Leather Swords and Lacy Handbags

by Nadia Bolz-Weber

Epistle Reading: Hebrews 4:12-16

For Sunday, October 14, 2012 Year B—Ordinary 28

Lutherans don’t show up to church carrying their Bibles. At first I thought this was weird because...

In Bible, violence, new testament, sword, nadia bolz-weber, Featured, Hebrews, Weapon, YearB, word

Inheriting Eternal Life

by Nadia Bolz-Weber

Gospel Reading: Mark 10:17-31

For Sunday, October 14, 2012 Year B—Ordinary 28

What must I do to inherit eternal life? asks the rich man.

This text always makes me roll my eyes a...

In new testament, progressive, possessions, rich, inherit, nadia bolz-weber, daily bread, Featured, conservative, YearB, Mark, Kingdom of God, eternal life

Jesus Questions the Text

by Russell Rathbun

Gospel Reading:  Mark 10:2-16

For Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012—Ordinary 27

When we started this blog, we set out with a clear resolve to take seriously the questions that came up as we...

In new testament, lectionary, russell rathbun, Jesus, question, law, stone, divorce, midrash, Featured, Moses, YearB, Mark

Oh Look, Power Grabbing Again

by Danielle Shroyer

Gospel Reading:  Mark 9:38-50

For Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012: Year B—Ordinary 26

“John said to him, ‘Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him,...

In race, new testament, inclusiveness, Gender, Featured, Danielle Shroyer, disciples, Mark, sexual preference

If This is a Pep Talk, I Give It an “F”

by Danielle Shroyer

Epistle Reading:  James 5:13-20

For Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012: Year B—Ordinary 26

I don’t have any concrete evidence on this, but I think this passage may be in the running to win a...

In prayer, new testament, healing, wisdom, Featured, Danielle Shroyer, save, James, YearB, Elijah

Children in the Center of the Assembly

by Clint Schnekloth

Gospel Reading:  Mark 9:30-37

For Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012: Year B - Ordinary 25

Chapter nine of Mark sits right at the center of the gospel. Since Mark is structured chiastically...

In children, new testament, Clint Schnekloth, Featured, Chiasm, YearB, Mark, fake, children’s sermon, welcome

Real World: Galilee

by Mike Baughman

Epistle Reading:  Mark 8:27-38

For Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012: Year B—Ordinary 24

Chances are at some point in your life, you found yourself sucked into an episode or two of The Real World

In new testament, peter, Real World, Jesus, Featured, YearB, Mark, Mike Baughman, reality TV, Satan, Justin Bieber

Brains, Reins and a Tiller

by Mike Baughman

Epistle Reading: James 3:1-12

For Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012: Year B—Ordinary 24

In this week’s lectionary text on leadership and tongues, the potential significance of the small and...

In new testament, leadership, james, tongue, rudder, snaffle, Featured, James, YearB, Mike Baughman

Jesus Getting Caught with His Compassion Down

by Carl Gregg

Gospel Reading: Mark 7:24-37

For Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012: Year B — Ordinary 23

Letty Russell, in Church in the Round, described Jesus’ encounter with the Syrophoenician woman as the case...

In compassion, new testament, neighbor, salvation, human, evolution, Featured, Carl Gregg, YearB, Mark, syrophoenician

Is The Book of James Proto-Marxist?

by Carl Gregg

Epistle Reading:  James 2:1-14

For Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012: Year B — Ordinary 23

Martin Luther dismissively called The Book of James a “right strawy epistle.” Luther wanted to base the...

In reformation, faith, new testament, Luther, salvation, james, Featured, Carl Gregg, sola scriptura, James, YearB, Marx, Works