Alana K. Asby: Laughter and the Green Knight

Laughter and the Green Knight

A Review of the Gawain Poem, Part II

In a previous installment of this essay on Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, I described my journey of acquaintance with this medieval poem, and my growing appreciation for it as not only a story about Christmas, but a story-poem for Christmas, to be enjoyed at Christmastime. Continue reading . . . “Alana K. Asby: Laughter and the Green Knight”

Alana K. Asby: Tolkien and the Green Knight

Tolkien and the Green Knight

A Review of the Gawain Poem, Part I

I first encountered Gawain and the Green Knight during Bible college. I remember scrounging time between Wednesday evening choir practice and prayer service to read through it as fast as I could, Continue reading . . . “Alana K. Asby: Tolkien and the Green Knight”

Lynn Michael Martin: The Anabaptist Garden

The Anabaptist Garden: Jacques as a Core Sample of Candide

by Lynn Michael Martin

One surprising part of Voltaire’s Candide is its treatment of Jacques the Anabaptist. Jacques appears and takes a part of the stage just beyond the limelight Continue reading . . . “Lynn Michael Martin: The Anabaptist Garden”

Grace Martin: Reading Middlemarch for Meaning

Reading Middlemarch for Meaning

by Grace Martin

Middlemarch is a bit of an enigma to me because it takes what might otherwise be cliché characters, piously canting through detail-dense scenes Continue reading . . . “Grace Martin: Reading Middlemarch for Meaning”

Alana K. Asby: Poems I Can Contemplate

Poems I Can Contemplate

by Alana K. Asby

What a surprising thing the author of Hebrews says about faith!

Kierkegaard would have us think that faith is what you use when there’s no evidence, no certainty, nothing to go on. Continue reading . . . “Alana K. Asby: Poems I Can Contemplate”

The Jester: Thoughts on Jung, Ideas, and Responsibility

Thoughts on Jung, Ideas, and Responsibility

by The Jester

I’ve just made the rather surprising decision to retract my last article and I’m going to try to explain why I did that. I’m in favor of ideas. Continue reading . . . “The Jester: Thoughts on Jung, Ideas, and Responsibility”

Phoebe Anthus: What Mind-Hands Hold

What Mind-Hands Hold

by Phoebe Anthus

There is this something in us all that wants to feel different, wants to feel better than the hodgepodge of thoughtless humanity crowded around us on all sides. We want to feel that we are original, important and altogether a “somebody.” And so, as the light of God’s goodness Continue reading . . . “Phoebe Anthus: What Mind-Hands Hold”

The Jester: Shakespeare’s Jesters

Shakespeare’s Jesters

Then Must the Fool be Wise

by The Jester

What do I know of Fools?
To wit? A foolish one.
Too foolish? But a wit.

“What’s in a name? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” wrote Shakespeare, the great playwright who gave us many of our oldest idioms. Continue reading . . . “The Jester: Shakespeare’s Jesters”

Lynn Michael Martin: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

A Critique of a Good Idea

by Lynn Michael Martin

When I hear a piece of wisdom the first time, I’m inclined to agree with it. When I hear it for the hundredth time, I begin to wonder why it’s popular. Take, for example, the idea that “travel broadens your horizons.” Continue reading . . . “Lynn Michael Martin: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”

Faith Martin: I All Alone Beweep my Outcast State

I All Alone Beweep my Outcast State

by Faith Martin

Posing as an isolated artist, a deeply misunderstood brooding mind, or as an overlooked introvert seems to be a popular theme among writers of poetry. Poets, maybe especially young ones, have tended to have a fascination with Continue reading . . . “Faith Martin: I All Alone Beweep my Outcast State”

Darren Nisly: Morning is Coming

Morning is Coming

By Darren Nisly

There are times in my life when a musical work and an idea of truth become intertwined within me. I cannot hear the piece of music without the associated idea entering into my mind. Continue reading . . . “Darren Nisly: Morning is Coming”

The Jester: A Jester, a Jab, And a Blessing

A Jester, a Jab, and a Blessing

by The Jester

The Jester (the Fool) is free to play with words, ideas, and the world precisely because he is a fool. Not being burdened by great claims to education, writing experience, or intellect, I am what fits me most nearly, and in such liberty I write. Continue reading . . . “The Jester: A Jester, a Jab, And a Blessing”

Lynn Michael Martin: Villette—a Book Review

Villette—a Book Review

by Lynn Michael Martin

This summer, having too much time on my hands and the libraries being closed, I prowled around my mother’s gigantic book collection, trying to find something I hadn’t read. Continue reading . . . “Lynn Michael Martin: Villette—a Book Review”