Apprentice 2 Jesus

Translations

  • Theology of Suffering

    In our world of pain avoidance, letters like 1 Peter are just odd to read. We are so much into “blessing” that we have missed the true nuance of “being blessed.” Blessedness is not the absence of pain, necessarily. We don’t go looking for pain. Yet, when pain comes, there is probably a message to… Read more

  • The End is Near!

    The Mayans aren’t the only ones saying this! It’s Peter as well: 7 The end of everything has come. Therefore, be self-controlled and clearheaded so you can pray. (1 Peter 4:7, CEB) See?!?! The end is near! Rather than induce panic, Peter gives a more calm approach to the end (as does Jesus in the… Read more

  • The Role of Suffering

    These are incredibly uncomfortable words: 1 Therefore, since Christ suffered as a human, you should also arm yourselves with his way of thinking. This is because whoever suffers is finished with sin. 2 As a result, they don’t live the rest of their human lives in ways determined by human desires but in ways determined… Read more

  • Where is God’s Chest?

    3 God’s lamp hadn’t gone out yet, and Samuel was lying down in the LORD’s temple, where God’s chest was. (1 Sam. 3:3, CEB) It just begs a lot of questions… and images my mind shouldn’t conjure up when it comes to God. I know “ark” may be archaic, but it HAS to be better… Read more

  • Self Promotion and Modesty

    8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, sympathetic, lovers of your fellow believers, compassionate, and modest in your opinion of yourselves. (1 Peter 3:8, CEB) The Common English Bible uses the language to stretch out the word “humble,” which is what other translations use. It’s a good call. I brush by “humble.” I… Read more

  • The Issue of Authority and Submission

    Peter spends quite a bit of time on authority and submission in his first letter. He addresses slaves, wives and husbands. Slaves are called on to submit to the authority of their masters. It is in this context that we get a beautiful passage on Jesus enduring suffering for our sakes. He did so entrusting… Read more

  • God’s Slaves

    In 1 Peter 2 there is a strong admonition to live honorably, and that includes submission to human institutions. Peter then goes on to talk about submission to the emperor. (They didn’t get to “elect” the emperor, either.) Peter’s basis for appealing to Christian’s for submission to human institutions is this: “Do this as God’s… Read more

  • Immigrants and Strangers

    As James K.A. Smith would say in his book, Desiring the Kingdom, everything calls for allegiance. All of life has liturgies all around. Which liturgy will call out for our allegiance and we will respond? We are in the thick of political season in the U.S. Let’s face it, as long as there is a… Read more

  • Strengthening Our Resolve

    In case you haven’t heard, we’ve reached the end of the world. I find it interesting there is far more interest in the Mayan calendar and how it might be right, while we readily dismiss Christians who regularly predict the end of the world. So, the end is upon us. Unless, of course, it’s not.… Read more

  • Latest News on the Common English Bible

    The Common English Bible seems to keep rolling along. “There’s a reason the Common English Bible is receiving such a positive and popular reception,” says Paul Franklin, PhD, associate publisher. “It’s probably the most literal Bible translation, built on common ground with academic rigor and denomination neutrality, which clearly communicates ancient sacred text in understandable… Read more