Sermons, Connection Talks, Prayers and other works by Dr. Blair
A Study Series for The City Church, New York, Winter, 2002 By Dr. Ralph Blair Introduction Three weeks ago I was in California for a wedding. On Sunday morning, I was taken to Robert Schuller’s Crystal Cathedral where “never is heard a discouraging word.” At least that’s the intention at the palace of “possibility thinking.”…
Our Only Comfort Our Only Comfort in Life and in Death Meditations in The Heidelberg Catechism Dr. Ralph Blair The City Church, New York, October 6, 13, 20, 27, 2002 FIRST LESSON The interruption of everyday life by sudden death and destruction was never as massive here in America as on 9/11 a year ago….
Dr. Ralph Blair’s Remarks to Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays at St. Bartholomew’s Church in New York City, September 8, 2002 Turning to the Bible in a discussion of homosexuality, we don’t have to begin with those few verses that are misused to abuse homosexuals. (You may read my analysis of those verses…
An expanded version of the Keynote address delivered by Dr. Ralph Blair at the Eastern and Western connECtions 2002. INTRODUCTION “Jesus Christ is Lord!” So what! There’s no more foolish non sequitur than that. Yet among so many Christians, there’s no more frequent folly. Of course, among non-Christians, this dismissive statement seems no non sequitur….
A Workshop Presentation for the Western ConnECtion2002 at Chapman University in Orange, California, July 26, 2002 Half a hundred summer connECtions have come and gone since that first one in 1980. My keynote address that summer was entitled: “Getting Close: Steps Toward Intimacy.” I said: “I am going to begin with a neglected passage from…
New York, July 21, 2002 “Eternity” is for sale, and so is “Truth” – as high fashion fragrances from Calvin Klein. And they’re not cheap. That’s the point. And these bottled ego-builders are the least of the luxuries available to those who think they need such things. A New York Times advertising supplement on “The…
A Sermon Preached at City Church, New York, June 23, 2002 What do you think is America’s No. 1-selling children’s video? It’s a Bible story starring a talking tomato and cucumber. And in October, more than a thousand big screens across the country will be showing the VeggieTales version of Jonah and the Whale. But…
An expanded version of a lecture by Dr. Ralph Blair to Courage Trust at the Anglican Church of St. James the Less, Pimlico, London, November 2, 2001 When it comes to the subject of gay and lesbian evangelical Christians, most evangelical Christians agree with most gays and lesbians. Just as Grape-Nuts is neither grapes nor…
A Sermon Preached by Dr. Ralph Blair at City Church, August 26, 2001 Last Sunday’s Style section of The Times featured a report on lavishly crass crosses as statements of fashion if not statements of faith. We’re told that trendsetters disavow Christianity but wear the cross as “a badge of status,” “the latest in hip,”…
A Sermon Preached by Dr. Ralph Blair at City Church, New York, on June 24, 2001 It’s June – the month of brides. And the oldest of all brides is here today in church. She is church. She’s us. As scripture says: We are the Bride of Christ. From the creeds that lie behind the…