Monthly Archives: July 2008

The Meaning of Christian Brotherhood

Posted on July 31, 2008 by John Armstrong

One of the very finest books written by Joseph Ratzinger, who would later become Pope Benedict XVI, was titled: The Meaning of Christian Brotherhood (San Francisco: Ignatius, 1993). The original German edition was published in 1960 when Ratzinger was still … Continue reading →

Posted in Unity of the Church | 3 Comments

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Posted on July 30, 2008 by John Armstrong

The well-known American song, "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," is 100 years old this year. It trails only "Happy Birthday" and "The Star-Spangled Banner" as the most frequently performed song in America, at least according to the American … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | 1 Comment

How the U. S. Army Learns from Mistakes

Posted on July 29, 2008 by John Armstrong

David Ignatius, Washington Post syndicated columnist, recently wrote that the U. S. Army was better able to admit its mistakes and change its ways than almost any institution in our society. Intuitively this seems preposterous until you think about it. … Continue reading →

Posted in America and Americanism | 1 Comment

How Bout Those Cubbies?

Posted on July 28, 2008 by John Armstrong

I write ever so often about the Chicago Cubs. I am open about my feelings that I do not much care for the Cubs. This was not always true. When I came to Chicago in 1969 and Ron Santo, Billy … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | 1 Comment

What on Earth Do We Make of Jesse Jackson?

Posted on July 27, 2008 by John Armstrong

Jesse Jackson cannot avoid the news cycle. He is either running here or there in an attempt to free prisoners overseas or he’s making another "racist" statement that should offend millions of black Americans. I am not sure that his … Continue reading →

Posted in Race and Racism | 2 Comments

Acts for Everyone

Posted on July 26, 2008 by John Armstrong

Readers of this blog know that I am appreciative and positive about the biblical theological contributions of Bishop N. T. Wright. They will also know that I profoundly disagree with his social and political views. I written about both in … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Theology | 4 Comments

Obama Got It Wrong About Language

Posted on July 25, 2008 by John Armstrong

A few weeks ago Senator Barack Obama, speaking in Georgia, said that: "Instead of worrying about whether immigrants can learn English, because they will learn English, you need to make sure your child can speak Spanish." This statement raises a … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture | 3 Comments

On Living and Dying Well

Posted on July 24, 2008 by John Armstrong

I have told many friends, over many years, that nothing sobers and strengthens my soul like leading a funeral service. I remember many funny, unusual and delightful moments about scores of weddings I have conducted but I remember almost every … Continue reading →

Posted in Death | Leave a comment

Bleak House: A Dickens Novel on the Screen

Posted on July 23, 2008 by John Armstrong

I discovered Bleak House, as I do so many great film series, browsing in my local library. It seems to be an exceptional adaptation of a Charles Dickens’ novel written between 1851-53. I have seen a number of adaptations of … Continue reading →

Posted in Film | 1 Comment

Ecumenism: A Truly Good Word

Posted on July 22, 2008 by John Armstrong

As I work on my book, Your Church is Too Small, I find that I must again and again explain the proper understanding of the word "ecumenism." For so many it has an entirely negative tone about it. I grew … Continue reading →

Posted in Unity of the Church | 3 Comments