Author Archives: Kristin Swenson

The Power of Music — Holiness Hitches a Ride

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Kristin Swenson

I feel bad for the psalms, that collection in the Bible called psalmoi, “songs.” Their music, the tunes supposed to accompany them, has been lost to us. Melodies such as “The Lilies,” Doe of the Morning,” and “Do Not Destroy,” … Continue reading →

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Stirring the Stones of the College on the Hill

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Kristin Swenson

Daily chapel wasn’t mandatory when I went to St. Olaf, as it had been in days of yore; but nearly everybody went anyway. It was to be one of many surprises for me. Another: the organ bit at the end … Continue reading →

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Some Musings on the Name of God

Posted on April 29, 2012 by Kristin Swenson

There is a long-standing tradition that no person, no mere mortal, should presume to possess the name of God. The Name, as the reasoning goes, is a holy thing, a handle on the divine not to be trifled with. We … Continue reading →

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Life and Death, Mercy and Dominion

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Kristin Swenson

The following meditation on our relationships with animals, the strange expression “to be at the mercy of,” and what the notion of “dominion” may mean when it comes to the animals who live with us just appeared also on HuffingtonPost. … Continue reading →

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Apolitical Nature

Posted on March 4, 2012 by Kristin Swenson

A princess betrothed to Nebuchadnezzar travels from her palace in Hamadan to Babylon. True story, and it’s angling to be the beginning of my historical novel. Amytis’ journey, 2500 years ago, from what is modern, northern Iran to what is … Continue reading →

Posted in Non-human Natural World, Peace, Persian Empire, War, ancient Near East | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Our Collective Human Heritage

Posted on February 26, 2012 by Kristin Swenson

I know they look boring, but: ancient tablets discovered at Persepolis contain incredibly valuable information not only to scholars of the ancient Near East but to all of us. But they’re most valuable when considered together and publicly available as … Continue reading →

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Iran’s Enduring Natural Beauty

Posted on January 29, 2012 by Kristin Swenson

Legend has it that Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar built the Hanging Gardens of Babylon for his young wife, Amytis, who was homesick for the mountain home of her childhood. That home? — ancient Ecbatana, modern Iran’s Hamadan, one mile above sea … Continue reading →

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Mean and Ugly Prayers

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Kristin Swenson

One thinks of prayers as nice things and of the Bible goodness, wisdom, and light. What an ugly wake-up, then, to find supposedly decent people praying for the President’s death. And they’re using the Bible to do so, no less. … Continue reading →

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Are We Better?

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Kristin Swenson

If Americans know anything at all about Cyrus II, it’s usually positive. The founder of the Persian Empire earned praise then and now for inaugurating a new way to rule: with respect — respect for differences of religion, respect for … Continue reading →

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Anniversary of Crisis and Change — the 10th of Tevet

Posted on January 5, 2012 by Kristin Swenson

Today, Jews (really really observant Jews) fast during the daylight hours to recall a devastating event of over 2500 years ago. This, the 10th day of the month of Tevet, is remembered as the anniversary of the Babylonian king’s assault … Continue reading →

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