Curious Christian

Exploring life, art, spirituality, and the way of Jesus

Thomas Merton on the Unknown

Published by

Matt Stone

on

2011-02-21

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself , and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean…
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Prayer for wisdom, here and now

Published by

Matt Stone

on

2011-02-20

“Father, we praise you and glorify you for sending your Son to us that He would die for our sins and be raised from the dead to reign in Heaven. But we also praise You and glorify You for sending Him to live among us and teach us how we…
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Witnessing through the visual arts

Published by

Matt Stone

on

2011-02-20

An interesting article on an Indian Christian artist: Jesuit Father Roy Mathew Thottam looks every inch an artist, from goatee beard to cream-colored kurta, the long shirt so beloved of poets and artists in India, and the jeans that complete the picture. Balding and looking older than his 45 years,…
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Empowering The Next Generation: Weaving Faith Conversations Into Everyday Life

Published by

Matt Stone

on

2011-02-18

I don’t claim to be an expert in sharing faith with children. My experience leans more toward young adults and adults. However, I’ve noticed some interesting things about my own kids and those in our community that I think are worth considering. First, my children have a clearer understanding of…
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Holy War is not for Everyone

Published by

Matt Stone

on

2011-02-17

The holy wars of Israel present a major objection to Christianity for many people these days, particularly in the wake of the religious terrorism of 7/11. Now, regular readers would be aware that I interpret scripture Christocentrically, and hence question the discipleship value of any Old Testament interpretation that does not…
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The Fall of Christian Creativity

Published by

Matt Stone

on

2011-02-15

I think Tyler Shuster must have been channelling the author of Lamentations when he wrote The Fall of Christian Creativity. The cause for the decline of the quality of Christian art is essentially this: Christian art has become the subject of Christian art … An example from a popular worship song…
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The Imaginings of Saint Augustine

Published by

Matt Stone

on

2011-02-14

“Imagine if all the tumult of the body were to quiet down, along with all our busy thoughts about earth, sea, and air; if the very world should stop and the mind cease thinking about itself, go beyond itself, and be quite still; if all the fantasies that appear in…
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Meditation in the Scriptures

Published by

Matt Stone

on

2011-02-13

Do you realise there is more in the scriptures about meditation than there is about speaking in tongues? The Psalms contain many explicit references to meditation. More implicitly, both the Old Testament and New Testament affirm the practice of reflecting and remembering God’s word and works, of being mindful and…
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Dallas Willard on the Christian message

Published by

Matt Stone

on

2011-02-11

What is the good news? Dallas Willard shares his understanding. It’s much more than forgiveness of sin.
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Guidance for encounters with God

Published by

Matt Stone

on

2011-02-11

In his book, Understanding Folk Religion, Paul Hiebert speaks of the need for a theology of discernment when encountering new religious movements, both Christian and non-Christian. Noting that healing, prophecy, speaking in tongues, and other extraordinary experiences are reported in many religions, Hiebert cautions “People seek signs to assure them…
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