The Rambling Disciple

In the creation account of Genesis 1 God declares something extraordinary about human beings and their place in this world. God makes humans, both male and female, in the image of God. This pronouncement forms the basis of Christian theological anthropology (the study of human beings within a Christian worldview) and is usually referred to in Latin; the Imago Dei. During this period of Lent I have been reflecting on what it means to be human. What does the Bible say about humanity? What does Jesus teach us about what it means to be human? Most importantly I've been considering the Imago Dei. What does it mean that human beings are made in the image of God? There are many views and interpretations of this profound theological truth. Some argue it is a functional role, meaning that it's the duties we carry out in the world on God's behalf that make us the image of God. Others say it has to do with our need for community. Still others argue for the use of language, something u...

Today is Ash Wednesday, something that most people in my tradition do not observe. While that is fine I think there is a lot to be gained from observing the season of Lent. As we head towards Holy Week (the last week of Jesus' life prior to the Resurrection) Christians have long held observances to reflect on Christ and better understand God, ourselves, and the world. Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent, a season of fasting, prayer, and contemplation. Ash Wednesday is a day all about sin and our need to repent. This is something I believe we often don't do enough if at all. Sin has become a minor inconvenience, more of a personality flaw than a deeply immoral and ungodly condition.  Sin is serious. Just this past week a major Christian apologist and leader was revealed to have been a sexual predator for years. This man was, while he was alive, most likely the best known and most respected Christian speaker and apologist in the world. Now after his passing his own organizatio...