Month: May 2019
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Questions for Reflection and Discussion – Mark 14 17-24 and Hebrews 8 6-12
We are studying Mark 14:17-24 and Hebrews 8:6-7 & 10-12 for Sunday, June 2. [Notes on Mark 14:17-24 are here; notes on Hebrews 8:6-12 are here.] Here are a few questions we might want to consider as we think about what these texts mean for us: Jesus arrives at the “large room upstairs” on the […]
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A Deeper Look at Galatians
Personally, I have loved the book of Galatians ever since I was sitting in a hotel room in California after some focus groups when I was trying to quit smoking the first time and ran across this in the Gideons’ Bible: For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit […]
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Study Notes – Hebrews 8 6-12
We are studying Mark 14:17-24 and Hebrews 8:6-7 & 10-12 for Sunday, June 2. Notes on Mark 14:17-24 are here. Here are my very brief notes on the Hebrews text, which is embedded in the carefully constructed presentation that is the book of Hebrews. BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT: The book of Hebrews is mysterious. God alone […]
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Study Notes – Mark 14 17-24
We are studying Mark 14:17-24 and Hebrews 8 for Sunday, June 2. Here are my very brief notes on the Mark text, which includes Jesus’ remarks to his twelve disciples at the last supper; notes for Hebrews 8:6-12 are here. BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT: The Gospel of Mark is thought to be the earliest of all […]
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Study Notes to Come
We are studying Mark 14:17-24 and Hebrews 8 for Sunday, June 2. [Right on the heels of our study of Romans 11. This will be a good reminder.] Study notes are coming. Life has simply delayed them a bit. With luck, later today. Without it, a bit later than that. Update 5.29.19: Study notes on […]
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Sixth Sunday in Easter
Today was about the flag. After months of discussion, in the congregation and Session and Worship Committee and back to Session, the decision about what to do about displaying the American and Christian flags that were donated by a member before we moved to the new (“new,” that is, 25-year-old) building from the church on […]
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Questions for Reflection and Discussion – Romans 12 1-8
We are studying Romans 12:1-8 for Sunday, May 26. These verses begin the section of Paul’s letter to the Romans that lays out Paul’s moral advice, in light of the theological vision he has described in the first part of the letter. [Study notes on the text are here.] Here are a few questions we […]
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How Greek is the Gospel?
How Greek is the Gospel? Presbyterians, and “the Reformed” generally, have “a tradition of an educated pastorate.” Pastors, we think, should be trained in the Biblical languages, and in exegesis, along with theology and pastoral care principles and theory. We call our pastors “Teaching Elders” for a reason. We think pastors should know their stuff. […]
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Study Notes – Romans 12 1-8
We are studying Romans 12:1-8 for Sunday, May 26. This is the opening portion of Paul’s conclusion to the letter to the Romans, the introduction to the moral instruction that follows from the theological presentation of the first part of the letter. [Study questions on the text have been added here.] Here are my notes […]
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Fifth Sunday of Easter
Some days at church are like this: The day is already good, even wonderful – and then it gets better. Some days at church are like this: I didn’t even know how much I needed to hear someone to say this, from the pulpit, even after all this time. Our class is always good, wonderful, […]
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Questions for Reflection and Discussion – Romans 11 11-24
We are studying Romans 11:11-24 for Sunday, May 19. The text is a portion of Paul’s argument about ultimate hope for the redemption of all Israel; in this passage, primarily, what this all means for the Gentiles in the Roman church – and by extension, presumably, later Gentiles as well. [Study notes on this text […]
Matters of Interpretation 