You may have noticed that the readings for Pentecost 9 through 12 sounded a little different. That’s because The Message translation was used instead the more frequently used English Standard Version translation of the Bible. There is much debate about the “correct” or “appropriate” translation to use when reading the Scriptures. What follows is a … Read More “Bible Translations” »
At the core, a moral is intended to answer the question, “What should I/we do?” More specifically, “What is the right thing to do, say, believe, think or feel, at any given moment?” We become painfully aware of moral failure when we are informed by others that we have failed to support them in a … Read More “Christmas In July” »
The mighty tree. A symbol of the power and beauty of creation, proud surveyor of the natural world and a beacon of hope standing tall above manmade structures. But what is the tree without its roots? Christians have spent millennia contemplating the “fruit” of trees as a metaphor for spiritual health and expression. We have … Read More “Arboreal Theology” »
The Good Samaritan is renowned for his righteous and self-less behavior toward the man on the side of the road. Martha was condemned by Jesus for “trying to do the right thing.” Mary was praised for “doing nothing.” What’s the deal? These are important theological lessons and should be reflected upon at length. A few … Read More “Martha’s Lesson” »
I’ll just say it: I’m a Lutheran Pastor and I was raised Pentecostal… Honestly, I use to tell my Lutheran friends just to see how they’d respond. What I discovered quickly was that they didn’t respond! They didn’t care. They knew I was different. And they knew I wasn’t like them, at least initially. I … Read More “Ponderings of a Pentecostal” »