   (…continued)  The novel The Robe gives us a wonderful way to approach these old stories.  Lloyd Douglas was not the first one to come up with the idea, and most preachers have done this in one form or another.  But he does this really well, and as he tells the story, he teaches […]
830) The Robe (b) Read More »
   Have you heard of Harry Potter and the Hogwarts School of Wizardry?  How about Captain Kirk and the star ship Enterprise?  How about Charlie Brown or Bart Simpson?  Two more.  Have you heard about the Roman soldier Marcellus Gallio and his Greek slave Demetrius?  Those last two are perhaps not as familiar as
829) The Robe (a) Read More »
“Son of Man” is the title Jesus usually applied to himself.  It is one of the most often used names for Jesus in the Gospels.  It is also the least understood.  The following reading offers a brief explanation.  (From Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus, pages 47-49, by Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg) ——————–  Â
   From the time Jesus was arrested on Maundy Thursday evening until he died Friday afternoon, less than a day passed.  Jesus had shared a last meal with all of his disciples, and soon after was arrested.  From then on, he was no longer among friends.  In those hours of his greatest suffering, there
723) Jesus and the Soldiers Read More »
Above:Â From The Passion of the Christ, Â 2004 ————————- From The Passion Reconsidered, an article by Frank Turek posted April 12, 2009. Â Turek is coauthor of I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist. Â See more of his work at: Â CrossExamined.org. Â Â Â Nearly 45 years ago, medical doctor C. Truman Davis felt he
722) By His Wounds We Are Healed Read More »
   I am a descendent of immigrants.  Most Americans are.  The first generation of my ancestors in this country endured great hardship and suffering.  They left their homeland and families forever, they crossed the ocean in what would now be considered intolerable accommodations, and then entered an unfamiliar and frequently dangerous land.  Only then
721) Understanding Suffering Read More »
    (…continued)  I have been going to church conventions for over 30 years, and have heard many debates on resolutions in which well-meaning Lutherans have supported various causes in the name of peace and justice.  Some have wanted to support unjust regimes because at least they kept the peace, and some have wanted to
712) Peace and Justice and Pontius Pilate (b) Read More »
   Many Christians place a great emphasis on ‘Peace and Justice’ issues.  There are many churches in which you will hear more about peace and justice than about Jesus Christ.  To be concerned about these issues is certainly implied in the teachings of our Lord, who was called the ‘Prince of Peace,’ and who
711) Peace and Justice and Pontius Pilate (a) Read More »
by Alexander Griswold, 9-25-13 at:  www.juicyecumenism.com    The Constitution of Virginia bans the imposition of any religious tests on candidates for office.  In fact, Virginia was fairly ahead of the curve, as one of two states that banned religious tests before the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.  But many in the media world must
688) A Politically Inconvenient Truth Read More »
   (…continued)  This is one of those places where we wish the Bible would tell us just a little bit more of the story.  Mary and Joseph certainly knew from the circumstances of his birth that Jesus was to be someone very special, but they did not yet know all that would mean.  So
636) Was Jesus an Obedient Son? (part two) Read More »
