Ancient Anglican

The book is a collection of six essays where Hart dispels the understanding that orthodox Christianity teaches (or can teach) a two-tier understanding of nature and supernature. Rather, Christianity teaches that nature/supernature or nature/grace are indivisible.

In worship, we move God into the center of our world, and us out of it, thereby fulfilling the greatest of the commandments.

In any discussions about prayer, the question arises about how do we learn to pray. How can we make prayer part of daily life? Rev. Gunn gives us several areas in which we can learn to pray daily.

“Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances.” 1 Thess. 5:16-18.

Rev. Gunn gives us four areas in which we can learn: Bible Reading, Daily Devotionals, Joining a Class, and Reading Books.

“Scripture is like a river again, broad and deep, shallow enough here for the lamb to go wading, but deep enough there for the elephant to swim.” We can never quit learning.

We do not turn to earn God’s love but we turn in order to give thanks and enjoy God’s vast love for us. As John writes, we love others because God first loved us. 1 John 4:19.

The first step in developing a Christian life is simply turning. We need to turn toward God and away from self-centeredness.

Darkness is not explained, but it is defeated. Night is not a riddle to be solved, but a mystery to be endured until it too is overcome by the light. In those dark times, we must always remember the end. It might be Good Friday, but Easter is coming.

Joy is not a matter of unrealistic optimism or an intentional looking away from the trials of our lives. Rather, cultivating joy is to see that deeper reality of living in the very presence of God.

Our hope is not only that Christ will be found among the afflicted, but that affliction itself will end. We long for a day when everything that is broken – in our bodies, in nature, in relationships, in society, in politics, in policing, in global economics – will be mended and made right.

Inth ePrayer, we ask that God might feel what we feel, to enter into the dark room in which we find ourselves and sit with us in our pain and vulnerability.