My review of Elizabeth Oldfield’s book “Fully Alive” is now available over at Sub-Creations. Tolle lege! @brazospress.bsky.social

In my journey through old films, I have come to the Knute Rockne biopic. You know, the one with the Gipper. I wanted to see if Reagan could act. But guys, he’s in this film for all of 15 minutes. Only halfway through, and he’s already kicked the bucket and gone into politics.

The Iceman Cometh

Some say my previous visits to the sceptered isle were equally destructive. I can neither confirm nor deny.

It’s Therese of Lisieux’s feast day, and I really ought to be sharing a contemplative quote from her or something, but what I really want to do is show you this photo of her dressed as Joan of Arc, because it will never not be awesome.

My review of “Why I Am Protestant by Beth Felker Jones is now live at Modern Reformation. Tolle lege!

When I wrote “Face to Face: A Novel of the Reformation” back in 2022, I figured things would be intensely crazy in 2025 and I emphasized themes to speak to that craziness. So, did 2025 end up being crazy? If so, you may wish to order this book from the 1517 bookstore:

Today is the feast of St. Michael. Who is he, what does he do, and how does it give us comfort in this life and the next? My latest for 1517.

Today at Sub-Creations, a consideration of the biblical meaning of martyrdom prompted by the discussion surrounding Charlie Kirk’s murder. (But don’t worry - This article isn’t really about politics!)

Animal services are one of my favorite Anglican traditions. One such service currently streaming live at Ely Cathedral.

The Old Testament prophets reveal that God expects two things from the rulers of this world: justice and righteousness. These are precisely the two things rulers tend not to deliver. Thus, we sing with Luther, “That Word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them abideth.”

Amazing news! So grateful to medical researchers who work to bring us life-changing treatments like this.

Amazing news! So grateful to medical researchers who work to bring us life-changing treatments like this.

Things I’ll have to explain to my son one day: “And then Disney would put the movie in a special vault and keep it there for years, and the only way I could see Sleeping Beauty was by renting the tape from the one store that had it when I visited great grandma and grandpa.”

Dealing with a medical difficulty is never any fun. It’s even less fun when that particular medical difficulty becomes a political football. Autistic people and their loved ones could use your prayers. Yes, we want answers, but mostly we want support and love.

The Lord’s Prayer is spectacular in its ability to refocus us on the kingdom of God rather than the kingdom of this world, to remind us we are sinners living among sinners and dependent on God for everything we have, including our good deeds. A pledge of allegiance to God alone.

“Any human being who wants hope need do nothing more than watch the sun rise in the morning, for that is proof that life goes on and the triumph of darkness is not total.” Some hope in today’s Sub-Creations article.

I know I’m a broken record, but God is in control. He loves you. His perfect kingdom is coming. No, whatever else you fear isn’t in control. Hate is not stronger. Evil won’t last forever. Hold on, beloved, for you are held in the hands of your Savior.

“The dove descending breaks the air With flame of incandescent terror Of which the tongues declare The one dischage from sin and error. The only hope, or else despair Lies in the choice of pyre or pyre- To be redeemed from fire by fire” - T.S. Eliot, “Little Gidding”

See all that awful in the world? The injustice, heartache, and futility? That is precisely what Christ died for. In fact, he didn’t just die for the injustices OUT THERE, but also for the injustices IN YOU and IN ME. By his wounds we all are healed.

Just me tapping the sign again, because Resurrection Day is coming.

It often takes courage to speak when everyone is remaining silent. It can also take courage to remain silent when everyone is speaking.

It may seem too easy or even too cheap to say, “All shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well,” in light of the evils of this world. But we say this precisely because of sin and evil. We say this because our hope is not in this world, but in heaven and resurrection.

Today at Sub-Creations, why authoritarian leaders have to live in the past and the future while fearing the present, with props to Richard Allen Farmer. “For an authoritarian, the people become a monolith. The problems they have are exactly those problems the leader…thinks he (or she) can solve.”

“In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33b (NASB95)

Given the concern about the new “Wuthering Heights”, I watched the 1939 film to remind myself of the plot. I have decided… The two main characters are both awful people, and if the new film is bad…they deserve it.

The fool looks at history and finds only reason for grievance. The wise person finds in history cause for humility and ultimate hope.

Apparently the Department of Defense is being renamed the Department of War. As someone with a degree from the department of “War Studies” at King’s College London, I can authoritatively tell you… Jesus is great and he loves you and you should go to church because it’s awesome.

Behold, my review of Single Ever After by @danitreweek.bsky.social. I know it sounds like a cliche, but this book really does apply to both single and married people in the Church. Have a read! Included free of charge: a Margo Channing reference.

“Alone with none but thee, my God, I journey on my way. What need I fear when thou art near, Oh king of night and day? More safe am I within thy hand Than if a host did round me stand.” - St. Columba (attributed)

How nice that on his feast day, I come across this great quote from Gregory the Great: “Whoever gathers all the virtues without humility, carries as it were dust into the wind.” (Quoted in Grace Hamman’s new book, Ask of Old Paths!)

"I don't read many novels." Neither do I, but this one is cool. For people interested in history, theology, or just the way human beings muddle their way through this thing called life. A novel for people less interested in novels, perhaps.

I find myself amused that the index for Charles Taylor’s ‘A Secular Age’ has no entries for “monasticism” but several for “mutilation.”

You know it’s true.

Society is a mess. Things are getting violent. God seems silent. Friendships are breaking. The earth is quaking. But huzzah, we've got engagement news! No, it's not America 2025. It's Germany 1525. Pre-order my novel "Face to Face" today.

Oh, void kitty, you rule this realm with greatness! 🐈‍⬛

You know what would make your Monday better? A little Julian of Norwich. A little “all shall be well.” I wrote an article about her understanding of God’s sovereignty in salvation. Tolle lege!

Katelyn Beaty has written an excellent article about the assisted dying debate, considering how we as Christians must uphold the dignity of human life and care for the vulnerable. I highly commend it to you.

The Virgin Mary is such a special person in the history of God’s people and his plan of salvation. I wrote an article briefly examining the four Marian dogmas of the Catholic Church and considering how Protestants should and shouldn’t be honoring Mary.

Today is St. Bernard of Clairvaux’s feast day. A complex guy who opposed heretics and unbelievers, changed the face of monasticism, and left us with beautiful writings. But since I love weird medieval stuff, here he is being squirted in the eye with Mary’s breast milk.

Jesus Christ is better than all of this is bad.

“For the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs.” - George Eliot, Middlemarch

My latest essay for Sub-Creations…

Where is the balm of Gilead? Where is the salve for the hurts of this world? Only in heaven. Yes, only in heaven. But heaven has descended that we might ascend.

In Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy, the kingdom of Gondor is ruled by stewards in the absence of a true heir of the kingly line. Some stewards are better than others. They often act like kings. But they are mere caretakers awaiting the coming of a righteous king.

A great article from Bruce Hillman for 1517 engaging with Brad East about the decline of confessional Protestantism, whether real or imagined. Good analysis as always from Bruce.

I had a lot of fun talking to two of my church’s elders, Paul and Noel, about my book, Broken Bonds. They asked me about my writing process, the history of the Reformation, and the forthcoming sequel, Face to Face.

I wrote an article for 1517 introducing the Protestant reformer I probably identify with the most: Martin Bucer. Was he Lutheran, Reformed, or Anglican? Or all of the above? Tolle lege!

Behold, a somewhat irreverent introduction to the female mystics of the medieval period! Hildegard of Bingen, Julian of Norwich, Catherine of Siena, and more! Discussion of bodily fluids included free of charge. This was a fun one to write. 😊

Whatever is taken from me in this world, no one can take Jesus from me. That’s true for you too. When the treasures of heaven are yours, what can man do to you? When God calls you his child, what dignity can man deny you?