Bible

The Bible as a Conversation Starter … not the final word?

God chose not to communicate to us in bullet points, instead he is using poetry, letters, laws, prophecy, proverbs. … So often we use the Bible as a way to end a conversation when I believe it was meant to generate conversation. … The Bible isn’t a blueprint and I think that’s on purpose, … [...]

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Reverence for Preachers and Hearers

The early church father, Hilary of Poitiers wrote this about his self-understanding as a biblical preacher. I’m challenged by his attitude toward Scripture … The Apostle, who instructs us on many things, also teaches us that the word of God must be treated with the greatest reverence, saying ‘whoever speaks [let him speak] as uttering [...]

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New Testament Commentaries: Compiling a Community Resource

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I’d like to form a resource for teachers, preachers, and students of the Bible.  What are some of the most helpful commentaries or study resources for the 27 books of the New Testament? Please respond in the comments with the book, name of the commentary series (if that applies), and the author.  A sentence or [...]

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Tithing and the New Testament Church

Some provocative words from Michael Spencer (aka, ‘Internet Monk’) at his blog this week: Tithing to a local church … is a practice that I can’t see being scripturally required in any new covenant sense. I was taught my entire life that God commanded me to tithe to my local church. Awareness of the larger [...]

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Commitment In Relationships: A Lesson From Ruth

There once was a woman named Ruth, and she was a Moabite.  That is, she was from a mountainous strip of land in Jordan, then called “Moab.”  She can teach us a great deal about real, muscular commitment to relationships. The Ruth of the Hebrew Scriptures made a commitment to Naomi, her mother-in-law, when her [...]

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The “Jealousy” of God

The idea that the God of the Bible is a “jealous” deity has always left me wandering.  On one hand, I kind of like that God is “jealous for me!”  It shows a passion and interest that is comforting (if not egocentric).  On the other hand, jealousy is not the most admirable emotion – it [...]

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Cycle of Grace

A common approach to life is the cycle from “work” to “significance” to “success” to (the hope for) “acceptance.”  Something like this: The key is that, for many of us, the cycle begins in the “work” quadrant.  We feel the intense need to achieve in life.  Our identity is, all too often, based on what [...]

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Micro Theology Time

Drawing from an idea I blogged about awhile back, I want to have another go at micro-theology! How many of you are on Twitter?  How many of you use SMS as a regular communication medium?  You know about the need to say what you mean in a succinct, clear way.  Facebook updates?  Even email, to [...]

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