I have not really reckoned seriously with the parable of the wineskins (Matt 9:14–17; Mark 2:18–22; Luke 5:33–39), and I probably need to. Anyone who is bemused as I am with the various ways in which the labels “conservative” and “progressive” are adopted as self-identifiers and hurled as other-blamers in American politics and religion probablyContinue reading ““The old is nice”: Jesus meets the reflexive conservatives”
Tag Archives: Jesus
When Jesus went on his way, where did he go? (Luke 4:31–37)
Jesus will never be our homey who assures us that we are OK until we first hear him as the stranger who tells us that we are not OK, until we accept his exotic words as authoritative, as so authoritative and powerful that they cast out the demons that indwell us (verses 33–37), until we have been unmade and remade by his word.
Jesus meets the Nazareth-firsters (Luke 4:14–30)
What happens when Jesus fails to affirm our “us first!” expectations? Things get ugly fast.
Psalm 40 and the normal Christian life
What if we try reading Psalm 40 as a boilerplate description of the life of the follower of the Lord?
How not to evangelize (usually)
Evangelism is one of the most awkward topics. Christians, non-Christians, and semi-Christians all have widely varying views. My own history with the word is complicated, but in my view the word and the practice are essential elements of Christian life. I don’t know how it could be possible to be a Christian and not beContinue reading “How not to evangelize (usually)”
Verba Sparsa 