Paul's arrival in Jerusalem creates an uproar as Torah-observant Jewish Christians believe a rumor that he has been teaching Diaspora Jews to ignore the Mosaic Law and has taken a Gentile into the Temple! As the crowd prepares to put Paul to death, the leader of the Roman arrives on the scene.
Paul's arrival in Jerusalem creates an uproar as Torah-observant Jewish Christians believe a rumor that he has been teaching Diaspora Jews to ignore the Mosaic Law and has taken a Gentile into the Temple! As the crowd prepares to put Paul to death, the leader of the Roman arrives on the scene.
In the pursuit of virtue, we encounter the stumbling block of sin. Within the history of the church, the concept of "the seven deadly sins" has developed and we examine how these have evolved and can be understood today. As today is Halloween, we look at the history of demons associated with each deadly sin!
In the pursuit of virtue, we encounter the stumbling block of sin. Within the history of the church, the concept of "the seven deadly sins" has developed and we examine how these have evolved and can be understood today. As today is Halloween, we look at the history of demons associated with each deadly sin!
The Apostle Paul continues his journey towards Jerusalem with some sense of foreboding about what might transpire. He is faced with a choice between laying down his life and preserving the purpose of his life. He decides that purpose is more important.
The Apostle Paul continues his journey towards Jerusalem with some sense of foreboding about what might transpire. He is faced with a choice between laying down his life and preserving the purpose of his life. He decides that purpose is more important.
In our discussion of virtues, today we encounter "Fortitude", both a virtue and a gift of the Holy Spirit. We see how fortitude enables the other virtues and provides the remaining "hinge" on which a Christian life hangs.
In our discussion of virtues, today we encounter "Fortitude", both a virtue and a gift of the Holy Spirit. We see how fortitude enables the other virtues and provides the remaining "hinge" on which a Christian life hangs.
In a passage full of symbols, we encounter Paul in Troas, where his preaching send s a young man to sleep. We consider the consequences of the church falling asleep and develop a Wesleyan theology of sleep based on John Wesley's sermon "On Redeeming Time."
In a passage full of symbols, we encounter Paul in Troas, where his preaching send s a young man to sleep. We consider the consequences of the church falling asleep and develop a Wesleyan theology of sleep based on John Wesley's sermon "On Redeeming Time."
Today we encounter the third of the cardinal virtues: temperance or self control. How do we develop better self control? We look to Susanna Wesley and her model for raising children as an example of how self control can be taught and inculcated.
Today we encounter the third of the cardinal virtues: temperance or self control. How do we develop better self control? We look to Susanna Wesley and her model for raising children as an example of how self control can be taught and inculcated.
As he begins his third missionary journey, Paul encounters a group of disciples in Ephesus who have no knowledge of the Holy Spirit, or at the very least, no knowledge of the outpouring of the Spirit. In a terse and complex narrative, Luke weaves together the roles of baptism, the Holy Spirit and preaching the Word in the spread of the Good News.
As he begins his third missionary journey, Paul encounters a group of disciples in Ephesus who have no knowledge of the Holy Spirit, or at the very least, no knowledge of the outpouring of the Spirit. In a terse and complex narrative, Luke weaves together the roles of baptism, the Holy Spirit and preaching the Word in the spread of the Good News.
The cardinal virtues - literally virtues upon which a way of life hinges - justice is one that is particularly hard to grasp in this day and age. Justice, in the Biblical narrative, is not paired with "courtroom" or "punishment" but is most commonly found coupled with "righteousness." We explore the terrain of justice as understood in the Biblical context and see how this might inform our work to help usher in the Kingdom of God, here and now.
The cardinal virtues - literally virtues upon which a way of life hinges - justice is one that is particularly hard to grasp in this day and age. Justice, in the Biblical narrative, is not paired with "courtroom" or "punishment" but is most commonly found coupled with "righteousness." We explore the terrain of justice as understood in the Biblical context and see how this might inform our work to help usher in the Kingdom of God, here and now.
When Paul leaves Athens and travels to Corinth his success in preaching the Good News brings troubles of its own. In the night, he has a vision and God tells him not to be afraid, not to be silent, and that God is with him. Perhaps that is a message we each need to hear today: Do not be afraid. Do not be silent. God is with us.
When Paul leaves Athens and travels to Corinth his success in preaching the Good News brings troubles of its own. In the night, he has a vision and God tells him not to be afraid, not to be silent, and that God is with him. Perhaps that is a message we each need to hear today: Do not be afraid. Do not be silent. God is with us.
Prudence - a word not in common use these days - is one of the cardinal virtues; a virtue upon which a way of life hinges. The Proverbs tell us that prudence - the ability to make the best decision among many possibilities - can be taught! How can we make prudent choices - the choices that are "best" in the sense that they open the way to the Kingdom of God?
Prudence - a word not in common use these days - is one of the cardinal virtues; a virtue upon which a way of life hinges. The Proverbs tell us that prudence - the ability to make the best decision among many possibilities - can be taught! How can we make prudent choices - the choices that are "best" in the sense that they open the way to the Kingdom of God?
We encounter Paul in Athens where is confronted with a city full of idols. His speech before the Areopagus provides a model for explaining the good news across cultures. Of course, some scoff and ask for more information - but some believe!
We encounter Paul in Athens where is confronted with a city full of idols. His speech before the Areopagus provides a model for explaining the good news across cultures. Of course, some scoff and ask for more information - but some believe!
Paul's vision in the night - perhaps a dream - leads to the Good News coming to Europe as Paul and his entourage cross over from Troas to Macedonia. The importance of vision in the life of the church continues to be of the utmost significance.
Paul's vision in the night - perhaps a dream - leads to the Good News coming to Europe as Paul and his entourage cross over from Troas to Macedonia. The importance of vision in the life of the church continues to be of the utmost significance.
In our discussion of the importance of virtue, we encounter the second of the theological virtues, hope. The tension between hope and despair is a very real one in the world today and we examine the specifically Christian understanding of the nature of hope and why it is alive and well in the world.
In our discussion of the importance of virtue, we encounter the second of the theological virtues, hope. The tension between hope and despair is a very real one in the world today and we examine the specifically Christian understanding of the nature of hope and why it is alive and well in the world.
Paul and Barnabas disagree over the inclusion of John Mark in their second missionary journey and go their separate ways. The issues of failure, disagreement and reconciliation all surface in this narrative.
Paul and Barnabas disagree over the inclusion of John Mark in their second missionary journey and go their separate ways. The issues of failure, disagreement and reconciliation all surface in this narrative.
Paul and Barnabas meet with the church at Jerusalem over the vexing question of whether or not Gentiles need to follow the Law of Moses to be included among the followers of Jesus. The question of "Who is in and who is out" continues to be a subject of much debate in the church today.
Paul and Barnabas meet with the church at Jerusalem over the vexing question of whether or not Gentiles need to follow the Law of Moses to be included among the followers of Jesus. The question of "Who is in and who is out" continues to be a subject of much debate in the church today.
