Anyone who has had anything to do with the Eastern Orthodox Churches has probably encountered the use of icons – images of events and people from the Gospels and other Biblical books and of the saints. It is one of the aspects of Orthodox worship that has also been embraced by Christians from other traditions.…

At Tūranga, the Christchurch Central Library, there is a digital installation that displays prominent Christchurch landmarks. Visitors can interact with the installation and swipe from area to area, landmark to landmark. When they tap on specific landmarks an information bubble pops up. Included are landmarks such as Cave Rock in Sumner, the Cardboard Cathedral, New…

Sometimes I’ve read a book that is so memorable that years later I not only remember much of the book, but also the emotions I felt when reading it, where I’ve read it, and what the weather was like. One of those was a book by south German author Ottilie Wildermuth. In the middle of…

About a month ago I wrote about a non-Christian song that masquerades as religious (“Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen). In addition, there are probably a few songs that are occasionally sung in churches that are more influenced by secular music and thought than any Christian background. A few weeks ago I sat in a Spanish restaurant…