Jesus’ Death and the Future of Violence: Mark 9:30-37

Last updated on: September 21, 2012 at 8:45 pm By Odyssey Networks

By Matthew L. Skinner If pondering Jesus’ crucifixion doesn’t make you uncomfortable, you probably aren’t doing it right. I’m not referring to the gore and humiliation, which makes crucifixion repulsive no matter who the victim is. Watch the Video: ON Scripture: Jesus Predicts His Death Matthew Skinner, assistant professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary, discusses the Biblical text Mark 9:30-37, featured in the ON Scripture The Bible article, “Jesus’ Death and the Future of Violence.” (more…) Read more

Sticks, Stones, and the Power of Words: James 3:1-12

Last updated on: September 13, 2012 at 2:25 pm By Odyssey Networks

By Rev. Dr. Eric D. Barreto Why do we repeat adages we know are false? Why do we deceive ourselves with seemingly soothing words that instead burn invisible scars upon us? Why do we persist in the deception that words cannot harm? Watch the Video:ON Scripture: Speech Can Unite or Divide The Rev. Dr. Eric D. Barreto, assistant professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary, discusses the Biblical text James 3:1-12, featured in the ON Scripture The Bible article, “Sticks,... Read more

Poverty, Wealth, and Equality? James 2:1-10, 11-13, 14-17

Last updated on: September 6, 2012 at 7:22 pm By Odyssey Networks

By Margaret Aymer Poor people. These are the two words underlying much of the political arguments coming across the airwaves right now. There is great discussion about “Medicaid,” “Medicare,” “The Affordable Care Act [aka Obamacare or Romneycare],” “Welfare,” “Big Government” and “Social Security. But two words rarely heard in the 2012 political campaign: poor people. Watch the Video: Faces of Poverty: A Single Father After suffering a layoff and searching for work for two years, a divorced 46-year-old father of... Read more

Lip Service – But Where Is the Heart?

Last updated on: September 5, 2012 at 8:28 pm By Odyssey Networks

By Dirk G. Lange Human beings want religion not God. Or, to put it slightly differently (and perhaps in a more nuanced manner!), they all too easily equate religion with a very particular, culturally determined, idea of God. They name their religion – their rites, their laws, their stories – divine or Bible-based. They find mystical origins for their laws turning those laws into unquestionable truths. Watch the Video: What Contaminates a Life? Efrain Agosto, a Professor at New York... Read more

The Politics of Betrayal: John 6:56-69

Last updated on: August 23, 2012 at 2:48 pm By Odyssey Networks

By Karoline Lewis Broken Promises Imagine being introduced for the first time, not by your name or what you have done, but in reference to what you will do. Such is the case for Judas in the closing section of chapter six in John’s Gospel, “For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him” (John 6:64 NRSV). Typically, we are recognized by our past, whether achievements... Read more

Who Will Be America’s Next Leader? I Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14

Last updated on: August 16, 2012 at 2:32 pm By Odyssey Networks

By Dr. Walter Brueggemann The old king, David, is dead. It is time to pick his successor as king. In retrospect it seems obvious that his son, Solomon, was his rightful heir. In the moment, however, the matter of succession to the throne is highly contested. Two sons of David, Solomon and Adonijah, are both aggressive candidates for the succession. In the end, Solomon prevails and becomes king. But not easily! He must engage in choreographed deception with the aid... Read more

Not Another Bread Passage … Please! John 6:35, 41-51

Last updated on: August 16, 2012 at 2:27 pm By Odyssey Networks

By Dr. Karyn L. Wiseman Sometimes when I read a biblical text, it makes almost perfect sense to me. Other times, the author’s intent seems fairly obvious so I get a good feeling about what I am reading. Watch the Video: ON Scripture: Jesus Is the Bread of Life (more…) Read more

Perilous Power: 2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a

Last updated on: August 2, 2012 at 4:03 pm By Odyssey Networks

By Rev. Dr. Eric D. Barreto Every Bible ought to have a warning on its cover. Watch the Video: ON Scripture: Nathan Rebukes David Eric Barreto, an assistant professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary, expands on the story of King David, Bathsheba, and a man called Nathan who rebukes the king. (more…) Read more

The Story of Patriarchy and HIV and AIDS: 2 Samuel 11:1-15

Last updated on: July 26, 2012 at 2:49 pm By Odyssey Networks

By Melissa Browning This past week, more than 20,000 people met in our nation’s capital for the 2012 International AIDS Conference. Activists, doctors, people living with HIV and AIDS, development workers, theologians, social scientists and all kinds of folks attended this event. Watch ON Scripture: King David and Bathsheba Commentator Robert Alter notes that David’s love stories take place amidst conflict and death. Bathsheba is not the only woman David married in the midst of pain or death. Similar stories... Read more

Compassion Fatigue: Mark 6:30-34 & 53-56

Last updated on: January 11, 2019 at 2:16 pm By Odyssey Networks

By Rev. Eric C. Shafer August 2005. Hurricane Katrina had struck New Orleans and help had not yet arrived for several days. The televised images are nearly seven years old, but they continue to be vivid in my mind. Thousands of people, mostly poor African Americans, were stranded outside of the Louisiana Superdome and the New Orleans Convention Center. They were screaming for help, for rescue, for food, for water. Even worse, untended dead bodies were laying there – one... Read more