Fritz a wonderful lesson – and esp. reading has a flow I found encompassing. If only …….. yes we can…
Weekly lessons in theology and public life • Since 2011
-
Lesson 3: Youth Groups
Read MORE: Lesson 3: Youth GroupsIf recent refusals of denominations to finance their seminaries are self- defeating, the tendency of many to neglect youth work is just as silly. It is certainly a factor in the lack of young people at our worship services. I…
-
Lesson 2: Ecumenical Seminaries
Read MORE: Lesson 2: Ecumenical SeminariesSeveral decades ago some writers observed progressives in all denominations are more comfortable with progressives in all other denominations than they are with conservatives in their own. Chances are this situation foreshadows what lies ahead for the American Church. It…
-
Lesson 1: Future Organization
Read MORE: Lesson 1: Future OrganizationA Sunday School class in one of my sons-in-laws’ congregations was discussing the relationship of the Roman Catholics and Lutherans. A question arose why there was not more unity after 40 years of theological discussions that concluded agreement on just…
-
Lesson 19: What a Johannine Church Looks Like
Read MORE: Lesson 19: What a Johannine Church Looks LikeWe always hear we need authority in order to keep unity in the Church. Those making the claim usually mean they have the proper theology to which everyone else must conform. However, this kind of authority has done little to…
-
Lesson 18: Reading the First Letter of John
Read MORE: Lesson 18: Reading the First Letter of JohnA good way to review the Gospel of John is to take ten minutes for a read of the First Letter of John. It makes very clear what the evangelist is trying to say. It is clear that he is…
-
Lesson 17: Jesus Appears by the Sea (John 21)
Read MORE: Lesson 17: Jesus Appears by the Sea (John 21)Matthew and Mark report that the message at the empty tomb sends the disciples back to Galilee where Jesus will meet them. Luke’s version tells them to remain in Jerusalem. At first, John seems to support Luke, seemingly ending his…
-
Lesson 16: Ressurection I
Read MORE: Lesson 16: Ressurection IAny casual reader should be able easily to see the extensive differences between the four gospels’ reports about the empty tomb on Easter, even though we hardly ever hear preachers address them. They disagree about both who was there and…
-
Lesson 15: The Crucifixion in John’s Gospel
Read MORE: Lesson 15: The Crucifixion in John’s GospelJohn’s take on the Cross presents a demanding challenge for us all. Mark and Matthew have everyone mock Jesus from beginning to end. Jesus refuses the wine with myrrh designed to lessen his pain. Jesus cries only one thing, “My…
-
Lesson 14: I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14-19)
Read MORE: Lesson 14: I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14-19)John’s Passion primarily involves two long conversations, one at the Last the Supper (14-18) and the second in Pilate’s chambers (18:28-19:16). Together these make up 6 of his 21 chapters. Obviously, they are important. The first begins with Jesus’ proclaiming,…
-
Lesson 13: From Lazarus to the Last Supper (John 11-13)
Read MORE: Lesson 13: From Lazarus to the Last Supper (John 11-13)It’s easy to see John is talking about meaning rather than events. He moves from the raising of Lazarus to Palm Sunday to Holy Thursday skipping all the events recorded by the other gospels. Then he spends almost a fifth…
Recent Comments
So forgiveness pre-requires understanding the mistakes of the past? here hear re this opposing this me-first, America-first, white-first, male-first approach>…
An extremely timely topic. Thanks, Fritz!