Another Reformation Day has come and gone. Each year the day gives us occasion to reflect on the significance of the upheavals of the Sixteenth Century—upheavals that changed the religious, social, and cultural landscape of the West, especially the western church. What was at stake? What was it...
Rev. Travis Scholl is managing editor of theological publications at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. His most recent book is "Walking the Labyrinth" (IVP 2014). He writes on religion and culture for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch at www.stltoday.com.
You know, Travis, I was thinking along the same lines. Not only the ritual of what’s going on via the tube but what also happens among family and friends before, during, and after the game. I wonder if someone is wearing their lucky (because it hasn’t been washed) jersey or if there is a chair for the family patriarch or matriarch. It seems as much as we hate to admit it, by our DNA, we are creatures of ritual.
I especially liked the “denomination” byte at the end. Nice article.
Thanks, Jaime. I think you’re right on about all the ritual aspects of the event. I think that when we look at a lot of what goes on in culture through the lens of “ritual” a lot more of what “we” do makes more sense.
Jaime Nava February 8, 2012
You know, Travis, I was thinking along the same lines. Not only the ritual of what’s going on via the tube but what also happens among family and friends before, during, and after the game. I wonder if someone is wearing their lucky (because it hasn’t been washed) jersey or if there is a chair for the family patriarch or matriarch. It seems as much as we hate to admit it, by our DNA, we are creatures of ritual.
I especially liked the “denomination” byte at the end. Nice article.
Travis Scholl February 9, 2012
Thanks, Jaime. I think you’re right on about all the ritual aspects of the event. I think that when we look at a lot of what goes on in culture through the lens of “ritual” a lot more of what “we” do makes more sense.