VIDEO: Greg Boyd Tackles Myth of Christian Nation
November 5, 2010
Tag: Jesus
The Day Jesus Skipped Church (Mark 1:35-39)
October 27, 2010
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)
Lazy Day Observations at Barnes & Noble
October 23, 2010
I went there to look for a new book to read, but found myself reading the bookstore and its shoppers instead. Let me share what I observed. Steady traffic by the Diet and Cookbook section. Many people concerned with their physical appetite and eating habits browsed through Magic with Meats, Vegetarian and natural food options, … More Lazy Day Observations at Barnes & Noble
Greg Boyd Puts the “Smack Down” on Mark Driscoll’s Jesus
September 28, 2010
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
Coffee with Jesus – 1st Century Style
August 18, 2010
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
QUOTABLES: David T. Olson on Domesticating Jesus
June 11, 2010
“Why do so many seekers report that they are attracted to Jesus but not to the church? Perhaps the problem is that the church has done a splendid job of concealing the powerful life-giving Jesus. We domesticate him; we make him our servant; we assume that people have more knowledge about him than they do. … More QUOTABLES: David T. Olson on Domesticating Jesus
Which Government Do You Serve?
June 9, 2010
The political climate in America this week is boiling hot on the heals of Sunday night’s signing of the Obamacare proposal. There is an apocalyptic like mood on the conservative right, with talk show hosts prognosticating on the eventual collapse of America as we know it. Today, I walked to the gas station for a … More Which Government Do You Serve?
Sex & Politics: Taboo Topics Galore
June 2, 2010
Let’s bring religion, sex, and politics to the dinner table! Jesus and the Bible have a lot to say about them. Tread carefully and expect disagreements. FAITH & POLITICS ARCHIVE SEX & GOD ARCHIVE
Adventures in Mark 6 (4:35-41)
April 30, 2010
On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.”And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the … More Adventures in Mark 6 (4:35-41)
Wolf Attack
April 28, 2010
So, I rarely have dreams — or ones that I remember anyway. But this morning I woke up in a cold sweat from a nightmare where I was being chased by a vicious wolf who eventually caught me and began eating my arms off. Is there some deeper significance here? Why would I dream of … More Wolf Attack
Adventures in Mark 3 (1:35-39)
April 23, 2010
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby … More Adventures in Mark 3 (1:35-39)
Leaving 99 to find 1
April 16, 2010
“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
Adventures in Mark 1 (1:9-13)
April 16, 2010
Today we begin an ongoing series of reflections on Mark’s gospel. Saddle up for a discipleship adventure! At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him … More Adventures in Mark 1 (1:9-13)
PARABLES: Sower, Seed and Soil 1
January 13, 2010
“Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, … More PARABLES: Sower, Seed and Soil 1
“Yoked” for the New Year (Matt 11:28)
January 4, 2010
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry” (Matthew 11:28-30). … More “Yoked” for the New Year (Matt 11:28)
Who’s at Your Table? (Luke 14:12-14)
December 7, 2009
Here’s an oldie but goodie from the earliest DI archives written to the Revolutionary teenagers in Mound a few years back. Always a good reminder of how radically loving and inclusive our Lord and Savior is. Peace, JB “When you host a dinner or a banquet, don’t invite your friends or your brothers or your … More Who’s at Your Table? (Luke 14:12-14)
Q & A – The Kingdom of God in a Nutshell
September 28, 2009
An inquisitive high school freshman from our youth group emailed me the following question today: Q:“What do you think the Bible means by the Kingdom of God?” This is such a central theme of the NT and yet it is so dynamic and varied in its uses and references that one does not blame someone … More Q & A – The Kingdom of God in a Nutshell
Boyd Waxes Bold on Jesus & Politics (Again)
September 10, 2009
What did Jesus mean when he told his fellow Jews to “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and give to God what is God’s”? Greg Boyd brings another strong critique of American tendencies toward a nationalized version of Christianity. In a recent sermon entitled “Handing Jesus Over to Caesar” Boyd argues that Jesus’ answer “undermined … More Boyd Waxes Bold on Jesus & Politics (Again)
Cruciform Justice 4: Business As Usual in the ‘Fight’ for Peace
August 20, 2009
BUSINESS AS USUAL IN THE ‘FIGHT’ FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE Before exploring the world-altering event of the cross and a cruciformed concept of justice, we need to spend some time in what will be much more familiar territory for most of us. I speak of the marketplace of ideas where ‘the fight for freedom,’ the … More Cruciform Justice 4: Business As Usual in the ‘Fight’ for Peace
Cruciform Justice 3: Light Has Dawned
August 18, 2009
The New Testament announces the arrival of The Light. “The Word became flesh and, full of grace and truth, lived among us. We saw his glory, the glory which he received as the Father’s only Son” (John 1:14). The Kingdom of God was at hand and the blessings of the future Messianic Age were being … More Cruciform Justice 3: Light Has Dawned
Christ Encounter #4: Jesus and Family (Mark 3:20ff)
August 16, 2009
20 One time Jesus entered a house, and the crowds began to gather again. Soon he and his disciples couldn’t even find time to eat. 21 When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him away. “He’s out of his mind,” they said. 22 But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said, … More Christ Encounter #4: Jesus and Family (Mark 3:20ff)
PHILIPPIANS 20: Shine Like Stars (2:14-16)
August 12, 2009
Do everything without grumbling and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights amidst a crooked and perverse generation. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in … More PHILIPPIANS 20: Shine Like Stars (2:14-16)
“Behind-the-Wheel” Evangelism
June 16, 2009
Many of you know I spent several years during seminary teaching Driver Education and substitute teaching in the public schools. I had many neat encounters with teens, but one of my all time favorite stories involves Greg. And it all began in the front seat of the student driver car. Greg was a skinny, geeky … More “Behind-the-Wheel” Evangelism
PHILIPPIANS 14: Dancing in a Mosh-Pit World (Phil 2:1-2)
June 4, 2009
“Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort provided by love, any fellowship in the Spirit, any affection or mercy, complete my joy and be of the same mind, by having the same love, being united in spirit, and having one purpose” (Phil 2:1-2). My teenage years were spent concert-hopping, and participating in that … More PHILIPPIANS 14: Dancing in a Mosh-Pit World (Phil 2:1-2)
Sand Castles: A Summer Challenge to Teens
June 3, 2009
Reposted from 2009 when I was a youth pastor. -JB If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock. But if you just use my … More Sand Castles: A Summer Challenge to Teens
Jeremy Berg 