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Habakkuk has in the past been deemed a dangerous book.1 Ulrike Bail writes that in 1940, a church newspaper in Basel Switzerland published a column under the title: “Word on the (Current) Situation” that included (...)

Series Overview Initial impressions of Hebrews might suggest that the writer is detached from any context. The opening chapter takes people into the heavenly realm of the angels. In what follows the author seems to (...)

Notes for a six-week preaching series on Job.1 These are suggested passages from the book of Job to be used for a sermon series. I’ve sketched a few ideas for each week, but you may (...)

Former Texas Governor Ann Richards (1933-2006) once said, “You can put lipstick and earrings on a hog and call it Monique, but it’s still a pig.” Read this Sunday’s Gospel lection. Meet Monique. But make (...)

Last Sunday’s Gospel lection, Mark 5:1-20, recounted a tale of terror. This Sunday: a tale of two pities. The predicaments in Mark 5:21-43 are so poignant that they would make a stone weep. Using his (...)

When interpreting the prophets it is always important to understand the historical context in which the prophetic message was uttered, lest that particular word of the LORD, delivered to a particular people, in a particular (...)

The hopefulness and unity of the kingdom of Israel glimpsed in last week’s readings are no more. Jealousy, greed, and selfishness in David’s household and among his descendants, have led to coups, rape, murders, and (...)

Wisdom Literature Worship and Preaching Series Introduction: The following commentary and worship “Wisdom Literature” worship and preaching series is designed for congregations that follow the Narrative Lectionary (NL) during the normal North American congregational program (...)

Narrative models of reading scripture encourage interpreters to consider the meaning of a text (its cognitive content) and the “action” or “effect” of the text. Texts not only mean something, they do something. Many of (...)

Luke’s account of the nativity of Jesus begins not with Mary and Joseph, not in a manger, nor even among shepherds (at least not yet), but in the distant center of Roman power: “In those (...)