When I was in my early thirties and recently ordained, I would meet retired priests at clergy conferences and they would tell me all of the things that they didn't really believe. My sense was that they had never believed in the virgin birth or in substitutionary atonement, or hadn't believed in those things for … Continue reading The Christian Questions
Author: KPB Stevens
Midwives
Birth has always been perilous. For most of our history, conceiving meant reconciling oneself with the possibility of death, even in the act of bringing forth new life. Death and life sat very close together on the birthing bed. Midwives, or wise women, would accompany women in labor into that liminal space between life and … Continue reading Midwives
Exodus: Beneath the Apple Trees
This year I will be joining my friends in the Diocese of Southern Ohio as we read the Book of Exodus together. Preparing for this, I've found myself dipping into Jewish midrash, especially the Shemot Rabbah, which, according to sefaria.org was composed in 1200 CE in Talmudic Israel/Babylon. I'm honestly not sure what that means. … Continue reading Exodus: Beneath the Apple Trees
The Eternal Now
One summer, I disciplined myself to take walks like "Eyes" does. I paused to look at the patterns and shapes of flowers, the stippling of color along their petals, the bend of their long stems. I opened myself to the silhouetted patterns of leaves against the sky as the buds unfurled and the sunlight grew … Continue reading The Eternal Now
Sarah Laughs, and Her Laughter Helps Us: A Homily
In the 18th chapter of Genesis, Sarah laughs, and I think that her laughter is of prime spiritual importance. It's proceeded by three mysterious strangers appearing to her and Abraham while they're camping by the Oaks of Mamre. These strangers tell Abraham that Sarah, who is ninety years old, is going to have a baby. … Continue reading Sarah Laughs, and Her Laughter Helps Us: A Homily
KPB Stevens 