Scripture
December 29, Christmas 1A (Matthew 2:13–23)
Matthew connects Jesus to the overarching narrative of the Jewish people—as well as to the smaller story of Matthew’s immediate community.
December 24 and 25, Nativity (Isaiah 9:2–7; Luke 2:1–20)
Preachers who value their pulpit would be wise to avoid Isaiah 9 this Christmas Eve.
When hope gives up on magical results
Since my son’s accident, everything I understand about hope has changed.
December 22, Advent 4A (Matthew 1:18–25; Isaiah 7:10–16; Romans 1:1–7)
In Luke, Mary says that she’s a virgin. Do I believe her?
December 15, Advent 3A (Matthew 11:2–11; Psalm 146:5–10; James 5:7–10)
In his response to John, Jesus speaks of hope in the present tense.
December 8, Advent 2A (Matthew 3:1–12)
In the stitched-together story of Advent, we wrestle with each other’s certainties.
What the Bible actually says about abortion, slavery, and other controversial topics
Should scripture inform our ethics? How, and which parts?
December 1, Advent 1A (Matthew 24:36–44; Romans 13:11–14)
It’s troubling to imagine the Son of man arriving with criminal intent.
November 24, Reign of Christ C (Jeremiah 23:1-6; Luke 23:33-43)
The unfaithful shepherd sniffs out and stirs up fear, fragmenting communities.
Who is justified? (Luke 18:9–14)
This Reformation Day, I'm preaching the Gospel text from the lectionary.
November 17, Ordinary 33C (Luke 21:5-19)
Jesus’ hearers are well-acquainted with calamity and crisis.
Reading the creation story in a dying world
The poetry of Genesis 1 invites us into a sort of palliative care for the earth.
November 10, Ordinary 32C (Luke 20:27–38)
Resurrection is where God is—across generations, across circumstances.
November 1, All Saints Day (Luke 6:20–31)
Jesus mourns a human existence unconcerned with the needs of the whole.
Candida Moss asks what bodily resurrection means
How early Christians thought about bodies and how we do
October 27, Ordinary 30C (Luke 18:9-14)
Jesus' characters aren't nuanced; they're all elbows and ankles.