Author Archives: arator

About arator

Jesus is alive and the whole Bible is about Him, and I am nobody. I like to till the earth and muse over all things theological.

The Uncommon Lilac

Posted on April 17, 2009 by arator

There is nothing common about the common Lilac, Syringia vulgaris. It has a fragrance that is like nothing else in the landscape, a fragrance that more than makes up for this old standard’s lack of show for the remainder of … Continue reading →

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Freedom and Slavery

Posted on April 16, 2009 by arator

For to the just all the evils imposed on them by unjust rulers are not the punishment of crime, but the test of virtue. Therefore the good man, although he is a slave, is free; but the bad man, even … Continue reading →

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He Is Risen! He Is Risen Indeed!

Posted on April 12, 2009 by arator

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, … Continue reading →

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Lord’s Day 15

Posted on April 12, 2009 by arator

(Second Part: Of Man’s Redemption—Questions 12-85) 37. What dost thou understand by the word: Suffered? That all the time He lived on earth, but especially at the end of His life, He bore, in body and soul, the wrath of … Continue reading →

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Lifted Up Was He to Die

Posted on April 10, 2009 by arator

Flowering dogwood, Cornus florida, is probably the most widely-planted spring-flowering tree in the eastern half of North America. It will grow anywhere it can get a moderate amount of rainfall, but its native habitat is that of an understory tree … Continue reading →

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The Pilgrim City of King Christ

Posted on April 9, 2009 by arator

aint Augustine, like all good teachers likes to ramble, just a bit. It will be a dozen or more “books” into The City of God before Augustine gets to the real meat of his subject, but the journey to the … Continue reading →

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Lord’s Day 14

Posted on April 5, 2009 by arator

(Second Part: Of Man’s Redemption—Questions 12-85) 35. What is the meaning of: Conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary? That the eternal Son of God, who is and continues true and eternal God, took upon Him the … Continue reading →

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Beautiful Contradictions

Posted on April 3, 2009 by arator

The eastern redbud, Cercis canadensis, is badly named, common as well as Latin. It is certainly eastern, found native in the south-eastern quarter of the United States, yet canadensis refers to Canada, where this small tree is not even remotely … Continue reading →

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The Faith from Another Age

Posted on April 2, 2009 by arator

verything I have been reading or listening to this past winter seems to have references to Saint Augustine’s The City of God. It is something I have wanted to read for some time, so I have decided to read it … Continue reading →

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Lord’s Day 13

Posted on March 29, 2009 by arator

(Second Part: Of Man’s Redemption—Questions 12-85) 33. Why is He called God’s only begotten Son, since we also are the children of God? Because Christ alone is the eternal, natural Son of God; but we are the children of God … Continue reading →

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