Jesus
« Previous EntriesI Wish I Were A Rich Man?
Thursday, October 6th, 2022I am always struck when I come to the end of the Good Samaritan parable in the gospel of Luke. The parable ends with the rich man begging Abraham to send Lazarus back from the dead to warn his brothers. Abraham ridicules the rich man. Abraham said “If they do not listen to Moses and […]
Can You Tell the Difference?
Thursday, August 4th, 2022Misdirection is a common technique used by con men. Con men create a distraction that looks threatening, and then they use it to steal from you. They could bump into you. They could even have accomplishes who start a fake argument. Con men appear often in the Gospels. They did not like Jesus’ interpretation of […]
Remember Your Constantine
Friday, July 8th, 2022The year 312 of the Common Era marked a decisive turning point in world history. A Roman general named Constantine wanted total control of the empire. Constantine waged war against his enemies to establish dominance. Since the time of Julius Caesar (100-44 BCE), Roman generals ruled by force instead of election. The 300 intervening years […]
The “Way of the Cross” Leads to Easter
Friday, April 15th, 2022Good Friday, the day Jesus hung on that old wooden cross, has been celebrated by Christians for centuries. It was the culmination of His mission on earth. The night before his execution he experienced the agony in the garden. According the the Evangelist Luke 22: 41-44, 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, […]
Old Question, Same Answer
Thursday, December 30th, 2021One of the first stories in the Bible recounts the relationship between Cain and his younger brother Abel. Cain famously killed Able because God praised Abel’s gifts. After the killing, God asked Cain where to find Abel. Cain angrily replied “Am I my brother’s keeper?” We never get a direct answer to that question. There […]
Away in A Manger
Thursday, December 16th, 2021The Gospel of Luke starts with the most recognizable image of Christmas: a babe, wrapped in bands of cloth, lying in a manger. The manger scene certainly is touching, but it is also powerful. It tells us everything we need to know about Christianity. The Christ child is weak and vulnerable. His mother gave birth […]
Don’t Bear False Witness
Thursday, October 14th, 2021Justice requires the truth. As Americans we require anyone testifying to do it under oath. Oath breakers face penalties for perjury. The truth is no less important in other aspects of life. Both Civil Law and the Bible made bearing false witness a crime. Civil law calls it liable. Psalm 6 calls bearing false witness […]
Merry Christmas
Thursday, December 24th, 2020We live in a world of artificial lights. Light is all around us. It can even be with us twenty four hours if we want it. Natural light, however, brings so much joy. Who among us is not mesmerized by the glow of a candle, a fire or a star? Darkness is not simply the […]
Faith, Reason, Justice
Thursday, September 10th, 2020The Gospel that I learned as a child centered on the Gold Rule. Jesus said, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.†The principle is found in cultures around the world. Immanuel Kant, coming at the end of the […]
Good Samaritan
Friday, May 29th, 2020The gospels are a rich source of wisdom. In simple parables, they offer role models for good behavior. They also highlight some bad behavior. Often these parables take an unexpected turn and contradict common sense. The Gospels turn our common beliefs on their heads. One of my favorite parables is the story of the Good […]
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