Sin Thoughts

By Victor Lee Austin "The first thing to get straight is whether you believe there is such a thing as sin.” It was my initial meeting for spiritual direction with the late J. Robert Wright, professor at t... Read More...

On Testimony

By Christopher Yoder I wish to say a word or two in favor of the practice of giving one’s “testimony.” That is, narrating for others how God has been at work in one’s life. It is, of course, a practice commonly associated with the Evangelical movement’s emp... Read More...

Problems with Forgiveness

By Amber Noel The priest says, “Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor,” and maybe (if you’re lucky), there’s a period of silence before you launch into “Most merciful God,” during which your e... Read More...

Confessions of a Penitential Orderer

By Matthew S. C. Olver I despise the Penitential Order. Scratch that. I actually have come to think that the so-called Penitential Order in the 1979 BCP is theologically and ritually preferable. I just hate ... Read More...

Against Non-Apologies

What Sir Paul McCartney Understands About Contrition That Frank Sinatra, Marvin Gaye, and Elvis Did Not (Nor Most Current Public Apologizers) By Neal Michell We live in an age of public apologies. Politicians are apologizing, celebrities are apologizing, a... Read More...

The blessing of confession

Some urge that confession be restricted to Lent in future liturgies. Yet to omit confession would also omit the great blessing we receive through the weekly challenge to confess, forgive, and be forgiven.

Prayer during a long, hot campaign

Episcopalians have expressed their concern about the tenor of Trump and his massive political rallies. Statements have ranged from scolding to more subtly critical.