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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 heed. We don’t need to…
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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 Olivet Discourse). It’s not scary.…
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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 by God’s will. (1 Peter…
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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 than “chest.”
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Hitler is a Real Tebow Hater!
Tebow just makes EVERYONE mad!
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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 am struck by the phrase,…
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Blue Chips and Junk Bonds
David Brooks is one of my favorite columnists. This column discusses politics, but it reminds me of a conversation I had regarding ministry as well. Brooks’s contention is that liberals have allowed short term gains to cloud their vision for long term good. The conversation I had regarding churches and ministry was much the same. American churches are investing in…
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Urban Life
We have wild turkeys in our neighborhood. Today they were stalling traffic as two males were showing off for one female. Ah, life in the city.
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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 slaves.” (I Pet. 1:16, CEB)…
