The Jesus' Parables As I read and re-read the four biblical gospels, I became acutely aware of just how often Jesus spoke in parables. About one third of his teaching took the form of a parable. While the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son are the two most well known parables, there are actually between thirty and forty parables in the gospels. (The exact number not agreed upon since similar material is used by different gospel writers and because there is no universally Read More …
Who is Jesus? – The Jesus Priorities (#0074)
The Jesus Priorities: 8 Essential Habits While my own reading of the gospels began to help form and reform some of my views of who Jesus is, it was my encounter with a more comprehensive study that helped me deepen and broaden my thinking. Christopher Maricle's The Jesus Priorities: 8 Essential Habits (2007) summarizes his study of the words and actions of Jesus in the gospels in relation to the question: "What did Jesus say and do during his public ministry that would be instructive Read More …
Who is Jesus? – The Jesus Creed (#0073)
As someone who has been involved in churches near both ends of the creedal continuum, I was intrigued to read Scot McKnight's The Jesus Creed: Loving God, Loving Others. I approached this book as someone who had served congregations that held the creeds in high esteem and congregations that were non-creedal in practice preferring instead to live by the phrase "no creed but Christ." I am more interested in Christian unity than in finding ways to separate and Read More …
Who is Jesus? (#0072)
Who is Jesus? For the last few years, I have been studying the life and ministry of Jesus in an attempt to more fully answer the question: “Who is Jesus?” My approach has been centered in the text of the four biblical gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. My journey began when I realized that I was, at times, giving answers with great certitude even when such responses were somewhat speculative or lacked adequate gospel foundation. In addition to reading the biblical Read More …
Review of A Multitude of Blessings (#0071)
Campbell, Cynthia M. A Multitude of Blessings: A Christian Approach to Religious Diversity. Westminster John Knox Press, 2007. ISBN:9780664229566. Meet the Author Cynthia Campbell is the President of McCormick Theological Seminary, where she also serves as Cyrus McCormick Professor of Church and Ministry. An ordained Presbyterian pastor, she served many years in pastoral ministry and was among the first women called as Head of Staff at a large Read More …
Review of Changing the Conversation (#0070)
Robinson, Anthony B. Changing the Conversation: A Third Way for Congregations. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2008. ISBN: 9780802807595. Meet the Author Anthony Robinson is an ordained United Church of Christ pastor who currently serves as President of Congregational Leadership Northwest. He travels throughout North America as a speaker, teacher, preacher, consultant and coach serving congregations and their leaders. Robinson has taught at several schools Read More …
Review of Life Together in the Way of Jesus (#0069)
Stiver, Dan R. Life Together in the Way of Jesus Christ: An Introduction to Christian Theology. Baylor University Press, 2009. ISBN: 9781602580619. Meet the Author Dan R. Stiver has been Professor of Theology at Logsdon Seminary at Hardin-Simmons University since 1998. Previously, he taught Christian philosophy at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. His books include The Philosophy of Religious Language: Sign, Symbol and Story; Theology after Read More …
Review of Mudhouse Sabbath (#0068)
Winner, Lauren F. Mudhouse Sabbath: An Invitation to a Life of Spiritual Discipline. Paraclete Press, 2003. ISBN: 978-1-55725-532-7. Meet the Author Lauren F. Winner is Assistant Professor of Christian Spirituality and Duke Divinity School. She is the former book editor for Beliefnet and the author of three books: Girl Meets God, Mudhouse Sabbath, and Real Sex: The Naked Truth about Chastity. She has appeared on PBS's Religion & Ethics Read More …
Dust to Dust (#0067)
About six weeks into a new year is long enough for life to become routine. It is also time to pause and to really hear the words of Genesis 3:19b "you are dust, and to dust you shall return" (NRSV) or "you started out as dirt, you'll end up dirt" (The Message). So What? Whether or not you attended an Ash Wednesday service or received ashes, allow the words of Scripture to call you to recognition of the frailty of human life, especially your own. As you recognize your sinfulness, Read More …
The Future Church – Top 10 Changes (#0066)
Looking into the Future: The Top 10 Changes for the American Church Over the last few months I have posted about each of the Top 10 Changes I view as important for the American Church over the next several years. It is my hope that this list will challenge individual disciples, leadership teams, and congregations to think proactively, prayerfully, and strategically about not only what it means to be the church today, but also what changes are needed to be effective in the Read More …