First Sunday after Christmas (Year 2, NL)

In Mark’s wilderness and in my city, life emerges in unexpected ways.

The four books open in very different settings. Together they offer a map for locating ourselves in the world.

I am struck by how Christ’s desert experience relies on inner convictions resisting an external voice.

Writing primarily for post-evangelicals, ethicist David Gushee examines 40 biblical texts.

God chooses to draw near—and to draw us out of ourselves.

For now, anyway. After our discernment together, I consider this a success.

Not just Advent

Does Jesus hide from the wild beasts? Hurl rocks at them? Mark doesn’t say.

The gospels don’t depict John as much of an organization builder.

And why would anyone baptize the dead?

As if he were working on an assembly line, John dips and raises, dips and raises.

It is noisy out there.

His followers realized there was no quick exit from the discomfort of his words.

There is a clear distinction between being comfortable and receiving comfort.

While struggling with this question as a church songwriter, I came up with six guidelines.

The translators hope that “the colonial language that was forced upon us can now serve our people in a good way.”