The New Creation: John 20

The Gospel of John is a literary masterpiece. Even the most casual reader of the New Testament recognizes how different John’s Gospel is from the three Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). The Gospel of John is a theological interpretation of the Christ event. There are many metaphors and symbols… Continue reading

John 20:19-29; John 1:1-4—Touching the Word

I have always had sympathy for Thomas, perhaps because there is a doubting, skeptical side to me. There are those who confuse faith with gullibility. We Thomases of this world will not likely make that error. We err on the other side. We want to see, know, and feel the… Continue reading

The Skies Darkened and the Earth Shook: A Lesson for Good Friday

All three of the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) tell us that at Jesus’ death, “darkness came over the whole earth.” Only Matthew writes that in addition to the darkness, there was an earthquake which split rocks and shook the earth. I remember years ago reading about biblical literalists… Continue reading

Maundy Thursday: Love and Forgiveness

Maundy Thursday is observed in many churches in the form of a modified Passover meal which includes the Lord’s Supper/Communion. The word “Maundy” comes from the Latin term mandatum which means “commandment.” (Our word “mandate” is based on this Latin word.) Maundy refers to the “new commandment” which Jesus gave… Continue reading

When Religion Gets Sick

Years ago psychology of religion professor Wayne Oates wrote a book entitled When Religion Gets Sick. Oates pointed out that religion can be good or bad, healthy or sick, liberating or oppressive, intelligent or insane. This past week we have seen several examples of bad, sick, oppressive, and insane religion…. Continue reading

Mark 15:40-47: Where are the Heroes?

[Today is Palm Sunday. This is also Passion Sunday–a time for the church to consider the Gospel accounts of the death of Jesus. From the hoopla of Palm Sunday to the pomp of Easter, it is possible for Christians to go from one celebration to another without ever confronting the… Continue reading

The Crucified God: The Death of Jesus

Whatever else we may say about our Christian faith, I think most of us would agree that at the very least, Jesus reveals the nature of God. When we see Jesus, we see and understand what God is like, who God is, and how God feels toward us. That’s what… Continue reading

Who’s That Knocking at the Door? 1 John 4:16-19

The popular psychologist Jesse Lair wrote a book years ago entitled I Ain’t Well, But I Sure Am Better.  In many ways, these words could be the testimony of my life.  I’ve got a long way to go, but I’ve come a long way, too. Just ask my wife. To… Continue reading

The Death of Jesus: The Scapegoat for Everyone (Mark 15:21-39)

(Based on the writings of Debbie Blue and Rene Girard) The concept of scapegoat goes back to Leviticus 16 in the Hebrew Scriptures. Originally it referred to the goat upon which Aaron, the priest and brother of Moses, symbolically placed the sins of the people of Israel on the Day… Continue reading