The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on one particular Pentecost many years ago is celebrated today as the fulfillment of the giving of Torah and so allows for the leading of the Spirit in lives of faith, characterized by love.
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on one particular Pentecost many years ago is celebrated today as the fulfillment of the giving of Torah and so allows for the leading of the Spirit in lives of faith, characterized by love.
In the final chapter of Galatians, Paul writes of a two-fold approach to following the leading of the Spirit in love: assisting others and self examination. John Wesley's questions for "small groups" are helpful in this regard as we share with others in an atmosphere of trust and concern.
In the final chapter of Galatians, Paul writes of a two-fold approach to following the leading of the Spirit in love: assisting others and self examination. John Wesley's questions for "small groups" are helpful in this regard as we share with others in an atmosphere of trust and concern.
In the fifth chapter of his letter to the churches of Galatia, Paul interprets Christ's message as one of freedom from slavery, even slavery to obedience to the law. He maintains that the only thing that counts is faith working through love and the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ His position is that "if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law." Indeed, if justification by obedience to the law were possible then the wo...
In the fifth chapter of his letter to the churches of Galatia, Paul interprets Christ's message as one of freedom from slavery, even slavery to obedience to the law. He maintains that the only thing that counts is faith working through love and the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ His position is that "if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law." Indeed, if justification by obedience to the law were possible then the wo...
Included in chapter 4 of Galatians is Paul's allegorical reading of the story of Abraham, Sarah and Hagar which he employs to support his case that works of the law cannot lead to justification but that this blessing is accessible only through faith which is itself a response to grace.
In the third chapter of Galatians, Paul presents the proofs for his argument that Gentiles do not have first to become Jews in order to become followers of Jesus. His discussion includes arguments from Scripture in which he shows a new way of interpreting and understanding what has been written, and provides important lessons for us, today, in this regard.
In the third chapter of Galatians, Paul presents the proofs for his argument that Gentiles do not have first to become Jews in order to become followers of Jesus. His discussion includes arguments from Scripture in which he shows a new way of interpreting and understanding what has been written, and provides important lessons for us, today, in this regard.
In Chapter 2 of Galatians, Paul makes clear that "... we know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ" and the reason behind his claim is "... for if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing." Paul reasons that Torah-obedience is not to be required of Gentiles who seek to be followers of Jesus and his embrace of the Gentile community requires an end to their exclusion based on a precondition of such Torah obedience. Preven...
In Chapter 2 of Galatians, Paul makes clear that "... we know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ" and the reason behind his claim is "... for if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing." Paul reasons that Torah-obedience is not to be required of Gentiles who seek to be followers of Jesus and his embrace of the Gentile community requires an end to their exclusion based on a precondition of such Torah obedience. Preven...
In the first chapter of Galatians we see an example of the transforming power of grace in the life of Saul/Paul. Paul describes himself as an "apostle" - one commissioned and sent by another for a specific purpose. In this case, Paul sees himself as sent by God through Christ and not by any other person to deliver a message of grace that is good news to those who receive it.
In the first chapter of Galatians we see an example of the transforming power of grace in the life of Saul/Paul. Paul describes himself as an "apostle" - one commissioned and sent by another for a specific purpose. In this case, Paul sees himself as sent by God through Christ and not by any other person to deliver a message of grace that is good news to those who receive it.
On this Easter Sunday we look to the discovery of the empty tomb as described in Mark's Gospel to see how this author understands dying, death and resurrection as leading to new life.
On this Easter Sunday we look to the discovery of the empty tomb as described in Mark's Gospel to see how this author understands dying, death and resurrection as leading to new life.
As we explore Mark's Palm Sunday account of the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem we see signs and symbols intended to proclaim to us exactly who it is that is entering the city: the King, the Messiah, the Savior, the Son of David. Indeed, the list goes on and on.
As we explore Mark's Palm Sunday account of the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem we see signs and symbols intended to proclaim to us exactly who it is that is entering the city: the King, the Messiah, the Savior, the Son of David. Indeed, the list goes on and on.
In John's Gospel we find an account of what might be considered the calm before the storm as Jesus pauses for dinner with friends on his journey to Jerusalem. We read of the anointing of Jesus in preparation for the Passover and for the death which is to be his destiny as the Son of Man who dies on behalf of his people as part of the dying-death-resurrection - new life model for salvation.
In John's Gospel we find an account of what might be considered the calm before the storm as Jesus pauses for dinner with friends on his journey to Jerusalem. We read of the anointing of Jesus in preparation for the Passover and for the death which is to be his destiny as the Son of Man who dies on behalf of his people as part of the dying-death-resurrection - new life model for salvation.
In chapter 15 of luke's Gospel we find three parables dealing with a lost sheep, a lost coin and a lost son. As the lost are found, so the flock, the treasury, and the family are made whole in stories that echo the narrative of the Babylonian Exile and return to Judah. The stories of reconciliation show us that when one son is lost, the family itself is made incomplete and that for there to be wholeness for all, the one who strayed must be welcomed home.
In chapter 15 of luke's Gospel we find three parables dealing with a lost sheep, a lost coin and a lost son. As the lost are found, so the flock, the treasury, and the family are made whole in stories that echo the narrative of the Babylonian Exile and return to Judah. The stories of reconciliation show us that when one son is lost, the family itself is made incomplete and that for there to be wholeness for all, the one who strayed must be welcomed home.
Through conversation and parable, Jesus explains that even though not all bad things are consequences of our own actions, our own bad actions can have serious consequences. And so we need to turn away from them and turn towards producing fruit as we rejoice in the LORD.
Through conversation and parable, Jesus explains that even though not all bad things are consequences of our own actions, our own bad actions can have serious consequences. And so we need to turn away from them and turn towards producing fruit as we rejoice in the LORD.
On this Second Sunday in Lent we look to the journey of Jesus towards Jerusalem through the lens of the Exodus and as a movement from slavery to freedom.
On this Second Sunday in Lent we look to the journey of Jesus towards Jerusalem through the lens of the Exodus and as a movement from slavery to freedom.
As we hear the words of Scripture that the same Lord is Lord of all, we look to see how that might be reflected in a global church like The United Methodist Church. In conversation with Pastor Mainsa Diaman of Jerusalem Parish, Solwezi, Zambia, we see how we can engage in ministry globally even when situated locally.
As we hear the words of Scripture that the same Lord is Lord of all, we look to see how that might be reflected in a global church like The United Methodist Church. In conversation with Pastor Mainsa Diaman of Jerusalem Parish, Solwezi, Zambia, we see how we can engage in ministry globally even when situated locally.
In the final lines of the Nicene Creed we find the "marks of the church" and the call for baptismal unity as the world to come reaches out to us from the future.
In the final lines of the Nicene Creed we find the "marks of the church" and the call for baptismal unity as the world to come reaches out to us from the future.
The Nicene Creed describes the Holy Spirit as "the giver of life", one who is active in the world, speaking through the prophets, and who is generated by the Father and the Son, sharing the name "Lord". We see how the Holy Spirit is active throughout the Biblical narrative, from start to finish, and continues to be active in the world today.
