Chris Dierkes

Chris Dierkes

Chris was raised in the US and now lives in Canada (having emigrated in via marriage to my beautiful wife). He's a Christian (Anglican) priest, holding a Master’s Degree in Divinity (MDiv).

Though a Christian and that lens ultimately is the one through which he sees the world, Chris has spent a number of years studying and practicing various practices from many of the world’s great religious traditions. He has written and thought a great deal about the relationship between religion, society, and politics in the contemporary world.

In the great debate between secularism and religion (as it is commonly understood and practiced) in our day and age, Chris feels like Leslie Nielsen’s Dr. Rummack in Airplane! When told that the passengers had the choice between fish and steak as their on-flight meal, Rummack responds, “Oh yes, I remember I had the lasagna.”

The fish of secularism and the steak of common religion will not do. Only the lasagna of post-postmodern religion will satiate. We hope you like Italian.

Tuesday, 12 July 2011 21:36

Sermon in Audio: Bondage and Awakening

  Audio and text of my sermon from last Sunday, on St. Paul's Letter to the Romans and the division between the worlds of bondage and the Spirit.
Monday, 04 July 2011 19:55

America's Theme Song

  This Fourth of July, celebrate the essence of America with a profanity laced self-parody of the US.
  A forum dedicated to feedback about the site from our readers. Send us your thoughts.  
Tuesday, 28 June 2011 17:58

Arj Barker on Cruelty Free Soap

  Arj Barker cleanses cruelty from the kingdom of his shower.  Hilarious.
  What do mutants have to teach us about the creation of humanity community? 
Tuesday, 21 June 2011 18:19

One More Perspective on the Riots

  My boss, Dean Peter Elliott with a very thoughtful and eloquent response to the Vancouver riots.
Wednesday, 15 June 2011 04:25

Book of Mormon Set to Music

  The Matt Stone and Trey Parker (of South Park and Team America fame) musical Book of Mormon won 9 Tony Awards this past weekend.  Who know Mormons were so hip?  
Sunday, 12 June 2011 02:38

Can We Ever Truly Judge One Another?

    A sustained critical reflection and reply to an oft-quoted line from Paulo Coehlo.  
Wednesday, 08 June 2011 04:54

Why to Practice Sabbath and How

  A short personal reflective piece I wrote last week on the value of the practicing the Sabbath.      
Wednesday, 01 June 2011 02:14

Interfaith Dialogue Sucks

  Rabbi Eric Yoffie with an excellent piece on the problems (and solutions) of typical interfaith dialogue.
Tuesday, 24 May 2011 19:40

Bill Simmons on Phil Jackson

    Bill Simmons on the likely end of Phil Jackson's utterly amazing coaching career.  
  A practical how to guide for bringing back superstition into your life through the medium of sports.
Next week, Beams and Struts will be entirely devoted to the great human enterprise of sport. Beginning Monday May 23 through Sunday May 29, we will shine a post-postmodern light on the sporting life. Let the games begin.
Friday, 13 May 2011 22:16

The Actually Good Fleetwood Mac

  Did you know Fleetwood Mac was originally a rockin' blues band? Forget the 1970s pop crapfest. Tune in tonight for the real Mac Attack.
  Indian food, tea, beer, Awakening, and the Creative Future--all in one night.  A Beams & Struts eyewitness report.  
Sunday, 24 April 2011 19:54

Happy Pascua

Today for Western Christians marks the festival of Jesus' Resurrection.  Happy Resurrection Sunday to you all.  
Thursday, 21 April 2011 16:34

Thomas Hubl in Vancouver Tuesday April 26

  Thomas Hubl, German spiritual teacher is coming to Vancouver this Tuesday April 26.  Get ready.
Saturday, 26 March 2011 04:37

Phil Collins Rap Godfather Edition

A perhaps little known fact is that Phil Collins is a kind of sampled godfather in the rap game.  The Jukebox tonight features the godfatherly influence of Phil Collins on the world of hip hop. Click the read more and crank that s#@!.
Thursday, 24 March 2011 15:51

Site Changes to Beams & Struts

  You may noticed things are slightly different visually and structurally around here at Beams.  I thought I'd give a quick mini-guided tour of the changes to the site
Tuesday, 15 March 2011 00:04

Anti-Vegasization of Vancouver

  Do Christian leaders have any social relevance anymore?  Find out as a bunch of us (myself included) sign a petition to stop Vancouver becoming a Canadian Vegas.    
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