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

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

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

Asaph's Psalms: Exotic and Transgressive

August 12, 2013 | by The Hardest Question

by Russell Rathbun

Psalm Reading: Psalm 82

For Sunday, August 18, 2013—Lectionary 20

When I first came across Psalm 82 as a kid, I was shocked and titillated. God walks in and takes His place in the...

In russell rathbun, Super Friends, Old Testament, Aspah the Seer, Psalms, Psalm 82, Featured, Justice League, Aspah, Mount Olympus, Greek Mythology, YearC, Kind David

Sweet Talking God

June 24, 2013 | by The Hardest Question

by Russell Rathbun

Psalm Reading: Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20

For Sunday, June 30, 2013 —Ordinary 13

I have noticed that the Psalms are quite popular for use both in worship and personal devotional prayer...

In Hope, russell rathbun, Old Testament, suckiness, Psalms, sucky, sweet talk, enemies, Featured, plead, YearC, awesome, emotion

Nature’s Doxology

May 27, 2013 | by The Hardest Question

by Lauren F. Winner

Psalm Reading:  Psalm 96

For Sunday, June 2 , 2013: Year C—Lectionary 9 (4)

Of all the many wonderful songs our synagogue’s music director led on Sunday mornings, the tune by ...

In Psalm, Nature, Old Testament, William Brown, Leigh Schmidt, Psalms, praise, Lauren Winner, creation, Featured, spiritual-but-not-religious, YearC, doxology, Environment, Robert Weinberg, transcendental

Fruit Trees and Sea Monsters

December 23, 2012 | by The Hardest Question

by Russell Rathbun

Psalm Reading: Psalm 148

For Sunday, December 30, 2012—Christmas 1

I love the over the top feeling in this psalm. It seems like the writer is hyperventilating or tweaking or...

In russell rathbun, Old Testament, experience, do something, Psalms, praise, Featured, orgasm, exclamation point, YearC, psalm 148, exegete
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