Scripture
Can Jesus lose an argument? (Mark 7:24-37)
In Mark 7, a Syrophoenician woman is apparently able to win one with him.
September 8, Ordinary 23B (Proverbs 22:1–2, 8–9, 22–23)
There is no reward in heaven for those who work to accumulate wealth rather than care for people.
Faith, in public and in private (James 1:17-27)
James is looking at the big picture.
September 1, Ordinary 22B (Mark 7:1–8, 14–15, 21–23)
Jesus warns that the real danger lies within our minds and hearts.
Choosing to abide (John 6:56-69)
This last reading from the bread of life discourse places Jesus’ disciples at a crossroads.
Debating the nature of Jesus
A thoughtful book that includes a lively conversation between New Testament scholars Bart Ehrman and Michael Bird
August 25, Ordinary 21B (Ephesians 6:10–20)
Gird yourself with the T-shirt of righteousness, the backpack of faith, the hoodie of salvation.
Wonder Bread vs. the bread of life (John 6:51-58)
Wonder Bread seems a good analogy for much of popular Christianity.
The roots of Hebrew Roots
A small but growing movement of Christians believes fervently that Torah observance is for everyone.
August 18, Ordinary 20B (John 6:51–58)
The Greek word sarx could well be translated as “hamburger” rather than “flesh.”
Righteous anger (Ephesians 4:25-5:2)
What does it look like to be angry without sinning?
The Christian lady preacher and the queer Jewish poet
If I could give every new pastor a gift in their first year of preaching, I’d give them a friend like Jessica Jacobs.
August 11, Ordinary 19B, (John 6:35, 41–51)
We need to wrestle with the meaning of Jesus’ flesh as bread, bread we are to consume.
Who we are and what we do (Ephesians 4:1-16)
The growth and the flourishing of the body of Christ is measured by its love.
Virtuous friendship
Prudence and constancy might not sound like much fun, but they create the load-bearing relationships communities need to flourish.
August 4, Ordinary 18B (2 Samuel 11:26—12:13a; Psalm 51:1–12)
There is no one who does not need God’s mercy and no one who may not have it.
Delighting in the story (John 6:1-21)
This week’s Gospel reading is profoundly delightful.
July 28, Ordinary 17B (2 Samuel 11:1–15)
It’s almost as if power and prestige somehow facilitate abusive patterns and protect perpetrators!
Doing things for God? (2 Samuel 7:1-14a)
David and Nathan both get it wrong, and so do we.
Deep insights for Christians—from Leviticus
Gary Anderson thinks that the answer to what ails contemporary Christian theology lies tucked away in the Torah’s tabernacle narrative.