I like reading the texts before I’ve read the lesson material so that I can see what I can learn from them without the direction of the lesson topic. So why do I call this text “out of context” when I haven’t even seen how it will be used by the lesson material. The reason…
I reflect on my experience memorizing Psalm 119 in a Christian school, highlighting the importance of balancing scholarly and spiritual Bible study. I emphasize that reading the Bible shouldn’t be a duty to earn God’s favor, but a personal connection. I encourage diverse approaches to engaging with Scripture, tailored to individual preferences.
When I consider the heavens the work of your fingers the moon and stars which you established What is a man,that you even think of him? Yet you have crowned him with glory and honor. Psalm 8:3-4 (my translation) (Note: The theme image is generated by AI. I’m interested in how applicable the image is….
Christian education programs in churches are often the least well-thought-out elements of church life. Thinking about discipleship provides some answers.
I clarify my stance on Christian involvement in politics, emphasizing that while individual engagement is important, I prioritize meaningful advocacy over quantity of political posts. I advocate for informed voting and respectful dialogue rather than promoting specific candidates or issues, urging others to participate thoughtfully in the democratic process.
In my Sunday School class yesterday we discussed Mark 15. We’re reading this with Allan Bevere’s Keeping Up with Jesus: A Narrative Devotional Commentary on Mark. In the thought questions for chapter 15, Allan asks both why Jesus is silent at his trial as depicted in Mark, and what it means that Jesus died for…
As a continuation of my series on Theodicy, Steve Kindle interviewed me using the same set of questions I’ve used with all the other participants. This was recorded a year ago, but I just finished the production and posted it yesterday. For more information on the series: Theodicy Interview Series.
In a practical sense, I have to agree on this. I’m not sure if that’s the reality behind everything.
From the late Jacob Milgrom’s 3 volume Anchor Bible Commentary on Leviticus, specifically on Leviticus 4:1-35, Purification Offering: The Priestly doctrine of collective responsibility yields yet another corollary. The “good” people who perish with the evildoers are not innocent. For allowing the evildoers to flourish, to pollute the sanctuary beyond repair, they share the blame….
Summarizing attributes of the assembly of dragons and beasts in Revelation 12 & 13.
