Reading the Text Abundantly or Protectively

What is the difference?

by Russell Rathbun

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 25:14-30

For Sunday, Nov. 13 , 2011: Year A—Ordinary 33

Jesus never comes right out and says “The Kingdom of Heaven is…” He says...

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The Burden of Context

Are there some texts that are so divorced from our context that they should not be preached?

by Russell Rathbun

Epistle Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-20

For Sunday, Oct.30 , 2011: Year A—Ordinary 31

...

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The Yoke of the Law

What burden is it that the Pharisees refuse to lift a finger to move?

by Russell Rathbun

Gospel Reading: Matthew 23:1-12

For Sunday, Oct.30 , 2011: Year A—Ordinary 31

Things are about to get ugly,...

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The Empire Cannot Love You

What belongs to Caesar?

by Russell Rathbun

Gospel Reading: Matthew 22:15-22

For Sunday, Oct.16 , 2011: Year A—Ordinary 29

In the first chapter of Genesis, the Torah teaches that God made Adam, and...

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The Backside of God’s Glory

What does it mean to see God’s back?

by Russell Rathbun

Old Testament Reading:  Exodus 33:12-23

For Sunday, Oct.16 , 2011: Year A—Ordinary 29

It seems like God and Moses have realized their grand...

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What Good Does This Parable Do?

Where do we find the Good News here?

 by Russell Rathbun

Gospel Reading: Matthew 21:33-46

For Sunday, October 2, 2011: Year A-Ordinary 27

Matthew is on a rampage, or Matthew’s Jesus is on a rampage....

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The Unmediated Voice of God

God's Law:  Unmediated vs. Mediated

 by Russell Rathbun

Psalm Reading: Psalm 19

For Sunday, October 2, 2011: Year A-Ordinary 27

The night whispers knowledge, the testimony of the Lord is perfect, and...

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That’s Not Fair!

Does Jesus want to undermine Capitalism?

by Russell Rathbun

Gospel Reading: Matthew 20:1-16

For Sunday, Sept. 18 , 2011: Year A—Ordinary 25

There are a lot of gaps in this text, blanks in the...

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Hungry and Free

Is it better to die . . .?

by Russell Rathbun

Old Testament Reading: Exodus 16:2-15

For Sunday, Sept. 18 , 2011: Year A—Ordinary 25

Not included in the most commonly known stories of the deliverance...

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Debt Crisis

Loving one another is a call out of the system of the empire.

by Russell Rathbun

Epistle Reading: Romans 13:8-14

For Sunday, Sept. 4 , 2011: Year A—Ordinary 23

When it comes to the neighbor, love...

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