug Pagitt