Lectionary Reflections for August 25, 2013 Jeremiah 1:4-10 Psalm 71:1-6 Hebrews 12:18-29 Luke 13:10-17 God’s Providence: Abstract or Concrete God’s call of Jeremiah is one of my favorite Biblical stories. I can relate to the prophet’s dilemma: the prophet is uncertain of his vocation and protests his inexperience and fallibility. He doesn’t think he is up to the task that God has called him to. God responds to his fears, and mine, by saying: “I have been moving in your... Read more
There’s always a giant blocking our future; but, we have the resources to respond with creativity and persistence to overcome what stands in our way. These obstacles can be Goliath-like in nature, but God has given us five stones and the example of the young shepherd David to respond to any crisis that stands in our way. Certain practices will give us the focus, persistence, and power to defeat these giants just as David defeated Goliath with five small stones. ... Read more
Lectionary Reflections for August 18, 2013 Isaiah 5:1-7 Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19 Hebrews 11:19-12:2 Luke 12:49-56 What is God’s role in natural disasters that devastate whole cities and nations? It seems that every time there is a human-made or natural disaster, certain televangelists and conservative spiritual leaders have a field day. They directly inform us why innocent lives were destroyed and the source is usually God. Remember 9/11? A number of public preachers identified the terrorist attack with God’s withholding of... Read more
Today’s readings describe impossible possibilities. Isaiah challenges the people to go from apathy to awareness and transform their worship from ritual to justice-seeking. Hebrews tells the story of Abraham and Sarah following God’s promises that, although they are childless, they will become the parents of a nation. Jesus asks his followers to stay awake in every season of life, and sell their possessions to have resources to give to the poor. As a pastor, professor, and householder, I don’t know which of these... Read more
I applaud Preston Sprinkle’s Fight: A Christian Case for Nonviolence. He presents a timely word to Christians who wrap the Bible in the American flag and support the USA’s military adventurism, when led by Republican presidents, whole-heartedly, claiming divine sanction for our militaristic policies. His words invite us to take a second look at violence as a way of solving diplomatic disagreements. He also reminds us that Jesus’ radical hospitality embraced foe as well as friend. At the very least, national war-making must be... Read more
Mark Scandrette’s Free: Spending Your Time and Money on What Matters Most is a testimony to simple living. It is also, to the surprise of some readers, I suspect, a hymn to abundant life. The heart of the text can be found in Scandrette’s Prayer of Abundance (23), in which the affirmation that we are cared for by an abundant provider inspires us to bless the world by our actions and way of life. According to John’s Gospel, Jesus’ mission statement... Read more
Darren Wilson’s book explores what it means to have a personal relationship to God and, more importantly, what it means for God to have a personal relationship to us. This is the best of evangelical popular theology taken to its theological and experiential conclusions. Read more
Thank God that we can “know” God; but thank God also that God is shrouded in unfathomable mystery. In the liveliness of faith, we need both intimacy and prophetic distance. Read more
Lectionary Reflections for Pentecost 10 — July 28, 2013 Texts: Hosea 1:2-10; Psalm 85; Colossians 2:6-15; Luke 11:1-13 Today’s readings are profoundly theocentric in their proclamation of a universal God for whom the affairs of humans and nations are of significance. The readings also present the many faces of God – as challenger, restorer, enemy, parent, and transformer. The God of Hosea is morally ambiguous, destroying and demeaning as a prelude to new creation. The Psalmist images God as the source of national restoration. ... Read more
[This post is part of a roundtable conversation on the new book, Resurrection Year by Sheridan Voysey, now featured at the Patheos Book Club.] Sheridan Voysey’s Resurrection Year is a testament to faith and honesty. It opens the door for faithful Christians to take theology seriously and go beyond the rote recitation of “orthodox” doctrines, especially when time after time our prayers remain unanswered. Author Madeleine L’Engle describes a question she once received following a lecture at a Christian college. ... Read more
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