Romans

This week’s readings are generally about the faithful. Deuteronomy describes God’s faithful care of a “wandering Aramean” or “Syrian about to perish”—most likely Jacob. The psalm echoes God’s faithful care of God’s own, safely abiding in the shadow of the Almighty. Paul reminds the Romans how uncomplicated it is to come by salvation: it only takes faithful hearts and faithful speech. And we see Jesus’ profound faithfulness as he survives the devil’s temptations in the wilderness.

Preaching these texts looks easy enough, maybe even uninspiring. It doesn’t get much more basic than faith.

Where Moses reassured his listeners with the word when, the devil tempts Jesus with the word if.

Gangs excel at finding the lost, adopting them and sending them out. Therefore, gang youth can be recruited for apostolic ministry.

Gangs excel at finding the lost, adopting them and sending them out. Therefore, gang youth can be recruited for apostolic ministry.

Gangs excel at finding the lost, adopting them and sending them out. Therefore, gang youth can be recruited for apostolic ministry.

Recently, a friend and I were talking about how disturbed and saddened we’ve been by the hateful and decidedly unchristian words spoken by self-proclaimed Christian leaders in recent years. The examples are too numerous to cite, and each has its own agenda of hatred and division. I complained that it was so deeply unfair that such intolerant and offensive perspectives were being allowed to speak for me and all other Christians.

My friend offered a profound and simple response: “Chris, they only speak for you if you don’t speak for yourself.”

Air travel—perhaps paradoxically—tutors us in patience, a practice in short supply in today's world.

Air travel—perhaps paradoxically—tutors us in patience, a practice in short supply in today's world.

Air travel—perhaps paradoxically—tutors us in patience, a practice in short supply in today's world.

Dhini didn’t ask to be adopted. That's the way grace works.

Dhini didn’t ask to be adopted. That's the way grace works.

Dhini didn’t ask to be adopted. That's the way grace works.

Dhini didn’t ask to be adopted. That's the way grace works.

God's "consuming fire" is the fire of holy love. It doesn't await sinners in the future; it burns up sin itself.

I am confident that the new creation will include animals. I hope that it will include Merle, my deceased smooth-coat collie.

These Trinity Sunday texts show God moving graciously—and persistently—toward people while they struggle to stay on their feet.

While Christian scholars have long questioned body-soul dualism, it remains common in church circles. This may finally be changing.

While Christian scholars have long questioned body-soul dualism, it remains common in church circles. This may finally be changing.

Reconciliation requires relocation. To see the effects of our food choices, we have to get close to the land.