There’s been some discussion here at iMonk recently about the value of personal autonomy. Many Americans believe that autonomy is achievable and that it’s the most honorable lifestyle there is. They believe that people are autonomous individuals. Even if I’m not as autonomous as I should be, because I lack courage or will, those peopleContinue reading “The Myth Of Autonomy”
Category Archives: Damaris Zehner
The Terror Of Faith
(It may be that the things I say below will be useless or even damaging to some people at this point in their life of faith. I hope those people will ignore what I’ve written if it’s unhelpful to them. Caveat lector.) Growing in faith is an extremely dangerous proposition. It’s been compared to leapingContinue reading “The Terror Of Faith”
Should Christians Covet Poverty?
Some American Christians sentimentalize poverty. They long for it as a simpler, more holy lifestyle. They read accounts of praise-filled believers in far countries who barely have enough to eat or a roof over their heads, and they wonder if maybe poverty is a helpful or even necessary condition for the Christian life. Jesus didContinue reading “Should Christians Covet Poverty?”
The Good Land
Only recently did I discover that the monastic vows of Saint Benedict included the vow of stability: poverty, chastity, obedience, and stability — staying in one place. There is a virtue to staying where you are. There is a virtue to being where you are. Too many of us are never where we are. WeContinue reading “The Good Land”
Humane Resources
No one likes whining. I’ll try not to whine. I realize that if you speak out against mistreatment on others’ behalf, it’s justice. If you speak out on your own behalf, it’s whining. But maybe I can see the bottom of the boot better from down here and describe it more accurately. If that’s whining,Continue reading “Humane Resources”
Religion and Culture
(Note: Richard Niebuhr wrote a classic book called Christ and Culture. I highly recommend reading it to understand the variety of relationships possible between Christianity and culture. I don’t attempt to summarize his ideas here, just my own thoughts from my travels and studies.) Recently Lisa Dye quoted Derek Prince as saying, “Never let yourContinue reading “Religion and Culture”
Balance
Virtue and truth, if out of balance, cease to be virtue or truth. That’s a bit short for a post, so I’ll expand. Any virtue developed in isolation from other virtues becomes a vice. Truthfulness, untempered by kindness, becomes a critical spirit. Gentleness without courage is weak. Empathy without self-discipline is soppy. It is easyContinue reading “Balance”
Thoughts about Women in Ministry
A recent iMonk Classic mentioned the issue of women in ministry. I thought I’d take it up. Armor? Check. Shield, gas mask, safety glasses, earplugs? Check. Here goes. First of all, I won’t say anything about Bible passages dealing with women’s roles in the church. Everyone who cares about the issues knows them, and yetContinue reading “Thoughts about Women in Ministry”
Consider It All Joy
My family and I were missionaries in Kyrgyzstan for some years. Our furloughs in America were busy and tiring. We had to pack too frequently, try to keep the children sane, and say the same things a hundred times to people we’d mostly never see again. The summer I’m thinking about was a particularly difficultContinue reading “Consider It All Joy”
Are We There Yet?
By Damaris Zehner Last Sunday, the Bible readings included John 13:33-35 and Revelation 21:3-4. An odd conjunction struck me. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says, “I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I amContinue reading “Are We There Yet?”
The Internet Monk Archives 