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The Hardest Question

Walk Into the Text

December 30, 2013 | by The Hardest Question

When the Rabbi’s read they walk into the text. They bring themselves to it and step across the edge of the scroll, jump up onto its body, bouncing a little, believing it will hold their weight. And...

In Uncategorized, new testament, russell rathbun, Numbers, 2 Thessalonians, oral tradition, Old Testament, 2 Kings, Wisdom, the hardest question, 2 Corinthians, 1 Corinthians, question the text, Colossians, Psalms, Ephesians, Rabbi, Hosea, 1 Timothy, Leviticus, torah, Isaiah, Exodus, Romans, midrash, Malachi, questions, Featured, 1 John, 1 Thessalonians, Hebrews, John, 1 Samuel, Philemon, 1 Peter, Philippians, 1 Kings, Jonah, Joel, 2 Timothy, James, Deuteronomy, Ruth, YearC, YearB, Mark, YearA, 2 Samuel, Revelation, Luke, Micah, Talmud, Job, Jeremiah, Amos, Acts, Matthew, Genesis, Proverbs, Galatians

Seas between us Broad have Roared

December 30, 2013 | by The Hardest Question

THQ has entered a state of suspended (as in no new posts) animation (as in what been archived is still quite lively!)

I must admit, perched on the cusp of a new year as I am in this moment, that my...

In Sparkhouse, russell rathbun, seminarium, Mike Stavlund, Lia Scholl, phyllis tickle, Roy Terry, nanette sawyer, Michael Danner, Fortress Press, the hardest question, Clint Schnekloth, question the text, will willimon, Debbie Blue, Mark Stenberg, nadia bolz-weber, Lauren Winner, revised common lectionary, THQ, midrash, Unvirtuous Abbey, Featured, Danielle Shroyer, Bruce-Reyes Chow, animate, Mark Labberton, re:form, RCL, Mark Scandrette, seminariumblog

Not Ready for the Darkness

December 23, 2013 | by The Hardest Question

by Russell Rathbun

Gospel Reading: Matthew 2:13-23

For Sunday, December 29, 2013—Year A: Christmas 1

This is a weird scripture to read a few days after Christmas, it is appropriate in that it deals...

In new testament, russell rathbun, question the text, evil, Wise Men, creche, goodness, love wins, YearA, Herod, Matthew

Having Epistle for Christmas?

December 23, 2013 | by The Hardest Question

by Russell Rathbun

Epistle Reading: Hebrews 2:10-18

For Sunday, December 29, 2013—Year A: Christmas 1

Going head-to-head with la sacra famiglia escaping to Egypt at the behest of an angel? This...

In Martin Luther, new testament, russell rathbun, salvation, question the text, grace, antlegomena, Featured, Hebrews, pioneer, YearA, holy family

Lament and Christmas

December 16, 2013 | by The Hardest Question

by Lauren F. Winner

Psalm Reading: Psalm 80:1-7

For Sunday, December 22, 2013: Year A—Advent 4

We are nearing Christmas, and we are given to pray, as a community, a psalm of lament.

I feel I...

In Christmas, Juliana Claassens, Old Testament, Psalms, Lament, Lauren Winner, Featured, incarnation, YearA, tears

Joseph Models the Embrace of a Child Who is Radically Unlike Him

December 16, 2013 | by The Hardest Question

by Lauren F. Winner

Gospel Reading: Matthew 1:18-25

For Sunday, December 22, 2013: Year A—Advent 4

My colleague Stanley Hauerwas is always saying something like “if you want to learn how to welcome...

In Advent, children, Hospitality, new testament, Andrew Solomon, Lauren Winner, Joseph, Featured, incarnation, Far from the Tree, YearA, transgender, welcome, Matthew, Down Syndrome, stranger

Church as Medium

December 9, 2013 | by The Hardest Question

by Unvirtuous Abbey

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 35:1–10

For Sunday, December 15, 2013—Advent 3

“Tell your sister...you were right.” ~ Anakin Skywalker, Return of the Jedi

“This is very cruel,...

In Old Testament, path, medium, start up, World Wide Communion Sunday, Isaiah, redemption, Unvirtuous Abbey, Featured, exile, YearA

Mixed Messages

December 9, 2013 | by The Hardest Question

by Unvirtuous Abbey

Gospel Reading: Luke 1:46b–55 [Alternative]

For Sunday, December 15, 2013—Advent 3

Given the glitches in our technology, such as sending texts to the wrong person, I can’t help...

In new testament, virgin, hurricane, rape, virgin birth, Unvirtuous Abbey, Featured, YearA, Luke, Philippines, angel

In Search of an Oppressor

December 2, 2013 | by The Hardest Question

by Mike Stavlund

Psalm Reading: Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19

For Sunday, December 8, 2013: Year C—Advent 2

It seems one of the growing subtexts of the Christmas season is the self-perception of the...

In Advent, Mike Stavlund, Old Testament, Psalms, hoarding, oppression, persecution, YearA, oppressor, middle class

Merry Christmas?

December 2, 2013 | by The Hardest Question

by Mike Stavlund

Gospel Reading: Matthew 3:1-12

For Sunday, December 8, 2013: Year C—Advent 2

Most of us wouldn’t let J to the B into our sanctuaries, that’s for sure. He is more than a little...

In Advent, new testament, Mike Stavlund, revolution, YearA, vipers, john the baptist, Matthew, waiting

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