Bits and pieces this week. (more…) Read more

Two parables today, that of the unjust servant, and that of the good samaritan. First, though, a practical note based on Matt 18:8. “Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.” (more…) Read more

Today is a bit harried. We’ve been on the road, my wife successfully defended her PhD, and we’re on the road again. Consequently, I my original commentary is minimal. Today’s reading covers several interesting stories, including the “key” discussion at Caesarea Philippi and the Transfiguration. (more…) Read more

Last Saturday night, I was asked to pinch hit for Gospel Doctrine. Since my posts here aren’t written as lesson plans, what and how I teach often differ significantly from what I write. Our lesson ended with some text criticism, close reading, and critical thinking about tradition, and by the end of the lesson, I had a coherent thread tying it all together. This write-up is both minimal and all from memory, though. We started by having everyone read John 5:1-18, the... Read more

Matthew 13 is a series of long and short parables,  which furnishes us with a good opportunity to talk about parables in general, followed by a few specific comments. (more…) Read more