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One year ago, the world took note of an important anniversary. That 500th anniversary marked an event that shook the Christian world. In 1517 Martin Luther challenged the church, the papal authorities, in order to (...)

The concept of freedom is one of the most valued and debated ideas in Western democracies. It is central to contemporary debates surrounding voting rights, freedom of speech, a woman’s right to choose, gun laws (...)

If 1 John had a social media footprint, this week’s status update would read, “See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God” (1 John 3:1).1 These are (...)

Let’s go with the snow. It stands out in the text, because it is rare in the Bible, as it is in Palestine. Like all the psalms, this poetic text contains many more rich images (...)

John 1:(1-9), 10-18 is the assigned Gospel lesson for Christmas 2, Years A, B, and C. While John 1:1-9 is optional, verses 10-18 make little sense without the premises set out in the opening verses. (...)

Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth is beautiful in its humane simplicity. Who can forget it? The story unfolds in three clear episodes. We sympathize with Joseph and (especially) pregnant Mary, as they make the journey (...)

Jesus begins his ministry by proclaiming the “good news” of the gospel, which is that “the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God has come near” (Mark 1:15). Jesus’ coming was the “fullness of (...)

The preacher of this text for this Sunday’s sermon receives my congratulations for originality and guts. Who preaches on the death of John the Baptist? Except for special occasions, who speaks of politics from the (...)

This lectionary pericope is the opening section of Jesus’ final discourse for the world. Greeks arrive on the scene, find Philip, and make one of the most extraordinary requests of the entire Gospel, “Sir, we (...)

Psalm 118 is the last psalm in a group of six psalms in Book Five known as the “the Egyptian Hallel” (Psalms 113-118), psalms that are used in present-day Jewish life at the Passover meal (...)