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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Introduction
Read MORE: IntroductionLet’s do a series on what Genesis has to say about our present situation. We tend to think of the Bible as beginning with the Genesis creation and ending with Revelation’s last days. Then we remember it is really a…
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Lesson 1: Creation, Not Accident (Genesis 1 and 2)
Read MORE: Lesson 1: Creation, Not Accident (Genesis 1 and 2)An honest reading of the creation stories quickly reveals the authors are not interested in particulars. Once you acknowledge that there are two very different, even contrasting accounts right next to each other, you recognize the editors are not trying…
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Lesson 2: Humanity’s Task (Genesis 1:16-31 and especially 2: 15-17)
Read MORE: Lesson 2: Humanity’s Task (Genesis 1:16-31 and especially 2: 15-17)Although the ancient stories felt all parts of creation were good and worked together according to God’s design, they focused especially on the relationship between the divine and the human. In the second creation story, the human was to till…
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Lesson 3: Humanity’s Failure
Read MORE: Lesson 3: Humanity’s FailureAfter examining the goodness of creation and humanity’s task in caring for it, Genesis spends several chapters on our failure. Again it is clear we are not dealing with historical events so much as the meaning of ancient stories that…
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Lesson 4: Consequences of Humanity’s Failure
Read MORE: Lesson 4: Consequences of Humanity’s FailureGenesis maintains when we are not in a proper relationship with God, all other relationships are corrupted. That pertains to humans as well as all other parts of the creation. The narrative labels violence as the big sin. Humans were…
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Lesson 5: Evil Pervades (Genesis 6:1-8:19)
Read MORE: Lesson 5: Evil Pervades (Genesis 6:1-8:19)It seems strange that Noah and the Ark ( Genesis 8:20-9:28) has become a beloved children’s Bible story. You have to question what we are teaching our young people. Sadly, it is usually presented as a precaution about being good…
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Lesson 6: God’s Promise to Abraham (Genesis 12-22)
Read MORE: Lesson 6: God’s Promise to Abraham (Genesis 12-22)Chapters 1- 11 could be regarded as the introduction to Genesis. The plot begins with Abraham in chapter 12. In fact, if you looked at the story that runs through the Bible, these chapters could serve as the setting for…
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Lesson 7: The Near Sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22)
Read MORE: Lesson 7: The Near Sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22)A straight reading of the chapter has God testing Abraham by seeing if he will kill his beloved son. Scholars differ widely on what to make of it. Some think it indicates the great demands God makes on us. Some…
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Lesson 8: The Patriarchs (Genesis 24-27)
Read MORE: Lesson 8: The Patriarchs (Genesis 24-27)God is often identified as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Bible. Abraham and Jacob are especially associated with the beginnings of the Hebrew people. Isaac almost serves as a link between the two. Abraham is presented…
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Lesson 9: Jacob (Genesis 28-33)
Read MORE: Lesson 9: Jacob (Genesis 28-33)As I said last week, Jacob was a scoundrel and because of that, he spends a great deal of the biblical accounts running away from the trouble he has created. I wonder why people don’t t ponder what his story…
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.