Justice? Vengeance?

By Nanette Sawyer

Epistle Reading: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17

For Sunday, Nov 10, 2013:  Year C—Lectionary 32

One of the reasons a text like this one is so off-putting is because of how truth has...

In violence, justice, new testament, apocalypse, 2 Thessalonians, nanette sawyer, revenge, enemies

Elijah, Murderer

By Nanette Sawyer

Old Testament Reading: 1 Kings 19:1-4, (5-7), 8-15a

For Sunday, June 23, 2013:  Year C—Ordinary 12

When we get right down to it, Elijah is a murderer, and we need to think long and...

In violence, Loyalty, nanette sawyer, retaliation, honor, Featured, kingship, 1 Kings, Baal, YearC, Elijah, Jezebel

Surface, Depth and History

By Debbie Blue

New Testament Reading: Act 9: 1-6 (7-20)

For Sunday, April 4, 2013: Year C—Easter 3

It's Influential Man Sunday, with Peter and Paul as the focal characters.

The texts for today could...

In Uncategorized, violence, new testament, mythic trope, Debbie Blue, righteousness, drama, Featured, YearC, vision, Acts, Pauline, empire, Judaism

Our Brother Gamaliel

by Mark Stenberg

New Testament Reading: Acts 5: 27-32

For Sunday, April 7, 2013: Year C—Easter 2

In this week’s episode of the Revised Common Lectionary, Peter and the increasingly emboldened...

In violence, new testament, peter, Sanhedrin, Mark Stenberg, gargamel, Featured, Gamaliel, YearC, smurfs, Acts

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

Getting Out of Egypt

It’s hard to shed the traces of tyranny

By Debbie Blue

Old Testament Reading: Exodus 32: 1-14

For Sunday, October 9, 2011: Year A—Ordinary 28

I can’t really blame the people for enjoying the golden...

In violence, calf, Old Testament, Passion, Blundering, relationship, Debbie Blue, intimacy, Tyrants, Exodus, lovers, Featured, Statues, Moses, YearA, Rigidity

Conquer, Clone or Kill

Is Jesus giving us permission to convert at all cost?

by Michael Danner

Gospel Reading: Matthew 28:16-20

For Sunday, June 19, 2011; Year AThe Holy Trinity

The resurrected Jesus is leaving and his...

In violence, Hospitality, new testament, Michael Danner, Jesus, evangelism, disciple, Great Commission, Featured, power, convert, YearA, Matthew

Stephen the Martyr

Do we know a martyr when we see one?

by Tripp Hudgins

New Testament Reading:  Acts 7:55-60  

For Sunday, May 22, 2011:  Year A - Easter 5

Mr. Spock, in the second of the Star Trek films sacrifices...

In violence, new testament, hero, Kirk, martyr, Spock, Star Trek, Featured, YearA, Stephen, Tripp Hudgins, Acts, Dietrich Bonhoeffer

A Way Without Violence

Does redeeming the violence of God in the text take precedence over all other interpretive proclamation?

by Russell Rathbun

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 35:1-10

For Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010: Year A -...

In Advent, violence, Hope, russell rathbun, Old Testament, James Alison, Isaiah, Rene Girard, Featured, YearA, joy, vengence

Can We Just Keep The Nice Bits?

Welcome to Psalm 149 – the one that might turn you into a Marcionite

by Nadia Bolz-Weber

Psalm Reading: Psalm 149

For Sunday, November 7, 2010 Year C - All Saints

You gotta love a party psalm....

In violence, God, peter, Old Testament, Psalms, Jesus, nadia bolz-weber, mother teresa, Featured, pathos, YearC