Mark 1

In Mark’s wilderness and in my city, life emerges in unexpected ways.

In Mark’s wilderness and in my city, life emerges in unexpected ways.

The four books open in very different settings. Together they offer a map for locating ourselves in the world.

I understand why Mark’s editors added to his ending. Still, I wish they hadn’t.

I am struck by how Christ’s desert experience relies on inner convictions resisting an external voice.

Writing primarily for post-evangelicals, ethicist David Gushee examines 40 biblical texts.

Writing primarily for post-evangelicals, ethicist David Gushee examines 40 biblical texts.

For now, anyway. After our discernment together, I consider this a success.

Not just Advent

Does Jesus hide from the wild beasts? Hurl rocks at them? Mark doesn’t say.

Paul knew something about being an obnoxious weirdo.

The gospels don’t depict John as much of an organization builder.

And why would anyone baptize the dead?

As if he were working on an assembly line, John dips and raises, dips and raises.

It is noisy out there.

His followers realized there was no quick exit from the discomfort of his words.

There is a clear distinction between being comfortable and receiving comfort.