What I Believe
For more than three decades I worked professionally as an economist, focusing on the economics of regulation, industrial organization, transportation, telecommunications, and micro-economics in general. Later in life, God called me to ordained ministry. After seminary training, I served as pastor in churches in Massachusetts and Maine, and I continue my ministry through the postings, sermons and theological and religious written material on this site.
My politics are libertarian. I am very convinced that reliance on decentralized markets delivers results superior to those of centralized command and control systems.
My Christian Beliefs
My salvific experience of our Lord, Jesus Christ, introduced me to joy. Joy has accompanied me in my Christian life, in my study of Christian teachings, and in my ordained pastoral ministry. I have employed certain portions of the Nicene Creed to offer you this summary of my beliefs. The music that flows in, through and around those affirmations is joyful music of assurance and praise and thanksgiving for the steadfast love of the one and triune God.
In its broadest contours the Nicene Creed affirms belief in God, Jesus the Christ, the Holy Spirit, God’s church (one, holy, catholic, and apostolic), one baptism, and the resurrection of the dead into the world to come:
- I believe in God: “In your presence there is fullness of joy … ” (Psalm 16:11) and “My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.” (Psalm 84:2)
- I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ: “Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, … (1 Peter 1:8)
- I believe in the Holy Spirit: “For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14: 17)
- I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church: “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 1:6)
- I acknowledge one baptism (and the vocation of ministry into which it calls each of us): our model is the ministry of Jesus Christ, “… looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)
- I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come: “But / rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed.” (1 Peter 4:13)