The Danger of a Politician Preaching a Sermon There’s an embedded illusion among people about preaching: “Any old stick can preach a sermon.” An Episcopal Canon to the Ordinary once told me, “Having a preaching workshop for my preachers would be a waste of time. They all think they should be preaching at the National Cathedral.” Some of my preaching students felt a built-in disdain for the work required in a preaching class. Somewhere they had gotten the idea that... Read more

The Original Magadonians The Exodus narrative, so essential to Jewish and Christian history, begins in the book of Genesis. As the story unfolds, in the book of Exodus there’s the narrative of the original Magadonians. The label “Magadonians” has become a shorthand for reference to the MAGA devotees of Donald Trump. The antagonist in the Exodus story is Pharaoh. Walter Brueggemann says Pharoah is clearly a metaphor because he is never named. There is always Pharoah. If you have seen... Read more

Trust and Verify The lectionary lessons for the Second Sunday in Lent are an unusual mix: Genesis 9, Romans 4, and Mark 8. Walter Brueggemann observes, “The lectionary committee has done a hard and mean thing to us. It has juxtaposed to these powerful texts about Abraham and Sarah a Gospel story in which Jesus says, ‘I must die, I must be crucified.’ Then Jesus, in the face of Peter’s resistance, gives us a powerful, frightening invitation: “If anyone would... Read more

The Prophets Speak to Evangelicals What if a group of Old Testament prophets were dropped in Washington, D. C. today, February 19, 2024? Imagine that God sends a delegation of three prophets to speak to our nation? And imagine the delegation selected is Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Amos. As Ezekiel puts it, “Whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house), they shall know that there has been a prophet among them” (Ezekiel 2: 5) Cornel West, in Democracy... Read more

When God hung the rainbow in the sky after the flood, humanity received the divine sign of hope and life. Genesis 9 offers us a bright and shining portrait of God. When reading the flood narrative, when I get to the rainbow, I feel a sense of relief. “Thank God that’s over!” The mixture of rain and sunshine cooperates to make a rainbow. God – the rainbow-hanging God. Look, every time God brings a word of peace to the world,... Read more

Is Idolatry Our National Problem?   If the Hebrew prophets toured America this week – Super Bowl week – what would they think and speak? I think their subject would be idolatry. I expect a response of incredulity to my claim. “Idolatry? Did you say idolatry? America is a Christian nation, founded by Christians.” We are the image culture, the digital age, the people with our faces stuck in our phones, I-pads, and computers. As Aaron took the gold of... Read more

Contradictions, Explanations, and Excuses There are more instances of cognitive dissonance in our politics than we can count. People can’t agree on what is true. People argue over what constitutes justice, character, integrity, and democracy. Listen to enough Trump voters and you will be treated to a cornucopia of cognitive dissonances. The Contradictions of Trump and His Supporters A voter says, “I believe our elected leaders should have strong moral character, but I’m voting for Trump. Republican leaders are saying,... Read more

The Eagle Has Fallen There’s an eagle in 2 Esdras 11 that faces judgment. The eagle represents a power oppressing the meek and injuring the peaceable. More pointedly, the eagle has “hated those who tell the truth and have loved liars.” According to the prophecy of 2 Esdras the eagle will now face the consequences of its insolence. “Therefore you, eagle, will surely disappear, you and your terrifying wings, your most evil little wings, your malicious heads, your most evil... Read more

“Trouble Trouble Right Here in Church” I Corinthians 9:16-23 Clyde Edgerton’s novel Where Trouble Sleeps takes place in sleepy Listre, North Carolina. No one ever thought trouble would take up residence in Listre. It is the kind of rustic crossroads where the most exciting event in years was a collision between a mule and a pickup truck. It’s the kind of place where it seems like nothing ever changes – until the fateful day when everything changes at once. When... Read more