Slave Spirituals Connect Us with Christ
Learn a bit about coded meanings in slave spirituals and the twisted version of Christianity that slave-holders taught them.
Tuotilo – A Monk who Sculpted a Miracle
What makes a sculpture come alive?
Solomon’s Growing Abuse of Forced Labor
Solomon’s palaces and buildings relied on heavy taxes and forced labor of his own people.
Sin Doesn’t Burn Away
During the bonfire of the vanities, the people set other peoples’ belongings on fire, but did that transform Florence into a righteous city?
What to Do with All the Wisdom in the World – the Library of Alexandria
Great Thinkers + Generous Funding + Amazing Library = ???
Learning is Hard – Being Taught Generation to Generation is Holy
I struggled to learn to knit, but my grandmother taught me what her mother taught her what her mother taught her…
Temple Tax: Context
The Temple tax was voluntary, an expression of faith and belonging – not part of a domination system.
Mary Magdalene is (Probably) Not Who You Think She Is
Mary Magdalene was not a fallen temptress. She witnessed the resurrection, was the apostle to the apostles, and likely continued in leadership in the early church.
Christmas Folklore in Iceland: The Yule Lads
An Icelandic child in the Middle Ages learned about mischievous trolls who arrive as Christmas draws near. However scary things get, you know that Christ is returning and all shall be well.
Tilling the Earth to Feed a Stranger: Walafrid
In the first thousand years of the church, monks sometimes planted gardens to share treats with visitors. Walafrid even wrote poetry about it!