Priest. Professor. Writer.
I reflect on Auden’s advent poem that features these lines: We who must die demand a miracle. How could the Eternal do a temporal act, The Infinite become a finite fact? Nothing can save us that is possible: We who Continue Reading …
In this article at the Front Porch Republic, I gave my take on Marilynne Robinson’s literary vision by employing Augustine’s theology of goodness and evil. It has seemed to me sometimes as though the Lord breathes on this poor gray Continue Reading …
Disney’s Soul is an incredible story about vocation and what makes life truly worth living. One of the things that Soul demonstrates is Joe’s (and our) overemphasis on vocation. In Christian communities as well as in the secular sphere, I fear we’ve Continue Reading …
In this piece, I argue against the use of critical thinking. In essence, there’s a proper stage of discernment, but its a poor posture. Unfortunately, the modern academy is smitten with critical thinking, so it’s an uphill battle. However, this Continue Reading …
In the ministry world, new and novel are often appreciated at expense of tried and true. In this article at Anglican Compass, I argue that perhaps there are some things worth holding on to and not reforming. However, one of Continue Reading …
There was a moment when I realized that my fellow faculty at a liberal arts college didn’t really understand the liberal arts. And that was the moment that I was resolved to do something about it. In this piece, I Continue Reading …
I employ James K.A. Smith and George Herbert to evaluate Holy by Justin Bieber and Chance the Rapper. These thoughts stemmed from a class discussion on erotic desire. If you want human beings to move, appeal to what they love. Continue Reading …
Using St. Augustine, I argue that loving God is not diminishing but exponential. The more I love God, the more I can actually love the beauty and goodness of the world when rightly ordered. But what do I love when Continue Reading …
My first piece in Christ and Pop Culture discussed the recent NBC comedy called “The Good Place.” The show is a rather profound investigation of what it means to be truly good. It can be difficult to tease out where Continue Reading …
One of my favorite movies of recent history is The Last Black Man in San Francisco. It’s about the complexity of human personhood and how to love broken places. Excuse me. You can’t hate San Francisco… Do you love it? Continue Reading …
