Rehabilitating the Romantic Roundhead
I have an axe to grind - or more specifically, I have a 36" munitions quality Birmingham steel cavalry backsword. This "Poldark " thing is starting to really irritate me. The scarred, brooding,…
Category: Miscellaneous Nonfiction
Walking the Green Path: An Herbalist Discovers Her Calling in Assisi
I never set out to be an herbalist. As a graduate student I was offered a scholarship to study art history in Rome. My plan was to explore Neoplatonism as it was expressed in Renaissance…
Thomas Andrews: Master Shipbuilder and Hero
Over a century after she slid beneath the waves, the Titanic continues to fascinate the world. The story of the legendary British ocean liner and its tragic maiden voyage ending on that cold April…
Modern Universities: What's Wrong with the World of Education
Chesterton wrote a book, a collection of essays, which he called 'What's Wrong with the World', and, it seems, a lot, even back in 1912. I thought that I would be a bit more…
Lord or Lady?: The Search for the Divine Gender
Introduction There have been many efforts on the part of humanity to define the Divine “Life Force” that shapes and imbues our universe with its indwelling presence. For example, there have been copious…
Philosophy, Evidence, and Faith: The Conversion of a Science Fiction Author
My conversion was in two parts: a natural part and a supernatural part. Here is the natural part: first, over a period of two years my hatred toward Christianity eroded due to my…
Stephen Fry's "Mean-Minded" God: Christianity, Suffering, and the Story of Easter
Let me be clear on this, I do very much like Stephen Fry. He's a fiercely intelligent person, has fought for worthy causes and is a brilliant host of QI. His quick wit was…
Gloriam Vidi Resurgentis: The Sudden Joyous Turn
Sing and be glad, all ye children of the West for your King shall come again, and He shall dwell among you, all the days of your life. And the Tree that was withered shall…
Queen of Priests, Mother of Sorrow: Our Lady’s Role in Holy Week
Can you believe it? Easter is almost here! There’ll be candy, Easter egg hunts, visits with and from the Easter Bunny, a great feast with family and friends, new Sunday clothes, and of…
Oh, White Lady: Faith as a Struggle
Faith has always been a struggle for me. Indeed, throughout my forty-six years of life, very rarely have I ever felt comfortable for any stretch of time with my religion or my religious practices. …