We know how this ends, right? After an auspicious beginning, Jesus travels to Jerusalem, stirs up trouble, gets arrested, and is crucified. And for those of us who grew up in the church, we probably know the meaning of this as well. Allowing some variation in the way it is formulated, the bottom line is that Jesus’ death is our …
Mark: The Ministry of Mystery
(I somehow forgot to post this last week, so I’m just catching up. Sorry. – Scott) Last week, we began at the beginning. The Gospel of Mark begins with an enigma, proclaiming to readers “the beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, Son of God,” a story that they are presumed to already know. To us, much of it …
Mark: The Ministry of Mystery (Program and Sermon)
Program Sermon Outline (loosely followed) I. Who is Jesus? a. Son of God Used in opening and not again until the crucifixion. b. Son of Man Jesus’ preferred way of referring to himself in Mark. “Son of man” initially just means “human” in the Hebrew Bible, but becomes the title of an eschatological judge in Daniel. This develops into the …
Mark: The Beginning (Program and Sermon Outline
Program Sermon Outline (loosely followed) I. Background a. Author 1. Traditionally Mark, associated with Peter 2. Unknown b. Occasion 1. Fall of Temple 2. Sack of Jerusalem 3. Resolving relationship to two communities a) Jews (1) Rejection by priests and scribes (2) New temple b) Rome c. Community 1. Greek speaking 2. Gentile 3. Persecuted d. Style 1. Crude 2. …
Mark: The Beginning
For churches that follow the lectionary, this is the year of Mark. The lectionary years are designated A, B, and C, which correspond to following the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, respectively. So this is Year B, the year to read Mark. The purpose of the lectionary is to give people a complete view of the Bible every three …
All Saints and All Souls
Sometimes in Texas it is hard to know when autumn begins. Even though stores are pulling out merchandise for Halloween and Thanksgiving and even Christmas, the landscape is telling a different story. But soon the leaves will turn from green to red to brown and then the trees will enter their tombs for a few months. Every year, nature speaks …
Bread for the World Sunday (Program and Homily)
Program Homily If it’s alright with you, I’m going to preach a little today. There’s a lot on the program today, so I just wanted to share some things I have on my mind, things that came up while working on this service. I’d also like, instead of having the immediate feedback of a conversation, to have folks go home …
Empty Bellies, Open Hearts
This Sunday, we celebrate Bread for the World Sunday. According to their website, “Bread for the World is a collective Christian voice urging our nation’s decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad.” They lobby politicians to do the right thing, to live into the faith that the overwhelming majority claim as their own. To do so, they leverage …
How to Read the Bible (Program and Sermon)
Program Sermon Outline (loosely followed) I. Introduction a. Review 1. Literal 2. Allegorical 3. Moral 4. Anagogical b. Read out loud 1. Jonah 2. God 3. Captain 4. Sailors 5. Narrator 6. Newsreader for the King of Ninevah II. Literal a. What does it say? b. What doesn’t it say? c. What voices are left out? d. Who wins and …
Biblical Authority as Subjective Encounter
For my family and sexuality in the Bible class, I was asked to reflect on how I viewed biblical authority. In the spirit of laying my cards on the table and to cap the How to Read the Bible series, I thought I might post it. Sorry it’s so long. — Scott ——————————————- Certainly, my current understanding of the authority …