“A time is coming when those you now treat as enemies and slaves will show you nothing but love in return, when those who you curse with indifference will offer you blessing. When you slap these people on the right cheek, be prepared, for they will turn their left cheek toward you. When you steal … More QUOTABLES: Sermon on the Mount in Reverse
FROM ‘WORD STUDIES’ TO ‘THE STUDY OF THE WORD’: WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA? It is often said that it is impossible to find a needle in a haystack. Yet it also could be said that if, once found, one focuses too narrowly upon the small needle so as not to lose it again, they may … More A Puzzling Path to Glory 4 (Mark 10:45)
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ISAIAH: MARK’S STRUCTURE AND JESUS’ IDENTITY Joel Marcus has shed considerable light on the OT background to Mark’s gospel, noting especially the Isaianic influences in the words and actions of Jesus. Mark uses strategic Isaianic passages to show the reader that God is finally initiating the new exodus and ushering in … More A Puzzling Path to Glory 3 (Mark 10:45)
“EITHER-OR” vs. “BOTH-AND”: HARMONIZING OLD TESTAMENT EXPECTATIONS Mark’s narrative paints a Jesus who is intentionally identifying himself with two OT figures—the Danielic Son of Man and the Isaianic Servant of YHWH; and describes his mission as the fulfillment of their drastically different destinies—the glorious triumph of the Son of Man over Israel’s enemy (“the fourth … More A Puzzling Path to Glory 2 (Mark 10:45)
Warning: This is a dry, dusty old seminary term paper…but grappling with some foundational, mind-blowing stuff worth revisiting and sharing. –JB In the introduction to his massive commentary on the second gospel, R.H. Gundry contends that “the Gospel of Mark contains…no riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma…Mark’s meaning lies on the surface. He … More A Puzzling Path to Glory 1 (Mark 10:45)
Have you seen this recent piece of art making the rounds? It’s called “One Nation Under God.” As you can see, Jesus is front and center holding the U.S. Constitution which, according to this artist, was “inspired by God.” Greg Boyd took this artist’s message to task on his blog, saying among other things: “Artistically … More Jesus, the Constitution & the Founding Fathers
A repost from a few years back in remembrance of Michael Clark Duncan’s passing this year. -JB It’s already been 10 years since the release of The Green Mile (1999). The Stephen King film stars Tom Hanks as a Death row guard and the massively large and mysteriously gifted prisoner named John Coffey played by Michael … More MOVIE REVIEW: Jesus Went “The Green Mile”
[Following the Resurrection] “When the apostles met together with Jesus, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the Kingdom to Israel?” Jesus said to them, “The times and occasions are set by my Father’s own authority, and it is not for you to know when they will be. But when the Holy … More HE IS RISEN!! Now what? (Acts 1:6-12)
As the OT comes to a close, God’s plan to bring a tone-deaf and clumsy footed people back into the harmonious rhythms of The Father’s Song seems a giant failure. If only these notes on a page could become music in one’s ear. If only someone could learn to play each note perfectly, perhaps the … More FATHER’S SONG (12): More Than Sheet Music (Jesus)
What do you think?
I love Colbert’s satire. There’s always such a sharp dose of truth hidden beneath all the jokes. Enjoy! [Click on image to watch video]
The disciples wanted a kingdom without a cross. Many would-be “orthodox” or “conservative” Christians in our world have wanted a cross without a kingdom, an abstract “atonement” that would have nothing to do with this world except to provide the means of escaping it. Many too have wanted a “divine” Jesus as a kind of … More QUOTABLES: N.T. Wright on the Jesus we want
“I find an increasing number of young Christians are willing to say “enough is enough” when it comes to militarism, to military budgets, and to embracing a peace orientation toward how Christians are to live in a world of international conflicts. Ronald Sider (Christ and Violence) and John Howard Yoder (The Politics of Jesus ) have … More QUOTABLES: Scot McKnight on Non-Violence
Here is one of the highest points of Jesus’ radical teaching on Christian character and lifestyle. I led a Bible study on this last night, and wanted to share some notes and quotes largely taken from Barclay’s Daily Bible Study Series. Enjoy. Eye for Eye 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for … More Non-Retaliation & Radical Love (Matt 5:38-48)
We’re going through the Sermon on the Mount this summer at MainStreet. This week we covered the Beatitudes. Here’s John Stott’s concise, insightful summary of these 8 countercultural kingdom qualities Jesus calls us to develop. Blessed are (1) the poor in spirit, (2) those who mourn, (3) the meek, (4) those who hunger and thirst … More John Stott on the Beatitudes
Jesus is the fullest revelation of God’s character. “If you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the Father,” Jesus said. God looks like Jesus. If you want to know the character of God, look at Jesus. I reread Jonathan Edwards’ famous sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”, recently. I simply read paragraph after paragraph, … More An Angry God?
As I type this, I’m listening to nationally syndicated conservative talk show host Dennis Prager. I’ve been a regular listener of his for about 10 years. He’s one of my favorite conservatives, and I’ve always enjoyed his show for it’s focus on clarifying the Left-Right political divide, and the character he shows in his interactions … More Ben Franklin’s God in a So-called Christian America
Here’s a great answer from Sandy Richter. Is understanding the context of the Old Testament essential to understanding the meaning of what Jesus taught? I certainly believe with all the campus ministries and Four Spiritual Laws and tracts … the simplest presentation of the Gospel message can bring someone into the Kingdom–but … that is … More Q&A: Is the OT essential for understanding Jesus?
“Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest” (John 4:35). There’s a powerful lesson and warning to the church in this passage I’ve never noticed until today. It seems as though Jesus is confronting a popular … More When Conventional Wisdom Reaches it’s Expiration Date
Jesus was not seeker sensitive. He was not after the crowds. Obviously, his signs and wonders, and authoritative teaching naturally drew crowds. But in the scene below we find Jesus trying to escape the clamoring crowds and find a moment of solitude. Even more shocking, when his disciples tell him of a crowd of people … More The Day Jesus Skipped Church (Mark 1:35-39)
Which Jesus do you follow? This is the most significant question we can ask. The New Testament declares that Jesus is the full and accurate picture of the invisible God. When you stare into the face of Jesus, you’re looking into the face of Almighty God. So, what kind of a God does Jesus reveal? … More Greg Boyd Puts the “Smack Down” on Mark Driscoll’s Jesus
I have the opportunity to have coffee/lunch chats often with young disciples of Jesus. It’s one of my highlights of ministry, and I only dream I can impart some Jesus-like wisdom to these friends to spur them on in their walk of faith. Have you ever wondered what a coffee chat with Jesus would be … More Coffee with Jesus – 1st Century Style
“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4) I suspect Jesus wouldn’t last long in churches today before being fired for “irresponsible” leadership. What pastor in his right … More Leaving 99 to find 1
Jeremy L. Berg 