In the Biblical narrative, the first question asked of humankind by God is, "Where are you?" And the answer to that question speaks to the worldview of the hearer. Adam and Eve were hiding, the people of Israel were in and out of the Promised Land, and the followers of Jesus are ... well, where are we? The answer "in Christ" as a primary locator speaks to a way of seeing the world and the grand narrative of which we are a part.
In the Biblical narrative, the first question asked of humankind by God is, "Where are you?" And the answer to that question speaks to the worldview of the hearer. Adam and Eve were hiding, the people of Israel were in and out of the Promised Land, and the followers of Jesus are ... well, where are we? The answer "in Christ" as a primary locator speaks to a way of seeing the world and the grand narrative of which we are a part.
Worldview - the lens through which we see and interpret the world - answers our basic questions, even when we don't know that we have asked them. Words/stories, symbols and praxis are elements of worldview that we can examine across the ages to see how our modern-day filters might affect our reading of ancient narratives and perhaps cause us to misunderstand the nature of the Gospel.
Worldview - the lens through which we see and interpret the world - answers our basic questions, even when we don't know that we have asked them. Words/stories, symbols and praxis are elements of worldview that we can examine across the ages to see how our modern-day filters might affect our reading of ancient narratives and perhaps cause us to misunderstand the nature of the Gospel.
The ways in which we speak allow us to attach to our phrases the level or certainty we have in them. Do we know something, feel it, guess it is true, trust in it, and so on. One of the important reasons for reading Scripture is to engage experientially such that we acquire non-propositional knowledge (trust, faith, hope and so on) in the person of Christ. Through his words and deeds, we come to see a standing point from which we can examine other truth claims with clarity.
The ways in which we speak allow us to attach to our phrases the level or certainty we have in them. Do we know something, feel it, guess it is true, trust in it, and so on. One of the important reasons for reading Scripture is to engage experientially such that we acquire non-propositional knowledge (trust, faith, hope and so on) in the person of Christ. Through his words and deeds, we come to see a standing point from which we can examine other truth claims with clarity.
As we discuss longing, hope and desire, we see that the Psalms, with their poetic structure, capture well the sense in which hope is rooted in the faithfulness of God, and made real in the world through covenant as an expression of God's steadfast love.
As we discuss longing, hope and desire, we see that the Psalms, with their poetic structure, capture well the sense in which hope is rooted in the faithfulness of God, and made real in the world through covenant as an expression of God's steadfast love.
In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul writes of the resurrection using a series of conditional claims, "if this ... then that" We examine his use of this way of discourse and see how shapes for us both indicatives and imperatives. Paul uses a well-rounded grammar to explore faith and teach his readers.
In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul writes of the resurrection using a series of conditional claims, "if this ... then that" We examine his use of this way of discourse and see how shapes for us both indicatives and imperatives. Paul uses a well-rounded grammar to explore faith and teach his readers.
We consider the role of questions in the grammar of faith - especially those questions which we tend not to ask because the supposed answers are culturally conditioned within us as part of our worldview.
We consider the role of questions in the grammar of faith - especially those questions which we tend not to ask because the supposed answers are culturally conditioned within us as part of our worldview.
As we examine the grammar of faith, we look at imperatives – simply understood here as commands – and see how the ten commandments work in the Biblical narrative (and how the great commandment of Jesus sits alongside). What would these commandments look like if reframed as optatives – hopes and longings – and how would we respond if we really believed that God would pitch his tent among us if we cleaned up the neighborhood in alignment with these hopes and longings?
As we examine the grammar of faith, we look at imperatives – simply understood here as commands – and see how the ten commandments work in the Biblical narrative (and how the great commandment of Jesus sits alongside). What would these commandments look like if reframed as optatives – hopes and longings – and how would we respond if we really believed that God would pitch his tent among us if we cleaned up the neighborhood in alignment with these hopes and longings?
In talking about and understanding faith, we take many different, individual positions with respect to what we say. Here, we develop ideas about how mood and modality can help us to form a more robust and well-rounded vocabulary of faith and also help us grasp new and complex facets of faith.
In talking about and understanding faith, we take many different, individual positions with respect to what we say. Here, we develop ideas about how mood and modality can help us to form a more robust and well-rounded vocabulary of faith and also help us grasp new and complex facets of faith.
Taking a look at the history of Pentecost and why it matters today.
Taking a look at the history of Pentecost and why it matters today.
As we examine the ascension through consideration of language, theology and politics in first-century Israel, we see that ascension is not about absence but about glorification. We see how Luke uses ascension to again proclaim that Jesus is Lord (and Caesar is not)!
As we examine the ascension through consideration of language, theology and politics in first-century Israel, we see that ascension is not about absence but about glorification. We see how Luke uses ascension to again proclaim that Jesus is Lord (and Caesar is not)!
In the introductory verses of the Acts of the Apostles, Luke reminds us of the charge that Jesus gave to his disciples to be witnesses. We explore the concept of "witness" and what it means in the world today.
In the introductory verses of the Acts of the Apostles, Luke reminds us of the charge that Jesus gave to his disciples to be witnesses. We explore the concept of "witness" and what it means in the world today.
As Luke starts his second major work, he looks back at his Gospel and touches on the central features of his narrative. Today, we see how he weaves together reminders about the importance of and connectivity between kingdom, baptism and the Spirit.
As Luke starts his second major work, he looks back at his Gospel and touches on the central features of his narrative. Today, we see how he weaves together reminders about the importance of and connectivity between kingdom, baptism and the Spirit.
As Luke begins The Acts of The Apostles, he summarizes what he has written in his Gospel by reference to "all that Jesus did and taught." We look back through the Gospel of Luke and see how his descriptions of Jesus and the Kingdom confirm the in-breaking of the reign of God in the world.
As Luke begins The Acts of The Apostles, he summarizes what he has written in his Gospel by reference to "all that Jesus did and taught." We look back through the Gospel of Luke and see how his descriptions of Jesus and the Kingdom confirm the in-breaking of the reign of God in the world.
As Luke concludes his "careful account," he brings us full circle back to Jerusalem and the Temple having done the job that he set out to do: establishing Jesus as Son of God, Son of Man, Son of David and Messiah, and establishing the in-breaking of the reign of God and and life under the new covenant.
In Luke's "orderly account," we hear of the first post-resurrection appearance of Jesus. On the road to Emmaus, Jesus is made known to two individuals through the interpretation of Scripture and the breaking of bread. We see how Luke works towards completing his narrative through this account and shows us a model for an encounter with Christ.
In Luke's "orderly account," we hear of the first post-resurrection appearance of Jesus. On the road to Emmaus, Jesus is made known to two individuals through the interpretation of Scripture and the breaking of bread. We see how Luke works towards completing his narrative through this account and shows us a model for an encounter with Christ.
On Easter Sunday we look to the resurrection to explain the Gospel (and not to the Gospel to explain the resurrection). The witness of the resurrection explains for us much that occurred in the Holy Land in the years following the ministry of Jesus.
