Stephen’s Witness
Website of the Rev. Dr. Stephen Noll
THE EMPTY TOMB: SACRAMENT OF THE MATERIAL GOD
The Empty Tomb stands at the head of the Easter season as a remembrance that the Resurrection life – Jesus’ and ours – can be entered only by the gate of the body’s death. Jesus did not just…
“EASTER WINGS”: George Herbert on the Resurrection
On Easter morning, a grieving but credulous Mary Magdalene saw two Angels seated in the tomb, where the body of Jesus had lain (John 20:12). I conclude my meditations with George…
EASTER OCTAVE, DAY SIX: The Prodigal Terrorist Enters Paradise
I preached this sermon on Good Friday 2017 at my home parish in Pennsylvania. Since it speaks of an event subsequent to Jesus’ death, it seems appropriate to consider it for Holy…
COME, LET US CONFER: with a Maundy Thursday Update
UPDATE: I am pleased to note the Joint Statement from Archbishops Foley Beach and Henry Ndukuba that was published on Maundy Thursday. This not only clears up the issue raised previously…
THE SACRIFICE: Jesus’ Passion Narrated by George Herbert
This year we are following the gallant sacrifices which many are making to stem the coronavirus, an enemy to our physical health. Holy Week recalls to us that an earlier and greater sacrifice…
COVID-19 VACCINE: Are Clergy First Responders, or Last?
Classically, the work of clergy has been called “the cure of souls.”
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“Bible”: REDISCOVERING THE TAPESTRY OF SCRIPTURE: Understanding Its Plain and Canonical Sense
Imagine yourself standing in front of one of those huge old tapestries that one sees hanging in a cathedral.[1] You immediately notice the intricate weaving into rich patterns of themes taken…
“Contending Anglican”: NO COMPROMISE ON ESSENTIALS
WHY DIALOGUE CANNOT RESOLVE THE SEXUALITY ISSUE IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH AND THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION Note: I wrote this essay in 1998 just prior to the Lambeth Conference and it was published in…
CRY, THE BELOVED COUNTRY: A Parable for Africa … and for Us
As an American returning home from a sojourn in Africa, I sense the fear stalking this land. The days are dark, and I do not know how long the darkness will last.