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>…
Weekly lessons in theology and public life • Since 2011
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Lesson 1: On the Road with Paul
Read MORE: Lesson 1: On the Road with PaulI remember it well. It was an embarrassing moment at a social event in the first month of my ministry. A beautiful woman confronted me with, “We would be far better off if there had never been a Paul.” No…
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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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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 4: A Bump in the Road
Read MORE: Lesson 4: A Bump in the RoadThen 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 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 6: Letters Home
Read MORE: Lesson 6: Letters HomeGet 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 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 8: Faith: Trusting the Map (Galatians)
Read MORE: Lesson 8: Faith: Trusting the Map (Galatians)If 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 9: Faith Active in Love: A Busy Highway (Galatians 5, 6)
Read MORE: Lesson 9: Faith Active in Love: A Busy Highway (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 10: Many Roads Get You There
Read MORE: Lesson 10: Many Roads Get You ThereRather 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…
Recent Comments
An extremely timely topic. Thanks, Fritz!
yes we need to forgive our leaders yet make sure they do the right thing – which they aren’t.