Monday: Read 2 Peter 1:1-15 We are not certain as to when this letter was written. It seems likely that 2 Peter was written somewhat later, perhaps near the end of Peter’s life (65 AD)[2] since there must have been enough time for people to begin scoffing at the delay in Christ’s return (2 Pet 3:3-9). The letter was certainly written to Gentile Christians. If 1st Peter focused on the reward for the righteous, then 2nd Peter centers on the... Read more
New Creation: sounds good. No more death, suffering, or hunger (for much of the world this is really good news), and free water from which we never thirst again (this too is really good news for much of the world). And, check this out, Rev 22:4 says, “They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.” Yes!!! Remember how Moses wasn’t allowed to see God’s face because “no man can see Me and live”? (Exod 33:20).... Read more
Monday: Read 1 Peter 3:1-7[2] Today’s reading is a prime example in which understanding the cultural context (in this case, the Greco-Roman context) is critical to a proper understanding of the text. In the Greco-Roman world, a family’s religion was mediated through the father/husband. The conflict for many women in the early church was created when they came to faith in Christ and their husbands did not. The end result is that these women were following a god different from... Read more
In my last post, I suggested that the although the notion of deconstructing our faith is becoming more popular, and although I sympathize with many of those who are advancing such ideas, I am not sure that it is the proper term or a healthy endeavor.[1] Instead, I would contend that we should focus on reconstructing—which incorporates and expands on deconstruction. Unfortunately, many are skeptical of the whole deconstruction movement. Which raises the question: “why do we need to reconstruct?”... Read more
Monday: Read 1 Pet 1:1-12 The letter of 1st Peter is one of the hidden gems of the Bible. The letter is addressed to Christians throughout Northern Asia Minor: “Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia” (1:1). In this letter, Peter describes his readers as an exilic people and strangers. And though one might think that Peter is addressing Jewish Christians, the letter indicates that they have come from a pagan background (1:14, 18; 2:10, 25; 4:3-4) and thus they are... Read more
My wife and I finally sat down to watch The Chosen. The Chosen is a multi-season series based on the life of Jesus. One of the things I like about the show is that it humanizes the stories. I don’t know about you but when I read the story of Jesus healing the paralytic (Mark 2:1-12) I fail to consider the emotions that would have been present. Instead, when I read, the story ends abruptly with, “And he got up... Read more
Monday: Read James 3:1-12 James opened with a reminder that we should be “quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger” (1:19). Then, in 1:26, he asserted, “If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless.” In 2:1-12, James reiterates the royal law of love and added, “So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of... Read more
Likely by now, you have seen the marketing campaign known as “He Gets Us.” Much to my surprise, critical reviews are coming in from all sides. Secular critiques include this one from CNN.com. As I read through their assessment of the campaign it came across to me as though they didn’t like the campaign and were fishing for reasons to be critical. They did find one: their primary criticism was that those behind the campaign are evangelicals: “While ‘He... Read more
Monday: Read James 1:1-4; John 7:1-5; Acts 15:13-29 The book of James was written by James (1), but which one? The most likely answer is James the brother of Jesus. The writer of this letter certainly has authority over and the respect of the community to whom the letter was written. And it is evident from the account of the Jerusalem council in Acts 15 that James the brother of Jesus was the leader of the Jerusalem church (Acts 15:13-29).... Read more
Monday: Read Hebrews 12:1-3 The writer of Hebrews now challenges his/her readers to look towards the “great cloud of witnesses” (1) as examples of running with perseverance. The context of their perseverance is their present sufferings. The author’s exhortation is simple: persevere as they did. The author sets the Christian life in the context of a sporting event (1). That the event calls for perseverance suggests that it is not a sprint but a long-distance run. The author then transitions... Read more
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