| Old Testament

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

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

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

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

Our Filthy Metaphors

October 28, 2013 | by The Hardest Question

by Carol Howard Merritt

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 1:10-18

For Sunday, Novemeber 3, 2013: Year C —Lectionary 31

I sat in a circle of clergywomen, and once we realized that the space was safe with...

In Creativity, barrenness, Old Testament, metaphor, Isaiah, Ada María Isasi-Díaz, fertility, George R. R. Martin, Featured, menustration, birth control, mujuerista, mensus, feminism, YearC, carol howard merritt

Almost for All People

October 20, 2013 | by The Hardest Question

by Roy M. Terry IV

Old Testament Reading: Joel 2:23-32

For Sunday, October 27, 2013: Year C—Lectionary 30

For being such a small book Joel packs a punch in the Liturgical calendar. Not only do we...

In Ash Wednesday, Old Testament, minor prophet, Featured, Joel, litugical calendar, YearC, Roy Terry IV, eschatological

Jacob Fights Back

October 13, 2013 | by The Hardest Question

by Lia Scholl

Old Testament Reading: Genesis 32:22–31

For Sunday, October 20, 2013: Year C—Lectionary 29

It was just after the Cold War, and those kitschy Gorbachev forehead fake tattoos were for...

In Lia Scholl, Old Testament, control, wrestle, Jacob, fight, Gorbachev, Featured, blessing, angel of the Lord, YearC, Genesis, Peniel

Fear Doesn’t Mean Fear, Right?

October 7, 2013 | by The Hardest Question

by Russell Rathbun

Psalm Reading: Psalm 111

For Sunday, October 13, 2013—Lectionary 28

I don’t think liberals praise the Lord enough. I don’t mean to alienate anyone or divide folks into camps. I am...

In russell rathbun, fear of the Lord, Old Testament, liberal, Psalms, praise, Featured, conservative, translation, YearC, evangelical

An Archetypal Prayer of Penance...

September 8, 2013 | by The Hardest Question

by Lauren F. Winner

Psalm Reading: Psalm 51

For Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013: Year C—Lectionary 24

“My mistakes are always before my eyes” reads Pamela Greenberg’s translation. “I am deeply conscious of my...

In Psalm, Old Testament, Barbara Brown Taylor, Psalm 51, Psalms, Lauren Winner, Sin, Featured, YearC, penitence, intuition

God as Master Baker

August 26, 2013 | by The Hardest Question

by Lauren F. Winner

Psalm Reading: Psalm 81

For Sunday, Sept. 1, 2013: Year C—Lectionary 22

God as farmer, and grocer, and master baker all at once: Psalm 81 shows us god feeding us, providing food...

In Sparkhouse, Old Testament, food, Psalms, mother, Lauren Winner, Exodus, animate, quail, YearC, privilege, manna

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