Chapters 1-4 of 1 Corinthians are a unit where Paul takes aim at the divisiveness and fragmentation of the church. This discord was reflected in the alliances they had formed over different teachers. It was all quite competitive—and equally unhealthy. We tend to align ourselves with someone or something because it reflects our own likesContinue reading “Will God Reign in the Rain?”
Category Archives: Opening the Bible
I Marvel at the Wisdom of my God
There was no shortage of wisdom at Corinth! Their philosophers, poets, statesmen, and orators were brimming over with it. There was the wisdom of their gods. Corinth was a seaport and only fifty miles from Athens so like them, they would have had a god for every occasion and just to be safe—they probably also hadContinue reading “I Marvel at the Wisdom of my God”
A Kingdom Divided Against Itself
To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours. (1 Corinthians 1:2) Things had gotten sideways at Corinth. Not only had the disciples gone rogue in following different teachers, it appearsContinue reading “A Kingdom Divided Against Itself”
Rooting ourselves in community
It’s no secret to anyone who spends any time in 1 Corinthians that the disciples at Corinth were experiencing some serious problems due to their divisiveness. Paul points this out at the start (1:10ff) and returns to it frequently throughout the letter. It is one of the major themes of 1 Corinthians. I suppose thereContinue reading “Rooting ourselves in community”
Romans Review
Here’s an acrostic of Romans to remind us about some of the big things we learn from Paul’s letter. The R in Romans is for rich. Romans doesn’t teach us this, but it’s certainly something we learn from spending time in the book. It is one of the richest books in Scripture. What makes it that way? Continue reading “Romans Review”
Let’s Work Together
The disciples at Rome were having trouble accepting each other (15:7). From what Paul says in 14:1ff, it’s clear that their challenges arose not from the kinds of things we’re used to hearing about causing church divisions (doctrinal issues, personality problems, or squabbles about preachers)—but rather over matters that flowed from their different cultures. AsContinue reading “Let’s Work Together”
Leaving Childhood
Most of us are familiar with the quote above. I think it says at least a couple of important things. One is that it reminds us of the important role emotions play in remembering something. Odors and music may bring to mind where we were when we first smelled the aroma or heard the song,Continue reading “Leaving Childhood”
Hidden in Plain Sight
It’s the person looking for glasses that are perched atop their head or someone searching for keys that are still in the door. Paul tells us in Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” A familiar verse—so familiar that it contains somethingContinue reading “Hidden in Plain Sight”
Finishing with a Flourish
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be theContinue reading “Finishing with a Flourish”
Election and God’s Righteousness
Going from Romans 8 to Romans 9 is kind of like going from your favorite weather to your least favorite weather. It’s like going from your birthday to April 15 (unless April 15 is your birthday). It’s like going from a world of chocolate—to no chocolate, (Now I have your attention!). I think our mainContinue reading “Election and God’s Righteousness”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 