1 Corinthians 15:1-11 I haven’t read a lot of philosophy, only excerpts here and there, but one of my favorite philosophers is that great mid-20th century philosopher: Popeye. Now before you laugh – well I guess it’s too late for that . . . . But Popeye was making a profound philosophical comment when he said: “I yam what I yam, and that’s all that I yam.” In fact, Popeye would have to be classified as an existentialist because he... Read more
1 Corinthians 14:26-40 God has made us one Body out of many members. He has given each of us different gifts that are supposed to work all together for the edification of the Body and the glory of God. But we know that humanly speaking if you just gather together a lot of people who all have something to say and have a stake in what’s happening, there would be chaos without an order to the community that was created.... Read more
1 Corinthians 14:12-25 St. Paul is a bulldog! Even in discussing the use of God’s gifts, which could easily be hoarded for self, Paul’s focus is so clearly on what is edifying to others. This is why St. Chrysostom says: “The building up of the church is Paul’s touchstone in everything he says.” This desire of Paul to focus on what will edify or build up others, and his dogged determination to do whatever it takes to bring Christ to... Read more
1 Corinthians 14:1-12 In St. Paul’s fascinating discussion of the gifts of tongues and prophecies we sometimes miss the main point of his words. He wasn’t producing a manual on these gifts or defining exactly what they were (I wish he had!) His main point, not surprisingly, is that use the spiritual gifts we have are for the edification of the Church. In verse 3 of Chapter 14, Paul provides the reason why the gift of prophesying is superior to... Read more
1 Corinthians 12: 31b – 13:13 On August 23rd of 2005, Hurricane Katrina was born as a tropical depression in the southeastern Bahamas, strengthening into a tropical storm the next day. A few hours before landfall in south Florida at around 6.30 EDT on August 25th, Katrina strengthened to become a category 1 (wind speeds of 75 mph or greater) hurricane. Continuing to strengthen and move northwards during the next 3 days, Katrina reached maximum wind speeds on the morning... Read more
No man is an island Read more
1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Have you ever wanted to be a superhero? I wrote a novel when I was in college about a guy name Tom Noone who wanted to be a superhero named Zolton – but that’s a different story! Growing up, I liked the Hulk, among other superheroes. My favorite villain was the Hulk’s nemesis, the Leader. The Leader had also been belted by gamma ray but instead of it making him green and strong, it made him green... Read more
1 Corinthians 11:17-34 There is too much to meditate on in this one chapter (the 1928 Prayer Book lectionary conveniently skips verses 2-16!) It’s really a choice between focusing on the relationships and roles of men and women and meditating more on the Lord’s Supper. Since the latter is not addressed so clearly elsewhere in Scripture, that will be my focus. I contend that the way we come to the Lord’s Supper is a good picture of the way we... Read more
It’s time again for Erlandson’s Special and General Theories of Sacramentality. If you’ve been reading Give Us This Day for a while, you might remember that Erlandson’s Special Theory of Sacramentality states that God’s grace is communicated through and visibly signified by His special Sacraments of Baptism and Communion, if faithfully received. Erlandson’s General Theory of Sacramentality states that God’s grace is generally communicated through and visibly signified by His all of His creation, if faithfully received, with thanksgiving. St.... Read more
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Monday of 5th Sunday in Lent – 1 Corinthians 15:12-19
1 Corinthians 15:12-19 “Theology’s not important.” I’ve heard a lot of statements to that effect before. Well, here’s a little theology: Jesus Christ is risen! No, not a little theology, a lot of theology. So central is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ which we will celebrate in Easter in two short weeks, and which we celebrate every Lord’s Day, that without it you don’t have Christianity. The Resurrection is so much at the crux of Christianity that without it, our... Read more