Scripture
April 20, Easter 1C (Isaiah 65:17-25; Luke 24:1-12)
As the women prepared the oil and spices, I think they must have told stories.
April 18, Good Friday (John 18:1-19:42)
Good Friday is an annual reminder to ask who is crucified in our midst to distract from the crimes of those in power.
A weathered stone (Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29; Psalm 31:9-16)
Perhaps the psalmist is referring to limestone, important to ancient civilizations for construction and also as an agricultural and dietary aid.
April 17, Maundy Thursday (John 13:1-17, 31b-35)
We need to find a way to wash each other’s feet, even when waging war feels better.
April 13, Palm Sunday C (Luke 19:28-40)
When we cannot praise, the rest of creation carries the song.
April 13, Passion C (Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 31:9-16; Luke 23:1-49)
What do we do with our powerlessness?
We are dreamers (Psalm 126)
Dreams inhabit untamed psychological, emotional, and spiritual terrain.
April 6, Lent 5C (John 12:1-8)
What is it like to be at the table with the resurrected?
Contrition in its many forms (Psalm 32; Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32)
The prodigal’s return looks more like a strategy than a wholehearted conversion.
A Hebrew scholar rekindles her love for classic Bible stories
Julie Faith Parker reads the Bible without guilt or shame, leading readers toward a healthier way of relating to scripture.
March 30, Lent 4c (Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32)
There is no resolution to the prodigal son story, only the resonance of the father’s words.
Come to the table (Isaiah 55:1-9)
Isaiah comes to the rescue with a word of the Lord.
Jesus the fallible
Why would we want a higher doctrine of scripture than we have of Jesus?
March 23, Lent 3C (Luke 13:1-9)
Who can resist the gardener’s advice to dig around deeply and replenish the soil?
Heavenly minded (Philippians 3:17–4:1)
Our prevailing practical wisdom to focus on the here and now cuts sharply against the grain of Paul’s advice.
The certainty summit
In 1978, a who’s who of conservative evangelical leaders met in Chicago to draft a statement on biblical inerrancy. It would change the course of church and state.
March 16, Lent 2C (Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 13:31-35)
We live with a clear-eyed hope that refuses to squint in the face of suffering.
Responsible words (Romans 10:8b-13)
The Living Word resides not only in our hearts but in our mouths as well.
Progressive Christians should read the Bible
It’s a rich, multivocal library. And we can’t afford to be ignorant of a book that’s being weaponized against vulnerable people.
Repenting with broken hearts (Psalm 51)
For many, repent is a hurt-filled word. That’s a shame, because we need it more than ever.