Category Archives: writings

my reflections, essays, and books

Quod Erat Demonstrandum

Quod Erat Demonstrandum This is how it works. After a long indwelling, shape awareness comes— kenning what must be the shape of the solution, if any exists. Once that shape is felt, reason, a sculptor’s chisel, frees the shape from … Continue reading

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To Hear the Falconer

My father, Howard Webber, has published a long-awaited book: To Hear the Falconer: Song and Prophecy for the Time of War, Want, and Warming.  It is an epic poem—song, prophecy, and prayer—crafted using many scriptural quotations and allusions.  I remember … Continue reading

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The Song Of God

For the last five years I have been in an ordination process under the supervision of a denominational committee.  That committee is called the Ministry Team for Authorized Ministers; it’s a committee of the Prairie Association of the Illinois Conference … Continue reading

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Fasting at Perspectives

I have an essay on fasting, “Why Fast? Ten Contentious Reasons“, in this month’s issue of Perspectives.  While you’re there, do check out the rest of Perspectives—it’s an interesting journal speaking from within the Reformed stream of Christianity.  I particularly … Continue reading

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Fiction: Eucharist

The priest was a very careful man, and we all knew it. We always sat in the same place, and we always had a great view of his methodical work at the altar. Sometimes the incense tickled our noses there, … Continue reading

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Fiction: P.S.

…I hope this finds you and your dear wife well.  Please give my regards to Anne and Bill and our other friends at the Institute. Yours truly, Alvin P.S. I forgot to mention: I have been working on a new … Continue reading

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Animals’ Meditation on Psalm 83

Animals’ Meditation on Psalm 83 O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God! Even now your enemies are in tumult; those who hate you have raised their heads. They lay crafty plans … Continue reading

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Junior Faculty

It’s back-to-school time, so here’s a lesson about teaching that I learned from a dear colleague in 1994, my first year as a professor. It’s expressed here as a sonnet, entirely in words of one syllable. Junior Faculty Once, in … Continue reading

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Chapter 5, Section 8: A Last Word

A Last Word In this chapter on Creeds, it seems only fitting to give the last word to a heretic: to wit, Pelagius, a Christian monk of the late fourth and early fifth centuries.  After a long struggle to defend … Continue reading

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Chapter 5, Section 7: One Example

One Example The idea that Christianity is defined by the Creeds is very pervasive, and many people think that they have to give up on Christianity because they don’t fit that definition.  To combat that perspective, I’d like to give … Continue reading

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