Authors /
Malinda Elizabeth Berry
Malinda Elizabeth Berry is assistant professor of theology and ethics at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary.
New Testament wisdom literature (Ephesians 3:14–21)
Ephesians makes a case for theological reflection on the mysteries of life.
July 27, 2018
Who is my shepherd? (Psalm 23)
It took me decades to realize Psalm 23 isn’t exactly about Jesus.
July 20, 2018
July 29, Ordinary 17B (John 6:1-21)
At that deserted spot on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus could've used a grocery store.
June 26, 2018
July 22, Ordinary 16B (Mark 6:30-34, 53-56)
The apostles are on fire in this Gospel passage. I don't always get along with people like that.
June 19, 2018
The feminine and the land
Theologies of entitlement, enslaving, and extinguishing indigenous communities have shaped policy since the 15th century.
October 3, 2016
Heart songs of Lent
I'm a bit of a congregational song nerd, and the church music folks I know talk about things like "sound pools" and "heart songs."
Sound pools are what Mennonite musician, teacher, and hymnologist Mary Oyer and her students (who became my teachers) describe as the body of music that a culture or community shares.
February 18, 2016
Listening with my heart
This Sunday's passage from Paul's letter to the Christians in Rome seems to be an example of Year C's theological focus on those who are living in a state of alienation from Jesus Christ and the church. Yet when I think about rebuilding the bridges of love, trust, and belonging in contemporary Christian community, Paul isn't the first person who comes to mind.
February 11, 2016
Mixed feelings about ashes
The lectionary readings for Ash Wednesday are the same each year. So it almost doesn’t feel like Ash Wednesday if I go through the day without hearing Psalm 51: “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.”
February 8, 2016
February 21, Second Sunday in Lent: Luke 13:31-35
In December, we lost the last hen in our household flock after a possum attack. Since then, I have heard Jesus’ avian simile in Luke 13:34 differently.
February 2, 2016
February 14, First Sunday in Lent: Luke 4:1-13
As Luke tells the story, even though Jesus doesn’t turn stones to bread, he feeds those who hunger. And even though he says no when Satan offers him political power, a vision of God’s all-encompassing reign of shalom is at the heart of Jesus’ ministry.
January 26, 2016
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February 10, Ash Wednesday: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
How on earth do we balance the quietness of our hearts with a public call to repentance?
January 21, 2016