From Ashes Part 9: The Philosopher’s Wretchedness

When I consider the brief span of my life absorbed into the eternity which comes before and after…the small space I occupy and which I see swallowed up in the infinite immensity of spaces of which I know thing and which know nothing of me, I take fright and am amazed to see myself hereContinue reading “From Ashes Part 9: The Philosopher’s Wretchedness”

Catechism 24

Why was it necessary for Christ, the Redeemer, to die? Since death is the punishment for sin, Christ died willingly in our place to deliver us from the power and penalty of sin and bring us back to God. By his substitutionary atoning death, he alone redeems us from hell and gains for us forgivenessContinue reading “Catechism 24”

Catechism 23

Why must the Redeemer be truly God? That because of his divine nature his obedience and suffering would be perfect and effective; and also that he would be able to bear the righteous anger of God against sin and yet overcome death. (New City Catechism) The price too great to pay ourselves,      the heightContinue reading “Catechism 23”

Catechism 21

What sort of Redeemer is needed to bring us back to God? One who is truly human and also truly God. (New City Catechism)   Can both dwell in one body –             God and man,                         as though             torn asunder, the two were somehow reconciled?   As far as east is from west:Continue reading “Catechism 21”

Catechism 20

Who is the Redeemer? The only Redeemer is the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, in whom God became man and bore the penalty for sin himself. (New City Catechism)   From Adam’s flesh the perfect Man: God, human, redeeming what the apple’s curse has eaten.   Who else? Our kinsman, yet notContinue reading “Catechism 20”

From Ashes: Sonnet

Though fearfully and wonderfully made, There are abscesses where my dirt is stored: See here, the time I learnt to cry, to wade In mud and mire, and hurt of my own accord. Though Grace has breathed its breath in me, I still Retain the sick fruit of Adam’s broken soil; In pain, in guilt,Continue reading “From Ashes: Sonnet”

Catechism 18

Will God allow our disobedience and idolatry to go unpunished? No, every sin is against the sovereignty, holiness, and goodness of God, and against his righteous law, and God is righteously angry with our sins and will punish them in his just judgment both in this life, and in the life to come. (New CityContinue reading “Catechism 18”

Catechism 17

What is idolatry? Idolatry is trusting in created things rather than the Creator for our hope and happiness, significance and security. (New City Catechism)   Unclear the moment             when the tree ceases to be an ornament, a source of food,             a sign of flourishing,  Continue reading “Catechism 17”

Catechism 16

What is sin? Sin is rejecting God in the world he created, rebelling against him by living without reference to him, not being or doing what he requires in his law – resulting in our death and the disintegration of all creation. (New City Catechism) The choice of the moment: a hand to reach outContinue reading “Catechism 16”

“Shriven” – Streaming Page CXVI Day 7

Today is Shrove Tuesday, a day simultaneously associated with pancakes and confession of sin. It is also the day before Lent begins, with Ash Wednesday’s focus on repentance: a day of feasting before the fast begins. Today’s song, the final track from Page CXVI’s “Lent to Maundy Thursday”, is a beautiful reflection on the loveContinue reading ““Shriven” – Streaming Page CXVI Day 7″