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Readings Judges 13:1-15 Acts 5:27-42 John 3:22-36 Meditation Gamaliel finds his way into the biblical story at two places. Here in Acts giving advice to the Sanhedrin and again in a mention as the teacher of Saul of Tarsus later known as Paul. His appearance also seems to be the 2nd time that God puts . . . → Read More: Tuesday – Pentecost 13 Today was our first day of VBS We have it for the week, so I apologize to readers in advance. These reflections will most likely be later in the day unless I get myself up earlier. If you are looking for the day’s readings alone, please look at the sidebar. The link lectionary – 2yr . . . → Read More: Monday – Pentecost 13 Text: Matt 14:22-33 Exegetical Point: Faith’s focus is Christ who enables that faith to do wonders and to worship Focus Statement: Christ’s action and presence alone guides and saves the church Function Statement: That my hearers would put their focus on Christ and his will The image is linked to the text of the . . . → Read More: Sermon – Aug 10th – Pentecost 13 – Jesus Walks on Water This link takes you to a Wall Street Journal article. The article brushes the surface of the intersection of Christianity and a market economy in China. The Chinese, a Communist Party (!) official Mr. Zhao, have taken a liking to Christian ethics. Maybe for the wrong reasons, along the lines of the prosperity Gospel, become . . . → Read More: WSJ – Christianity, Economic growth and China Readings Judges 9:1-21 Acts 4:13-31 John 2:1-12 Meditation Scholars have a long tradition of railing against the Trinity as a false construct. And anytime something like a Trinitarian address shows up in early documents, they take that as on-the-face evidence that passage was added late. In the Acts passage today we have a prayer. A . . . → Read More: Friday – Pentecost 12 Readings Judges 8:22-35 Acts 4:1-12 John 1:43-51 Meditation The scandal of particularity. That is a $2 theological phrase for ‘it doesn’t seem right that God chose a specific people (i.e. Israel) or that he chose only one path (i.e. Jesus).’ That thinking is a scandal to the way men think. There are plenty of seemingly . . . → Read More: Thursday – Pentecost 12 Readings Judges 7:19 – 8:12 Acts 3:12-26 John 1:29-42 Meditation I can’t completely avoid the story of Gideon for one reason, or should I say 300. The recent movie was about the 300 Spartans at Thermopylae. That event took place in 480 BC. The time period of the Judges is centered around 1200 BC (depending . . . → Read More: Wednesday – Pentecost 12 Readings Judges 7:1-18 Acts 3:1-11 John 1:19-28 Meditation In the modern world or maybe I should say scientific or materialist world we get real touchy about miracles. There are three typical responses: first we deny them right away (Things were misdiagnosed, or we didn’t understand the problem in the first place), second we try and . . . → Read More: Tuesday – Pentecost 12 Readings Judges 6:25-40 Acts 2:37-47 John 1:1-18 Meditation In the Sermon from yesterday I referenced the Smalcald Articles on the Gospel – the superabundant means of God’s grace: 1) the spoken word – preached, 2) Baptism, 3) Lord’s Supper, 4) Absolution and 5) mutual consolation of Christians. The passage from Acts today shows the biblical . . . → Read More: Monday – Pentecost 12 Mark D. Roberts is a very smart and faithful Presbyterian minister. By the accident of where I went to undergrad (Grove City College) and a family member who is Presbyterian minister, I check up now and then on what is happening within the Presbyterian Church. Mark Roberts has been commenting upon the PC-USA’s struggles with . . . → Read More: Happenings within the Una Sancta |
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