In the words to "O, For A Thousand Tongues To Sing", Charles Wesley celebrates the anniversary of his evangelical conversion. We explore the Wesleyan understanding of "conversion" and how that understanding is reflected in the words of this famous hymn.
In the words to "O, For A Thousand Tongues To Sing", Charles Wesley celebrates the anniversary of his evangelical conversion. We explore the Wesleyan understanding of "conversion" and how that understanding is reflected in the words of this famous hymn.
The hymns we sing are an important way to communicate and teach our theology. The story behind Amazing Grace and the lyrics themselves express a profund understanding of the nature of God's grace.
The hymns we sing are an important way to communicate and teach our theology. The story behind Amazing Grace and the lyrics themselves express a profund understanding of the nature of God's grace.
On this First Sunday After The Epiphany we celebrate and remember The Baptism Of The Lord, which raises for us the question, "Why Baptize Jesus?" Even John the Baptist seemed troubled at the prospect of baptizing Jesus! Matthew seems to view the baptism of Jesus as an event in which the Messiah stands in for the true people of Israel as their representative, signifying their repentance and their re-creation to follow their true purpose - to bring about the salvation of the world!
On this First Sunday After The Epiphany we celebrate and remember The Baptism Of The Lord, which raises for us the question, "Why Baptize Jesus?" Even John the Baptist seemed troubled at the prospect of baptizing Jesus! Matthew seems to view the baptism of Jesus as an event in which the Messiah stands in for the true people of Israel as their representative, signifying their repentance and their re-creation to follow their true purpose - to bring about the salvation of the world!
On this Epiphany Sunday we examine the account of the Magi visiting Jesus and explore the understandings of this account in Matthew's world. How do we respond to moments of epiphany? Do we resemble Herod, who rejected the news of Christ, or do we resemble the Magi who embraced the news!
On this Epiphany Sunday we examine the account of the Magi visiting Jesus and explore the understandings of this account in Matthew's world. How do we respond to moments of epiphany? Do we resemble Herod, who rejected the news of Christ, or do we resemble the Magi who embraced the news!
In Matthew's telling of the account of Mary and Joseph fleeing to Egypt with Jesus, we encounter a Christian midrash on the story of Moses and the Exodus. In this haggadic midrash, Matthew shows that he understands the life of Jesus to recapitulate the life of Israel. In Matthew's mind, Christmas wasn't simply the birth of Jesus - it was the rebirth of the entire people of God!
In Matthew's telling of the account of Mary and Joseph fleeing to Egypt with Jesus, we encounter a Christian midrash on the story of Moses and the Exodus. In this haggadic midrash, Matthew shows that he understands the life of Jesus to recapitulate the life of Israel. In Matthew's mind, Christmas wasn't simply the birth of Jesus - it was the rebirth of the entire people of God!
In Luke's account of the birth of Jesus we find Mary and Joseph wandering the streets looking for shelter while the most unlikely of people - the shepherds - receive news of the coming of the Messiah. When love comes down at Christmas it seems that it chooses the most unlikely of people as its agents in the world.
In Luke's account of the birth of Jesus we find Mary and Joseph wandering the streets looking for shelter while the most unlikely of people - the shepherds - receive news of the coming of the Messiah. When love comes down at Christmas it seems that it chooses the most unlikely of people as its agents in the world.
As Matthew interprets the birth of Jesus through his understanding of the words of the prophet Isaiah, we see one come into the world whose message of love for God and neighbor inspires us to light the Candle of Love in our Advent wreath.
As Matthew interprets the birth of Jesus through his understanding of the words of the prophet Isaiah, we see one come into the world whose message of love for God and neighbor inspires us to light the Candle of Love in our Advent wreath.
On this Third Sunday of Advent, as we light the candle of Joy in our Advent wreath, we look at the portrait of joy that Isaiah paints with his words and that Matthew adopted in his understanding of the coming of Jesus. We see that joy is much more than happiness and that when we proclaim "Joy to the World" we are making a call for justice, restoration and peace that includes all of the created order.
On this Third Sunday of Advent, as we light the candle of Joy in our Advent wreath, we look at the portrait of joy that Isaiah paints with his words and that Matthew adopted in his understanding of the coming of Jesus. We see that joy is much more than happiness and that when we proclaim "Joy to the World" we are making a call for justice, restoration and peace that includes all of the created order.
Today we light the Candle of Peace on this Second Sunday of Advent. We look to the vision of Isaiah, as understood by Matthew and used by him to bring focus to the ministry of Jesus. How can we be agents of Shalom in the world, seeking to usher in the Kingdom of Heaven? Matthew tells us that it is the makers of shalom who are blessed to be children of God.
Today we light the Candle of Peace on this Second Sunday of Advent. We look to the vision of Isaiah, as understood by Matthew and used by him to bring focus to the ministry of Jesus. How can we be agents of Shalom in the world, seeking to usher in the Kingdom of Heaven? Matthew tells us that it is the makers of shalom who are blessed to be children of God.
Our lectionary texts for this First Sunday of Advent (Isaiah 2:1-5 and Matthew 24:36-44) speak to people who look for hope in a dark world and who wait for hope to made real among them. The call on our lives is to be agents of hope and through spreading hope in the world to usher in the Kingdom of God.
Our lectionary texts for this First Sunday of Advent (Isaiah 2:1-5 and Matthew 24:36-44) speak to people who look for hope in a dark world and who wait for hope to made real among them. The call on our lives is to be agents of hope and through spreading hope in the world to usher in the Kingdom of God.
We follow Paul from his encounter with King Herod Agrippa and Festus through to his last words in Rome. On Christ the King Sunday, we see the shining example of the Apostle Paul as one dedicated to proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God and the Lordship of Christ.
We follow Paul from his encounter with King Herod Agrippa and Festus through to his last words in Rome. On Christ the King Sunday, we see the shining example of the Apostle Paul as one dedicated to proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God and the Lordship of Christ.
On Christ the King Sunday, the last Sunday of the liturgical year, we see how the Kingship of Christ leads to the call on our lives to usher in the Kingdom of God. This is the culmination of the church year and proclaims that the vocation of humankind is the work of ushering in God's Kingdom.
On Christ the King Sunday, the last Sunday of the liturgical year, we see how the Kingship of Christ leads to the call on our lives to usher in the Kingdom of God. This is the culmination of the church year and proclaims that the vocation of humankind is the work of ushering in God's Kingdom.
The Apostle Paul, faithful to his vision of Jesus calling him to carry the Gospel to the political center of his world - Rome - demands to be heard by the emperor. The die is cast and Paul's destination is set.
The Apostle Paul, faithful to his vision of Jesus calling him to carry the Gospel to the political center of his world - Rome - demands to be heard by the emperor. The die is cast and Paul's destination is set.
As we conclude our series on "The Importance Of Virtue", we examine the role of the church in facilitating the hard work necessary in making virtue second nature.
As we conclude our series on "The Importance Of Virtue", we examine the role of the church in facilitating the hard work necessary in making virtue second nature.
The Apostle Paul, in a very precarious situation in Jerusalem, remains faithful to his vision and negotiates his way through a confrontation with the Roman authorities. As today, in many parts of the world, the matter comes down to a question of citizenship.
The Apostle Paul, in a very precarious situation in Jerusalem, remains faithful to his vision and negotiates his way through a confrontation with the Roman authorities. As today, in many parts of the world, the matter comes down to a question of citizenship.
