Once again, it’s Masters Week, the unofficial beginning of the year for golfers.  The tournament begins tomorrow and several of the top players are in good form.  Anything at all can happen, however, in this very unpredictable first major of 2013. Phil Mickelson was on his way to winning it last year when a triple […]

In a number of passages in his letters, Paul casts non-Christians (or, humanity outside of Christ) in pretty dark terms.  Just read Romans 1:18-3:21, or Ephesians 2:1-3 and 4:17-19. When Paul writes to his churches about life outside the Kingdom of God community, he puts it in terms of idolatry, alienation from God, enmity with […]

We’re nearing the time for college and university graduations and a bit after that, high school graduations.  I’ve been asked to speak at a high school graduation in a few months and so I’m giving some thought to what I’ll say. What’s the best commencement or graduation speech you’ve ever heard?  Do you remember what […]

Sarah and I enjoyed a fun weekend at the Wheaton Theology Conference.  The excellent presentations left us with much to reflect upon and we were happy to catch up with some good friends. In my paper, I argued that a narrative approach helpfully illuminates Romans 13:1-7.  Paul’s instruction here has the same basic shape as […]

The Gospel reading today was John 20:19-31, John’s account of Thomas’ doubt and eventual confession of Jesus as his Lord and God. The choir sang this lovely piece, written by Thomas Troeger, called, “These Things Did Thomas Count As Real.” These things did Thomas count as real: the warmth of blood, the chill of steel, […]

*Given at Midtown Christian Community, April 25, 2009 O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, […]