Articles
No challenge to Pseudo-Dionysius's distinction between "positive" or cataphatic and "negative" or apophatic theology. But this work concentrates on how all Orthodox theology is positive in the sense "positive" has in "positive psychology."
This is an email I wrote an Orthodox parish in relation to God's Providence as I studied theology. God's glory unfolds in his Providence, and I tried to unpack some of that in my own experience.
This article looks at unanticipated ways to turn to ancient ways in our present time. (Just doing some things the way we did before the present cyber-quarantine could be a major step forward!)
An Author's Musing Memoirs: Retrospective Reflections, Retracings, and Retractions
- A set of memoirs at midlife, taking stock of my writing, what it achieved, and what it has not achieved.
"Belabored Inclusive Language" and "Naturally Inclusive Language"
The point of "belabored inclusive language" and "naturally inclusive language" was provocative when this piece was new. Now it is an increasingly commonplace perspective.
I remember one time wincing at being told, "So, you're an anti-capitalist?" The person assumed that if you're against capitalism, it's Marxist. But there is a conservative objection to capitalist economy to be had.
Written after I tried and failed to secure a copy of St. John Chrysostom, "A Comparison of the Monk with the King."
A meditation about whether God is beyond suffering, and what that means.
A look at escapism and how, and what it means, to escape it.
This essay looks at two archetypes and about which of them is really greater.
God does not usually fix things as we conceive of fixing things. Instead, he keeps on changing the game.
Happiness is not just for easy times and good economies. Happiness is for here, in an age of crisis, and for now.
The title pretty much says it all.
There is a cartoon that showed "then," with big man holding and shaking a little phone, and "now," with a big phone shaking a little man. It doesn't have to be that way.
Finding work has a spiritual as well as a secular side.
How to Think About Psychology: An Orthodox Look at a Secular Religion
Psychology claims to be value-neutral, but there is good reason to understand it as a religion. This article explores that.
This is not, and does not pretend to be, a scientific evaluation. Rather, it is looking at evolution through the perspectives of a humanities scholar, as a human phenomenon.
Years back I posted a website called "Revenge of the Hydra," in which if you visit it with Internet Explorer, nine popup windows appear, and if you shut down one window, two more appear. This article is a look at a sinful passion that keeps cropping up.
Buddhist mindfulness is a cardinal virtue which we seek from the East because we have rejected mindfulness in the West. Mindfulness is a traditional part of the West, but it is classified, not specifically as a virtue, but as a part of good manners.
This is a homily about money and living simply.
St. Paul wrote that we are "more than conquerors," and to be an Orthodox Christian truly is in substance to be more than royalty.
I have had numerous times a Roman has approached me and been eager for reunion. I have never had such a Catholic acknowledge Orthodox concerns about unresolved doctrinal differences that need to be resolved before any appropriate reunion. This is kept, not for Romans, but for Orthodox.
This is a response to an article written by an Orthodox Presbyterian who got a D.Min. from an Eastern Orthodox seminary and still managed to get Orthodoxy very, very wrong.
In the same vein as "Our social program is the Trinity."
A homily about a Pet Owner who only has two rules. The second is, "Don't drink out of the toilet!"
A somewhat whimsical article about another approach to "physics" or the nature of things.
My Archbishop at the time got publicly vaccinated after consulting many scientists and doctors and so far as I know not even one person basically uncomfortable with vaccines. This is a public explanation of repentance after having received a vaccine's first dose, partly in an effort not to tread the dangerous ground of being more Orthodox than my Archbishop.
"Religion and Science" Is Not Just Intelligent Design vs. Evolution
One reader called this "the most intelligent and erudite" work he had read. It states what I wanted to state in my Ph.D. thesis.
This looks at the unexpected powerful joy of repentance.
This is in one sense a weaker, but in another sense a stronger, alternative to the "verification principle."
A look at how striking the singularity we live in really is.
The Golden Rule is a simple criterion that sheds light on a wide variety of circumstances. So is the Silicon Rule, rightly understood. Wondering what that is? Read this article!
This is a request for guidance that, at the time, no one besides the author seemed to be trying to provide guidance for. It was submitted to Ancient Faith, not directly as a candidate for Ancient Faith publication, but as posing a question which some Ancient Faith authors might address.
We are, in a certain sense, privileged by our technologies, but a bigger picture look suggests that our technologies today are a dimension of a great poverty.
An extended look at what it truly means to be awake and alive, inclusing St. John Chrysostom's "The Treatise to Prove that No One Can Harm the Person Who Does Not Damage Himself."
This is a look at two decisive moments: a decisive moment in history, and a decisive moment in our lives.
What Evolutionists Have to Say to the Royal, Divine Image: We're Missing Something!
This is a look at what about proper understanding and care of people can be missed by those who do not think in terms of evolution.
It is a truism that money can't buy happiness, and that is true. However, there are a few things to own that can contribute to happiness, and they are worth knowing.
This looks at a patristic dimension to headship that is not even guessed at in contemporary debates.
Written when some things had gone very, very wrong.
Where Is the Good of Women? Feminism is Called, "The Women's Movement." But is It?
This article unravels what seems to be the only possible, unquestionable option.
This article looks at contentment and covetousness.
Why I'm Glad I'm Living Now, at This Place, at This Time, in This World
It's easy enough to wish to be in another time, in the Middle Ages, or Narnia, or Hogwarts. This is about why I believe God was right and loving to place me just where I am.
This is a homily on why tithing is really good for us all.
Happiness is for here and now, and the door is open.
Poems and Hymns
This is a hymn dedicated to St. Philaret the Merciful, whose life was a living exegesis of the Sermon on the Mount as it teaches about wealth.
A poem of paradox, wonder, and joy.
A poetic meditation about preparing for the gateway we all must pass.
A hymn of glory, wonder, and praise.
There is something to be had next to which alchemy pales in comparison.
This is a hymn of glory to the Creator whose glory is reflected in the glory of Creation.
A poem about open and closed hands.
A look at God's here and now as Paradise.
A poem that starts with Narnia and reaches "Further up and further in!"
Straightening out a backwards poem.
The most popular page I have made.
This poem explores how true silence can delightfully nourish the soul.
This is a poem unfolding depths of the "Why this waste?" asked by the Thief.
Short Stories
This inversion of C.S. Lewis's classic The Screwtape Letters has an angel offering a man's guardian angel heavenly advice about how to watch over the man he guards.
This parody of "To Serve Man" looks at efforts to improve the human race.
An essay in the form of a short story about a man who has quested after a commentary and is dismayed when he finds it.
Taking away toys is not the only way a grinch can try to steal Christmas.
Hysterical Fiction: A Medievalist Jibe at Disney Princess Videos
This is a parody of historically shallow historical fiction, in which an ancient writer writes a story set in our time and place.
A tale of a king, three painters, and three pictures.
A look at the crown of life.
This is a look at ugly pictures of true beauty.
A short story looking at purity on the other side of shame.
The inner story to Yonder, this looks at how an injured life is worth living.
Socratic Dialogue
A Socratic dialogue about true joy.
In imitation of St. Boethius, The Consolation of Philosophy, and one of my greatest individual works.
A Socratic dialogue about something in history that keeps cropping up.
The Law of Attraction: A Dialogue with an Eastern Orthodox Christian Mystic
The New Age Law of Attraction says that if you think about receiving money, a huge windfall will fall across your lap, and that is dangerous territory. However, there is an Orthodox Law of Attraction of sorts, in which if you think thoughts of peace, they will be followed by more and bigger thoughts of peace, while if you think thoughts of anger, they will be followed by more and bigger thoughts of anger, and conflict with them.
A very, very light touch adapting Plato's most famous passage.
This is a Socratic dialogue looking at how truly singular our present circumstances are; they are more extreme than anything seen by the 99% of people who have ever lived, who have never seen a written or printed word.
Veni, Vidi, Vomui: A Look at "Do You Want to Date My Avatar?"
A dialogue unveiling layers of what is disturbing about a viral music video.
A Socratic dialogue set in a realized transhumanist eschatology, looking for something beyond what is available then and there.
Odds and Ends, Curiosities and Creative Works
Fr. Tom Hopko wrote a famed "55 maxims." Here is an offer of a new "55 maxims" that are not as elegant, but have everything to say to our present cyber-quarantine.
This life represents a tremendously important apprenticeship. It has been said that birth and death are an inch apart, but the ticker tape goes on forever. This is a work about how to best use this precious life.
The race of mankind stands in an arena before God, angels, and demons. This collection of short chapters unfolds what the arena is like.
This looks at the real treasures to be found in life's hard lessons and experiences.
Exotic Golden Ages and Restoring Harmony with Nature: Anatomy of a Passion
A look at a historical paradox about how trying to reclaim ancient glory breaks continuity with both the immediate past and the ancient past as well.
In a theology class, the professor asks for something to compare God to, and the students say, "Porn." Here is how the professor replies.
A game review for something that eclipses all games. Possibly to be read alongside Escape.
A look at God the Father through the eyes of the love of a monastic spiritual father.
A revisited look at Martin Luther's famed words.
St. John the Much-Suffering is a great friend in fighting carnal sins. You can print an icon of him from this page.
This creative nonfiction is a look at the separate qualities associated with men and with women.
This is a piece I tried and failed to write before becoming Orthodox, but wrote when I was ready to write such a piece.
A change of term is proposed for some truly unfortunate souls.
About how much I as an author care for you as a reader.
A set of exhortations far better than those opted for by modern psychology.
This is a shelf of essential books for Orthodox Christians.
Orthodox Theology and Technology: A Profoundly Gifted Autobiography
For those interested in reading my autobiography.
Orthodoxy, Contraception, and Spin Doctoring: A Look at an Influential but Disturbing Article
This article is long and detailed, and went viral when it was posted.
A high-context look at the refutation of all heresies.
A parody of religious worship made in the image of... television.
A set of rules for engagement with present circumstances.
A science fiction satire looking at an email much odder than it first appears.
This was a letter to a friend about riches that were no less unavailable to the friend than to the author.
A question which has been on my mind much in former days is, "Will there be a place for me?" This article looks about how there has always been a place for me.