Keynote address by Dr. Blair at connECtions
Doubtful Christians Make Queer Saints! by Dr. Ralph Blair A shorter version of this text was presented by Dr. Blair at connECtion83 during July, 1983, at San Juan Bautista in California and at Kirkridge in Pennsylvania. (PDF version available here) Introduction Doubtful Christians make queer saints. Do “queer” Christians make doubtful saints? To too many…
Christian Tolerance & Totalitarianism by Dr. Ralph Blair Christian Tolerance & Totalitarianism was Dr. Blair’s keynote address at connECtion84, the summer conferences of Evangelicals Concerned. (PDF version available here) The Christian’s way is always a pilgrim’s way. It’s a life on the road. It’s the adventure of a pioneer. The Christian’s vision is always the…
A Time and Place for Us by Dr. Ralph Blair A Time and Place for Us is an expanded version of the Keynote address given by Dr. Blair at the Eastern and Western connECtions2001. (PDF version available here) Frasier has dragged Niles and their father to a basketball game for “a good night of male-bonding”…
Your Story in His Story The 2015 Evangelicals Concerned Autumn Weekend in Ocean Grove October 9 – 11, 2015 Thornley Chapel Commemorating the Centennials of Anna Bartlett Warner, Fanny Jane Crosby, William Howard Doane and Booker T. Washington Including Three Teachings by Dr. Ralph Blair “The Bible Tells Me So”, “This is My Story” and…
Self-Righteous Enslavement Dr. Ralph Blair Evangelicals Concerned 73rd Connection, May 30, 2015 In 1946, a 20-year-old Flannery O’Connor came north to take part in the prestigious Iowa Writers Workshop. But, privately, she was writing prayers: “Dear Lord, please make my mind vigilant about [loving others]. I say many, many, too many uncharitable things about people…
CHRIST & the Cosmos CHRIST & the Cosmos is the text of the teachings Dr. Ralph Blair presented at the 2014 Evangelicals Concerned Fall Festival in Ocean Grove, NJ, October 3-5, 2014. On the first evening, he presented biographical background on five Christians honored: The 300th Anniversaries of Matthew Henry, James Hervey, William Romaine and…
Self-Centered to Serve: From Selfish Self-Centeredness to Self-Centeredly Informed Service for Others Ralph Blair’s Keynote for connECtion2014 At the time, it was called the “greatest single event in human history”. That was in 1964. Guess what it was! If you were born in 1964 – that wasn’t it. Since it was only 50 years ago,…
Jesus’ Parables of God’s Reign Jesus’ Parables of God’s Reign is the text of the teachings Dr. Blair presented at the 2013 Evangelicals Concerned Fall Festival in Ocean Grove, NJ, October 11-13, 2013. On the first evening, he presented biographical background on four Christians we honor in this, their bicentennial year: David Livingstone – Soren…
To Reject or Receive God’s Reign Matthew 13:1-30, 36-43 In July, Time magazine published The 100 Most Influential People Who Never Lived. Editors drew up this list of fictional characters with some help from “contributors” such as F. Murray Abraham, Jodie Foster and Chris Colfer. The public then voted for its top choices from…
The Humility of God’s Reign Matthew 18:1-10 One day, Jesus did more than merely tell a parable. He produced a parable. He portrayed a parable. He presented a little child in tableau vivant – a “living picture”. Then, as now, a picture can mean more than mere words. But, still, just as ears must be…