I wrote this series explicitly to examine biblical stories from the perspective of the American political situation. I wanted to test my perception that the Trump administration creates big problems for those who accept Christian teachings. Lutherans are reluctant to speak against the political order because our founder taught a doctrine of two kingdoms. Supposedly, […]
The biblical story of King Solomon leaves readers with many questions. It exalts him as the epitome of wisdom, but you have to ask why, if he was so wise, did his policies lead to the revolt of ten tribes and the breakup of the united kingdom. It also praises him for building the first […]
This fable-like tale (Numbers 22-24) makes a number of points with great humor. Balak, the King of Moab, wants to stop the invasion of the Israelites. When it is apparent his army is outnumbered, he tries to employ Balaam, a freelance prophet famous for destroying people by simply cursing them. Balaam initially refuses, because he […]
The story of Mary Magdalene seeps into non-biblical actions and writings. She is given a significant feast day in the church calendar, Mary Magdalene, Apostle. This is based on the high honor of being the first to receive a resurrection appearance in which she is instructed to tell Jesus’ brothers that he is risen (John […]
Friends, here is another sermon aligned to the series. Chances are, most of you have never heard of Philemon. One reason undoubtedly is that it is a very short letter, only 25 verses tucked between Titus and Hebrews at the back of the New Testament. Philemon, the leader of a house church, has asked Paul, […]
King Josiah might be the most underrated person in the Old Testament. Only he and Hezekiah are described as righteous kings after David. Yet hardly anyone has ever heard about him. His claim to fame is leading a MIGA (Make Israel Great Again) program in the seventh century BC. I thought it might be interesting […]
Although we usually think of conservative Evangelicals and Roman Catholics as supporting Donald Trump, most of the Christians he counsels are Pentecostals. They are the ones we see gathered around to lay hands on him as God’s chosen. Most Christian Nationalists also exhibit Pentecostal features. Prophets in the New Testament and modern Pentecostal churches receive […]
I pulled up this 12-year-old devotion to help write about Phillip. Thinking I could not do any better, I just decided to use it. Besides that, because it predates the Trump reign, it reminds us that our problem has to do with more than one human. Acts 8: 26 The eunuch asked Philip, ‘About whom, […]
I imagine most of us know that the church used Paul’s letters to develop a theology around Jesus’ life and teachings. Although those letters address specific concerns in particular churches, they do assume a rather coherent perspective. Most of the people in my parish appreciated Paul. However, some berated him over two matters. The first […]
We all know Peter as the outspoken fisherman who is the first to recognize Jesus as the Christ. Although he was a leader among the apostles, he denied knowing Jesus after his arrest. Then, in a famous resurrection appearance, he was forgiven and became the spokesman for believers at Pentecost. Almost overlooked is his opening […]
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