•Against Gnosticism: Why the Gnostic Christians were not Christian
Against Gnosticism: Why the Gnostic Christians were not Christian by Kathy SimcoxIn early Christianity there were many alternative views that claimed to have authority over one another. Hundreds of rival teachers all claimed to teach the “true doctrine of Christ” and denounced all others as frauds. All claimed to represent “the authentic tradition”. Jesus himself was the only authority they all recognized.1 One of these alternative views was Gnostic Christianity, which gained popularity in...
•Eusebius and the Christian Martyrs
Eusebius and the Christian Martyrs by Kathy SimcoxLyons and Vienne were cities situated on the River Rhone (139) in Gaul, or modern-day France. These cities were part of the Roman Empire in the second century A.D. Although the text doesn’t specifically state this, it does give us many clues. The author points out that the Christians were barred from the baths and forum (139), both of which were part of the Roman infrastructure, as was the amphitheatre, where many of the executions took place...
•Pray Before You Vote
Pray Before You Vote by Kathy SimcoxI was hesitant to share these words out of a concern of turning them into a religious sermon or political plight. But then I decided to share them anyway because, thanks to President George W. Bush, I am still free to speak my mind the way I choose.I consider myself to be a woman of very strong faith. Being actively involved in a wonderful Lutheran church, I can not think of a better way to spend my Sunday mornings. But despite my religious convictions, I...
•The Art of Baseball: Having Faith in Yourself
The Art of Baseball: Having Faith in Yourself by Kathy SimcoxThe Art of Baseball: Having Faith in Yourself© by Kathy SimcoxIt all started with the click of a mouse button and a credit card number. The next thing I knew I was sitting in a Broadway theatre in mid-town Manhattan watching my first play and having the time of my life. As my eyes feasted on this spectacle, I wondered to myself, how could I do that, too?Now, as I stand on an empty stage in my own hometown some three years later,...
•The Crucifixion and Escapism: Theories of Karl Marx and Mircea Eliade
The Crucifixion and Escapism: Theories of Karl Marx and Mircea Eliade by Kathy SimcoxIn analyzing Jesus’ crucifixion with regard to Karl Marx and Mircea Eliade, I found a startling similarity: the deep desire to escape the world. The cross symbolizes and encompasses this desire, although the two theorists define its manifestation differently. As always, Karl Marx interpreted most issues of his time using the concept of social struggle. There was always an ongoing battle between workers and...
•The Point of the Passion
The Point of the Passion by Kathy SimcoxI’ve been thinking a lot about The Passion of the Christ the past few weeks and have heard mixed reviews and comments regarding much of the information presented in the film. I’ve heard how the film is “anti-Semitic” and how it presents the Jewish people in a bad light, blaming them for Christ’s death. I’ve heard how horribly violent it is; during a prescreening in my hometown there were countless theatergoers who left the film early because they...
•The Politics of Freedom
The Politics of Freedom by Kathy SimcoxThe war on terror should not be a political war. It should not be a war pitting Republican against Democrat or Christian against Muslim. The war on terror is a war on evil. There have been countless wars in our world that to some extent have protected against some level of evil. But this evil we fight today is an evil more bitter, more deadly, than anything you or I have ever lived to see. It is an evil so deeply rooted in hatred that it will take a...
•What Will Your Eyes See?
What Will Your Eyes See? by Kathy SimcoxI will lift up mine eyes to the hills –from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Ps 121:1-2What a wonderful statement of Christian faith! It gives me profound hope to know that during times of confusion and despair, all we need to do is raise our weary eyes to the hills and He will be there to comfort us with outstretched arms. His outstretched arms. I can’t help but think about the point of Christ’s Passion....
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