Black Elk’s conversion was actually where he found true freedom and fulfillment as a healer and teacher.
Nicholas Black Elk (Black Elk Speaks)
As a medicine man, Black Elk had prepared to visit a dying boy in the village, only to encounter a Jesuit priest praying there first. He encountered a power greater than his own, and accepted an invitation to spend time at the mission. He was baptized and took the name Nicholas shortly after. As a Catholic Catechist (an often downplayed aspect of his life), he was widely considered an apostle to the plains Indians. Thousands of people were brought to faith – both Indian and non-native, through his work and famous preaching.
His primary work was with new converts and as an evangelist alongside the priests — when priests were not available his duties included baptizing and burials. His passion for Christ as the Creator and fulfiller of things drove him to vigorous and passionate study. Nick thought that many of the Lakota spiritual traditions had come from God to teach them to live in a good way and that Christ made sense of all of it. Many experts agree that his practice of the Christian faith, life, and mission were well-integrated with his worldview and practice as a Lakota.
One such integration is the change in symbolism for the sun dance ceremony. Traditionally, it was a time of fasting, prayer, and suffering in order to attain personal power for victory in battle. It has become, and many credit Nicholas Black Elk for this shift, a ceremony of prayer and fasting on behalf of all the people – including enemies. For Nick, it was a ceremony to remind the people of the suffering and death of Christ for all of creation.
Forgiveness and Christus Victor–Greg Boyd
Did Jesus need to die to satisfy the Father’s wrath so that we could receive forgiveness?
FULL REPLAY: Bernie Sanders Amazing Speech in Vatican (4-15-16) – YouTube
Convince Me There’s A God – Archaeology 32
Before we move to the next phase of Israel’s history, let’s review what was available from archaeology about Israel’s kings and other Iron Age II (1000 – 539 BC) notables mentioned in the Bible during the time I was investigating the historical reliability of the Old Testament 45 years ago (except where listed with asterisk **).
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Saint Thomas Christians–India
Saint Thomas Christians
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Saint Thomas Christians, commonly known in India as Syrian Christians or Nasrani, is a community of Christians from Kerala, India, who trace their origins to the evangelistic activity of Saint Thomas in the 1st century, and is one of the oldest Christian communities of the world.
Worth Revisiting: A Christian Allegory
Aslan says that he is known by many names, in many lands and that they will have to discover him and find out his name in their own world.
My favorite book as a child is still my favorite series, The Narnia Chronicles by Catholic author, C.S. Lewis, excluding the Bible of course. It does seem ridiculous because I am an English Literature major who has read thousands of masterpieces, classics, novels, poems, essays, and articles.
What can I say? When I am asked, “What is your favorite book?”, The Narnia Chronicles immediately pop into my mind. I smile and all else fades into the background.
I read the entire series again about ten years ago and I was delighted. C.S. Lewis manages to reveal profound Christian truths in an enchanting tale that captivates little ones.
This is not a heavy-handed, pedantic Victorian style morality tale that pretends to be fiction…
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Timber’s fallen: The plight of immigrant forestry workers | Street Roots
For three decades, Oregon’s timber and forestry sectors have been hoisted up on the backs of thousands of immigrant and guest workers from Latin America. But language barriers and the isolated nature of their work have kept them out of public view, have given them little recourse for workplace violations and have made them susceptible to widespread exploitation.
Source: Timber’s fallen: The plight of immigrant forestry workers | Street Roots
To all the mothers who are homeless for Mother’s Day | Street Roots
For many of us, especially for mothers who are homeless, Mother’s Day is a day that stirs up many intense emotions. In honor of Mother’s Day, I want to say thank you to all the mothers who have taught me so many lessons of love.
Source: To all the mothers who are homeless for Mother’s Day | Street Roots
St. John One: One 