Changing deeds and words of Jesus is not something recent in Christian history—from New Testament times this has always occurred. “Changing things! They want to change everything,” the Trad screamed. “Those liberal heretics are always changing things!” I don’t know about you, but I have a number of brothers and sisters, like the one above, incensed with the idea of change. Hated change is all around them. The world we live in knows rapid change. In fact, it has always... Read more
Baptism, when it comes to Jesus’ own, was both revelation and discovery of his identity. Baptism and Jesus, the subject of last Sunday’s Gospel from our Common Lectionary. Did John really baptize the historical Jesus? And how would we know for sure? When it comes to historical research, high probability equals moral certainty. Historical scholars have developed and use various criteria for determining what materials in the Gospels conform to the historical situation of Jesus. These would be features of... Read more
Hart vs Martin: good men grapple over the mystery of God’s salvation and justice. The brilliant philosopher, theologian, and author David Bentley Hart has stirred the pot yet again concerning our unhealthy predilection for perdition. In a New York Times opinion piece, Hart, author of the controversial “That All Shall Be Saved: Heaven, Hell and Universal Salvation,” delves into the psychological alure so many Christians have concerning Hell. The hornet’s nest of heresy hunters is buzzing with activity. But beyond... Read more
Self to Jesus Meant?—Inappropriate questions about Jesus’ self-consciousness are generated by Western ethnocentrism. Self, as in know thyself, is of interest as far as Jesus goes. How would you address Jesus’ self-knowledge? Inappropriate behavior among Western Christians abounds due to anachronism and ethnocentrism. As we have explored elsewhere, anachronism means trying to force-fit the Scriptures and Jesus into our historical situation. Generally speaking, anachronism is attributing any custom, event, or object into a time period to which it does not... Read more
Comedian Ricky Gervais may have just shown us a glimpse of a rare sight: COSTLY GRACE. Comedian. British. Writer. Director. Actor. Producer. Musician. These are words employed to describe funnyman Ricky Gervais. How about one more? What about prophet? Well maybe that is going too far. Or perhaps a tad bit far? It all depends on how you understood what a prophet is. What are the qualities of a prophet? If you think of a prophet (wrongly) as a glorified secretary... Read more
Magi in “Matthew,” often thought in spurious familiarity as “Three Kings,” showcase many layers of history and symbolism that contributes to the Feast of Epiphany. Magi figure prominently in the Feast of “Three Kings,” or “Epiphany.” This is a beloved part of Christmas. For many Catholics, this is the true Christmas, the day gifts are opened. Beautiful traditions surround this Feast. But who were the Magi? What were they about? How many Magi were there? Throughout December until now, Messy... Read more
Celestial Occurrence is but one trope featured in manuals instructing ancients how to write about great men and their births, and “Matthew” follows these rules strictly. Celestial. Astral. Sky Vault. Unfamiliar terms for modern Christians spuriously familiar with the Gospels and Christmas origins. But understood rightly, these are the right terms to unlock much of the New Testament. Even the earliest of Christmas stories, Matthew 1—2, describes the birth of Jesus and surrounding events filled with celestial or astral or sky... Read more
Did Mary know everything that is asked in the popular Christian song, “Mary Did You Know?“ Did you know that there is a popular Christian song, played often at Christmastime, asking questions about what exactly Mary knew (or didn’t know) concerning the newborn Jesus she was nursing? This song actually affords a rare opportunity for Catholics and other Christians to enter into serious theological reflection. It invites a faith-dive into Mariology, into Christology, Soteriology, Ecclesiology, and Theological Anthropology. If masticated,... Read more
Jews should be read Judeans in our Bibles and lectionary, and this correction could help us eventually bury the criminal absurdity that Jewish people killed Christ. The lights of Christmas and Hanukkah are dimmed by hatred and violence in Trumpland. Once more, another antisemitic attack in this country turns bloody. Sadly, hate crimes committed against Jews in the U.S. have been rising for years. We American Christians would sure like to believe that we are safely removed from the possibility... Read more
Fulfillment of biblical prophecies, such as Isaiah’s promised birth of Emmanuel by the “virgin,” isn’t what most Christians think. Fulfillment passages are littered about the first two chapters of “Matthew.” Fulfillment of what exactly? In this post we explore the “fulfillment passages” in the Matthean Infancy Narrative, oldest of all Christmas stories. Hopefully we can clear up some mistaken notions about Biblical prophecy, what fulfillment of prophecy actually means, and related issues. We have been exploring the Infancy Narratives of... Read more
Messy Inspirations
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