Archive for Brian KonkolPage 3
Fair Trade in the Household of God
The following is a transcript from Daily Sabbath on May 12, 2014, in Christ Chapel of Gustavus Adolphus College (St. Peter, MN). — “The field of the poor may yield much food, but it is swept away through injustice” (Proverbs 13:23). Throughout my first decades of life I heard numerous stories about my ultra-adventurous uncle. Uncle […]
The Sexist Effects of Sexting the Biblical Text
Sexting is commonly known as the act of sending sexually explicit text messages, primarily between mobile phones. The term originated in the Globe and Mail article “Textual gratification: Quill or keypad, it’s all about sex” (May, 2004), and was later added to the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary in 2012. While the original Globe and Mail piece […]
Peaceful Words for Angry Birds
About five years ago a Finnish video game designer sketched a flock of over-sized leg-less birds. Among other things, these birds were both round and red, equipped with large and yellow beaks, thick eyebrows, and intense (slightly deranged) expressions on their faces. While the video game designer refused to laud his creation at the onset, […]
A Lenten Commitment to Homeland Insecurity
In response to the tragic events of September 11, 2001, U.S. President George W. Bush proposed the establishment of an Office of Homeland Security (OHS). In fulfillment of this comprehensive legislative proposition, the Homeland Security Act was signed into law on November 25, 2002, which in turn began the largest U.S. federal government reorganization in […]
Made New. Today. Together.
The following is a transcript from February 10, 2014, in Christ Chapel of Gustavus Adolphus College (St. Peter, MN). As part of the “Opening Celebration of the Spring Term”, this message cites Revelation 21:1-7 and considers the consequences of “being made new” during periods of significant change. The rhythm of an academic calendar offers a […]
Epiphany, Poverty, and Foreign Policy
The following is a transcript from January 6, 2014, in Christ Chapel of Gustavus Adolphus College (St. Peter, MN). As part of the “Daily Sabbath” January-Term rhythm, this homily examines Matthew 2:1-12 and considers the relationship between theology and development. The work of the late South African theologian Steve de Gruchy (“Wise Men Bearing Gifts”, […]
Being Saved from Time in 2014
In order to orientate a variety of foreigners for residence in North America, L. Robert Kohls and his staff at the United States Information Agency constructed a groundbreaking article, “The Values Americans Live By”. In specifics, Kohls felt that visitors to the US needed to understand “common American values”, as such insights would allow them […]
An Invitation to Reconciliation
The following is a transcript from December 15, 2013, in Christ Chapel of Gustavus Adolphus College (St. Peter, MN). As part of an Advent Worship Service of Holy Communion, the following sermon considers Matthew 11:2-11. Over the past week the attention of the world focused on the Republic of South Africa, in order to celebrate […]
Being Human in December
A predominant message of this holiday season seems to be both loud and clear: Our value as human beings is often dictated by our capacity to consume. While the average North American consumes approximately twice as much as fifty years ago, we are significantly less satisfied with the quality of our lives, which is – […]
Everyone Poops
The following presentation was offered on November 19, 2013, during the Gustavus Adolphus College “Building Bridges” fall preview event, a student-led social justice movement, which gathered under the theme, “Disposable Communities? Demanding Environmental Justice”. Alongside Professors Richard Leitch, Laura Triplett, and David Obermiller, my brief thoughts focused on how theology can provide a critical lens […]