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
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Lesson 11: The Cross as Foolishness (1 Corinthians 1-4)
Read MORE: Lesson 11: The Cross as Foolishness (1 Corinthians 1-4)Before offering counsel about the chaotic situation in their church, Paul reminds the Corinthians that Christianity looks at things much differently than the rest of their world. “The message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but…
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Lesson 10: How to Read Paul’s Letters Today
Read MORE: Lesson 10: How to Read Paul’s Letters TodayRather than plowing directly into I Corinthians, let me speak to the discussion started in recent lessons. As Sarah assured me from the very beginning, the comments have become very significant. I think this is especially important for understanding Paul’s…
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Lesson 9: Faith Active in Love (Galatians 5-6)
Read MORE: Lesson 9: Faith Active in Love (Galatians 5-6)It is important to keep reminding ourselves not to expect a systematic theology from Paul. He just does not offer that kind of consistency. Instead we find him applying his gospel rather flexibly to the situation of his churches. In…
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Lesson 8: Justification by Faith in Galatians
Read MORE: Lesson 8: Justification by Faith in GalatiansIf scholars are right, Galatians is the second earliest book in the New Testament. It proclaims the heart of Paul’s message, justification by faith. It pretty evident Paul never wrote thinking his letter would become part of our Bible. His…
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Lesson 7: What’s Ahead? (Thessalonians)
Read MORE: Lesson 7: What’s Ahead? (Thessalonians)Thessalonians pictures the church being persecuted for their belief that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ who shall rule the earth for God. As they wait for him, they live as much as possible in his Spirit, living quietly and…
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Lesson 6: Paul’s Letters: The Real Paul vs. Acts
Read MORE: Lesson 6: Paul’s Letters: The Real Paul vs. ActsGet ready! Luke-Acts acted like a good public relations person who domesticated Paul. He portrayed him as a courageous missionary who suffered constantly in order to move the Church from a small Jewish sect to a large catholic church. We…
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Lesson 5: Paul Arrives in Rome
Read MORE: Lesson 5: Paul Arrives in RomePaul makes it to Rome, the end of the road. The writer of Acts appears to be making a point. This last trip under arrest is the longest section of his book, eight chapters, a fourth of the entire work.…
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Lesson 4: The Jerusalem Council Dispute (Acts 15)
Read MORE: Lesson 4: The Jerusalem Council Dispute (Acts 15)Then certain individuals came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.’ And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul…
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Lesson 3: On the Road to Damascus
Read MORE: Lesson 3: On the Road to DamascusMeanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men…
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Lesson 2: From Jerusalem to Rome
Read MORE: Lesson 2: From Jerusalem to RomeSo far we are just setting the stage for Paul, reminding ourselves what the church was like before him. This gives us some time to register and make some initial comments as we adjust to the technology of an online…
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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!