Chris Blumhofer

Chris Blumhofer is a doctoral student in New Testament at Duke University and a candidate for ordination in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Articles by Chris Blumhofer

Blogging Toward Sunday

Who is my family?

Mark 3:20–35

Jun 04, 2012 by Chris Blumhofer

In Jesus’ day—as in ours--redefining the family is a provocative act with far-reaching social, political, moral and spiritual implications. If we were to isolate Jesus in Mark 3 from the moments in the other gospels in which Jesus interacts with his family, we might conclude this story with George Aichele’s sharply worded assertion, “Mark’s Jesus is no supporter of family values!”

Blogging Toward Sunday

God's reorienting presence

Isaiah 6:1–8; Romans 8:12–17; John 3:1–17

May 29, 2012 by Chris Blumhofer

Ed’s Story is the title of a new series of short films documenting the life of Ed Dobson. The films capture the story of a man with a terminal illness who is coming to grips with his faith, his identity and his lack of control.

In his prime, Dobson was the senior minister of a thriving congregation in Grand Rapids, where he preached to more than a thousand people each week.

Living by the Word

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Mark 3:20–35

May 29, 2012 by Chris Blumhofer
I worship in a congregation whose members sometimes hesitate before responding to scripture readings with “Thanks be to God!” On one Sunday, after hearing Jesus’ parable of the sheep and the goats and the strong words of warning at the end of that parable, they were so restrained that the liturgist looked up from his Bible and remarked, “You’re not so sure about that, are you?”
Living by the Word

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Isaiah 6:1–8; Romans 8:12–17; John 3:1–17

May 22, 2012 by Chris Blumhofer

Shortly after my daughter was born last summer, a friend gave my wife and me a bit of unsolicited wisdom: “God gives us children to remind us that we are not in control.” Sage advice, to be sure.