Matthew’s Christmas story continues to show the scandals and signs surrounding Jesus’s birth. Foreigners are the first worshipers. Herod seeks to kill Jesus and in the process fulfills Old Testament prophecy. In the midst of it all is Emmanuel, God with us, Jews and Gentiles alike.
Scandals and Signs: Matthew 2 Read More »
The Gospel of Matthew gives us a Christmas story of “scandals and signs” that stretches through the Christmas season to Epiphany.
Scandals and Signs: Matthew 1 Read More »
In John 12:20ff, we have a curious story about “some Greeks” who approach one of Jesus’s native Galilean disciples with a request: “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” The text doesn’t tell us whether Jesus said “yes” or “no.” Instead, 23 Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be
Judgment: Glory or Grieving? Read More »
The death of a church leader and the celebration of a significant church milestone is the occasion for reflecting on divisions in the church.
Death and Grieving: The Church Read More »
Reflections upon the death of Ervin Stutzman and his connection with H. Raymond Charles.
Death and Grieving: Background Read More »
Luke 24:36–53 Each year, on a Thursday, 40 days after Resurrection Sunday (Easter), portions of the Christian Church celebrate a holiday about which other parts of the church are fairly ignorant. That holiday is Ascension Day. The Biblical basis for its celebration comes primarily from the Gospel of Luke and from Acts, both attributed to
Rockets, Superheroes, and the Power of Suffering Love Read More »
January 20, 2025 is a presidential inauguration. January 21, 2025, is a different celebration–the 500th anniversary of the inauguration of Anabaptism.
Where are you from? The answer depends on your perspective. The Biblical perspective is that “The Earth is the Lord’s” and we are aliens and tenants. Because we are not the ultimate owners, God requires the native-born residents to “Love the alien as yourselves.” Ultimately, we are citizens of the Kingdom of God.
Where are you from? Read More »
Death is real. So is resurrection. We can experience resurrection even before physical death.
Encountering Jesus on the Way Read More »
