Recently I came across this post from a Catholic I follow on X: The context is about how Catholics supposedly “over complicate” worship, adding in all these unnecessary requirements like mandatory mass (including certain holy days of obligation), going to confession, participating in the Eucharist, etc. The Protestant view of discipleship is far simpler: focus… Continue reading “Catholics have convoluted Christianity with tradition”
Tag: Judaism
The communion of saints who led me home
When I think of the people who led me to Christ by faithful example, I naturally think of those I’ve actually met: classmates, mostly. A few older, mentor-like figures.. But that “communion of saints” also includes those who finished the race before me, in previous eras. For me, one of those pivotal figures was Joan… Continue reading The communion of saints who led me home
That awkward Jewish girl at RCIA
I was naive to think I had ever “arrived” in my Christian journey. I’ve thought I found my permanent place, my forever spiritual family, many times throughout adulthood, only to have schisms tear apart the church. Or have close friends move away. Others got married or had babies long before I did, and virtually disappeared.… Continue reading That awkward Jewish girl at RCIA
How anxiety pointed me to the gospel
I’m occasionally asked if I ever consider myself a “completed Jew,” and Christians tend to be surprised when I answer no. The main reason for that is because it’s considered highly offensive to Jewish people. The gospel is offensive enough; I don’t see a need to use language that is inflammatory if I don’t have… Continue reading How anxiety pointed me to the gospel
The answer to “What would you have done?” isn’t that simple
Normal people perhaps don’t grow up thinking what they would have done had they lived in Nazi Germany, but I did. The answer was simple: good people helped hide Jews, or otherwise volunteered their skills to the Resistance. Bad people looked the other way and did nothing, or worse: reported their neighbors who did those… Continue reading The answer to “What would you have done?” isn’t that simple
I left Judaism, but can’t fully leave
In my last post on antisemitism, I touched on Christians celebrating Jewish feasts, and how it causes offense to many Jewish people. I’d be a hypocrite to not expound further on how my own actions as a Jew-“ish” believer can be just as offensive. To an extent, there’s not a whole lot I can do… Continue reading I left Judaism, but can’t fully leave
What is (and isn’t) antisemitism?
With so many people talking about Israel and Gaza, perhaps it's worth visiting what antisemitism actually is. That is, if we can all agree on how that is defined. In the same way that racism can be more complex than burning crosses and white hoods, antisemitism is more than Nazis and concentration camps. I would… Continue reading What is (and isn’t) antisemitism?
An uncommon pariah in an unsafe world
There’s a line from my memoir that goes like this: “Christians are called to be pariahs, to go against the ways of this world. But I am a special kind of pariah.” It refers to the biblical mandate that Christians are to be “not of this world.” Gospel values are always going to make us… Continue reading An uncommon pariah in an unsafe world
My Jewish background and the Ten Commandments in schools
Growing up, I attended a public school system that regularly bent the rules as far as what was permitted under freedom of religion. Football coaches prayed with students before games. Teachers discussed matters of faith with students in the classroom. Faith-based groups visited my health class to discuss abstinence. I didn’t know yet that Jesus… Continue reading My Jewish background and the Ten Commandments in schools
Revisiting my memoir at church book club
This month, my church chose my first book, Confessions of a Prodigal Daughter, for its book club. I hadn’t volunteered the fact that I had written a book, and it was published under my maiden name, so I was surprised that someone managed to find it. I’m not sure how common it is for authors… Continue reading Revisiting my memoir at church book club