Posts

Published October 1, 2011

Why Isn’t the Gospel of Thomas in the Bible?

Summary: This article offers a basic introduction to the Gospel of Thomas, which was a document produced probably in the second century. It appears to reflect the values and perspectives of Christians who were committed to ancient “gnostic” ideas. The question of why this gospel was not included in the New Testament connects to larger questions about how early Christians understood Jesus and his significance. Various Christian groups remembered and described Jesus in various ways. The different perspectives among these groups describe different theologies, different understandings of how Jesus reveals God and God’s salvation to us.

Read the full article, and listen to an accompanying podcast, in the “Everything You Wanted to Know about the Bible but Were Afraid to Ask” section of EnterTheBible.

Bible commentary: general audience

canon gnosis gnostic gospel of thomas jesus

Published September 14, 2011

Justice Comes in the Evening (Matthew 20:1-16)

Summary: Jesus’ Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard tells us something about the scandalous character of God’s generosity. It also identifies the kinds of people most likely to attract God’s gracious attention. Those people are always with us, and their numbers seem to be getting larger in the current American cultural context, with its persistent unemployment rates and its contempt toward undocumented immigrants.

Read the full article, which is part of the ON Scripture–The Bible project, on The Huffington Post, Day1, and Patheos.

Bible commentary: general audience ON Scripture--The Bible

gospel of matthew jesus justice matthew 20:1-16 parable of the workers in the vineyard

Published August 25, 2011

Interview with Peter Wallace

Summary: In this video, Peter Wallace, host of Day1, interviews me about the Bible, preaching, and the creativity involved in bringing people into a meaningful engagement with scripture.

Watch this video at Day 1.

Videos on preaching

bible day 1 peter wallace preaching sermon

Published August 14, 2011

Commentary on Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32

Summary: In this biblical passage, which concludes the discussion of Romans 9-11, Paul declares that God’s gifts and calling are irrevocable. God therefore has certainly not rejected the Jewish people. Paul cannot finally explain why the Jewish people have, for the most part, not turned to follow Jesus Christ. Still, he leaves the matter up to God and is confident that God will show mercy to all.

I wrote this biblical commentary for those preparing to preach or teach on the passage. Read the commentary at Working Preacher.

Bible commentary: preachers & teachers

apostle paul judaism letter to the romans mercy paul romans 11:1-2a romans 11:29-32

Published August 7, 2011

Commentary on Romans 10:5-15

Summary: In this biblical passage, as Paul continues a discussion that spans Romans 9-11, he enters into an abstruse conversation with biblical texts to argue that God’s salvation is near and available to all through Jesus Christ.

I wrote this biblical commentary for those preparing to preach or teach on the passage. Read the commentary at Working Preacher.

Bible commentary: preachers & teachers

apostle paul jesus judaism letter to the romans paul romans 10:5-15

Published August 3, 2011

Faith within the Chaos (Matthew 14:22-33)

Summary: This piece reflects on faith and fear in the story of Peter asking Jesus to call him to walk on the stormy Sea of Galilee. How might faith like this exercise itself in the midst of America’s economic woes?

Read the full article, which is part of the ON Scripture–The Bible project, on The Huffington Post, Day1, and Patheos.

Bible commentary: general audience ON Scripture--The Bible

economy faith gospel of matthew matthew 14:22-33 peter walk on water

Published July 31, 2011

Commentary on Romans 9:1-5

Summary: In this biblical passage, Paul launches an extended discussion (spanning Romans 9-11) about what the message about Jesus means for Jewish people who do not receive it. The apostle expresses great commitment to his fellow Jews and emphasizes their longstanding identity as people blessed by God.

I wrote this biblical commentary for those preparing to preach or teach on the passage. Read the commentary at Working Preacher.

Bible commentary: preachers & teachers

apostle paul judaism letter to the romans Romans 9:1-5

Published July 8, 2011

The Spiritual Dimensions of Work and Unemployment

Summary: When unemployment statistics spike or even remain disconcertingly high for a prolonged period, it’s for many reasons a cause for alarm. What kinds of spiritual wounds can unemployment inflict? The Bible indicates that human work is a way in which we encounter and partner with God. Our various labors can connect us to God’s purposes. Christian communities need to tend to the spiritual losses of unemployment, along with the economic and psychological tolls it takes.

Read the full article on The Huffington Post.

Christianity and culture

bible genesis 2:15 genesis 3:17-19 jeremiah 29:7 joblessness martin seligman unemployment vocation

Published June 12, 2011

Pentecost: When Christians Dream

Summary: Pentecost, which falls on the fiftieth and final day of the Easter season, is the day when Christians celebrate the gift of God’s Holy Spirit. The story of Pentecost, as related in the second chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, tells of the Holy Spirit coming to fill and inspire Jesus’ followers. This Spirit makes the community of Jesus’ followers a community of prophets, people who dare to describe what God makes possible for the world.

Read the full article on The Huffington Post.

Bible commentary: general audience The Bible and Christian practices

acts 2:1-21 acts of the apostles church community holy spirit joel pentecost prophecy

Published June 12, 2011

Commentary on John 20:19-23

Summary: In this biblical passage, Jesus, having risen from the dead, breathes the Holy Spirit into his followers and commissions them. The lectionary assigns this passage for the Day of Pentecost.

I wrote this biblical commentary for those preparing to preach or teach on the passage. Read the commentary at Working Preacher.

Bible commentary: preachers & teachers workingpreacher.org commentary

bind gospel of john holy spirit john 20:19-23 pentecost resurrection sins