In Plato’s Republic, Socrates and his interlocutors are in pursuit of a good definition and understanding of justice. In Book Two, Glaucon suggests there is no man so virtuous that he could resist the temptation of doing injustice to whomever he pleased if he could do so without fearing detection. Glaucon says, Even those who […]
Beware of Wolves!
“I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.” -Romans 16:17–18 […]
The New Tribe of the Redeemed
“Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. Greet Apelles, who is approved […]
The First-fruits of Ministry
“Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia.” […]
A Servant of the Church
“I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.” -Romans 16:1–2 The […]
An Affectionate Appeal
“I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, so that by […]
Oratio – Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany & Septuagesima
O God whose blessed Son was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil, and make us the sons of God, and heirs of eternal life: grant us, we beseech thee, that having this hope, we may purify ourselves, even as he is pure: that when he shall appear again with power, and […]
Unity and Generosity
“At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in […]
About the Time H. Lee Barnes Introduced me to John Gardner
More than a decade ago, I completed a creative writing program at the College of Southern Nevada. I took up the program because I foresaw a shift in my vocation. I knew my future included writing so I wanted to learn to write well. While I’m unsure if I do, in fact, “write well,” I […]
Hope and Expectations
“This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to […]