Scripture
What we think we know about God
“Anyone who thinks he knows the orthodox consensus can always be shown to be wrong,” says David Bentley Hart.
August 27, Ordinary 21A (Matthew 16:13–20)
I find it comforting to realize that Jesus recognizes the incompleteness of Peter’s understanding.
Forgive and forget? (Genesis 45:1-15)
Forgiveness is hard, and it’s hard for Joseph’s brothers to trust it.
August 20, Ordinary 20A (Genesis 45:1–15; Psalm 133)
The challenges to unity are great. The reward of unity is tremendous.
If favor were fair (Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28)
Maybe Joseph’s brothers aren’t evil people but hurt people.
August 13, Ordinary 19A (Genesis 37:1–4, 12–28)
Is it possible to be completely and terribly wrong but not all bad?
August 6, Ordinary 18A (Matthew 14:13–21)
There are no ideal conditions for a miracle.
Discerning the body
Bodies get sick. What becomes of a church body when we enact unity at the table while ignoring our brokenness?
We still need books about biblical women’s liberation
Two new ones by Susan Hylen and Nijay Gupta offer correctives many churches have not yet internalized.
July 30, Ordinary 17A (Matthew 13:31–33, 44–52)
The kingdom of heaven inspires devotion, commitment, and downright unreasonableness.
Three musings on Psalm 139 (Psalm 139:1-12,23-24)
It is important to consider how others may hear these beloved words.
Luke Powery preaches through and beyond racism
The Duke Chapel dean writes as if the Holy Spirit makes all the difference for faithful preaching—and anti-racism.
Living by kinship, not consumption
When I’m tempted to click “Add to cart,” I hear creation groaning.
A parable about itself (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23)
The Parable of the Sower gives the preacher an opportunity to teach about the gift of parables.
Extravagant consumption
For Jesus, the inverse of scarcity isn’t abundance—it’s accumulation.
July 16, 15A (Genesis 25:19–34)
I haven’t always embraced the particularity of God.