It’s not uncommon (wherever you are) to hear someone say, “We need more teaching and preaching on first principles.” That may or may not be true—it depends upon the particular situation and circumstances they’re part of. I’m much more interested in exploring what we mean by the phrase “first principles.” My guess is that inContinue reading “First Principles”
Category Archives: Opening the Bible
Fearing Wrong and Trusting Right
Fearfulness is an overarching theme of Luke 12:1-34. Although the words of Jesus range from encouraging His disciples to remain strong in the face of persecution, a story about a foolish farmer, to teaching His disciples to be kingdom seekers above all else—the common thread is fearfulness. “Fear,” “afraid,” and “worry” occur 11 times inContinue reading “Fearing Wrong and Trusting Right”
Facing the Improbable
Luke does a compare/contrast with Zechariah and Mary in the first chapter of his gospel. Both love and serve God, are visited by the angel Gabriel, and are about to have unexpected sons who will alter the course of Israel and the world. Finally, both appear to have similar responses to the astounding news aboutContinue reading “Facing the Improbable”
Fabulously Clean and Invitingly Empty
These days, an empty stadium or ballpark is the norm. But before Covid, back in 2015, the Baltimore Orioles and the Chicago White Sox played a game in Baltimore in an empty stadium. The Orioles announced that due to the unrest and violence in the city, the game between the two teams would take placeContinue reading “Fabulously Clean and Invitingly Empty”
Dinner for 13
With less than twenty-four hours remaining in His life, Jesus is holding a meeting with His twelve apostles in an upper room. Though He has little if anything in terms of worldly possessions, He nonetheless has a strong desire to leave them with something to remember Him by (Luke 22:14). As you might expect withContinue reading “Dinner for 13”
Bubbles and Hazmat Suits
It’s been several years, but I remember a youth minister informing to me that he and his wife weren’t going to watch anything other than PG-13 movies. He said that way he could tell young people not to watch R-rated movies and be consistent. I told him I appreciated his concern for both himself andContinue reading “Bubbles and Hazmat Suits”
A Great Place To Be
Beverly Gaventa notes how “prayerful thanksgiving dominates 1 Thessalonians.” Paul pauses three times in the first three chapters to give thanks (1:2, 2:13, 3:9). At the end of the letter, he encourages the disciples to “give thanks in all circumstances” (5:18). In all of this, he’s not simply repeating himself nor is he trying toContinue reading “A Great Place To Be”
Why Did God Create Man?
God created man to bless him—fully, richly and deeply! In the creation account we hear words like blessed, fruitful, fill, subdue, rule over and I give all made in reference to him (Genesis 1:28-29). The highest expression of his favor lies in the fact that he is made to be an image-bearer of the Trinity (v. 27). Man may choose something less forContinue reading “Why Did God Create Man?”
When God Shows His Colors
The story of Noah begins the second cycle of the Genesis narrative (Brueggemann). In the first cycle, we see the creation of the world followed by rebellion—first through Adam and Eve, then by Cain, and finally Lamech (4:19ff). In the second cycle, we see rebellion (6:5ff) followed by re-creation, as God destroys the world inContinue reading “When God Shows His Colors”
What Happened in the Garden?
It’s easy to look at Adam and Eve eating the fruit from the tree and think, “What’s the big deal? Their curiosity got the best of them and they messed up. That’s no reason to bring down the universe, is it? Who did they hurt? What was it about eating some fruit that justified theContinue reading “What Happened in the Garden?”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 