Do you pray?
I really want to know. One of the edges that we seem to be treading right now - our staff, our leaders, our congregation - has to do with this question: how do modern people [...]
Cage match: Pilate vs. Jesus
What has power over you? This week, I’m back from a weeklong clergy renewal retreat in Arizona called CREDO. Although I had joked with our interns and staff that I was going to “Clergy Spa” [...]
Teach us to pray…
An early entry this week - for those tuning in. I am off this week, starting Monday, at a CREDO retreat in Arizona. From what I can tell, it's sort of "clergy spa" - a [...]
The Myth of Sisyphus
This week, we explore the world of Ruth – one of the most refreshing, astonishing and pleasant books found in the scriptures, in my humble opinion. I suggest you read the whole book – just [...]
Bonhoeffer at the Gallows
This Sunday’s lectionary text, John 11:32-44 is about one of the two certainties of which Ben Franklin spoke: death (The other being...taxes of course). It fits well with the liturgical order of the day, which [...]
The Ungenerous Life?
This is a very very quick entry - appropriate, inasmuch as I am not the one preaching on Sunday. My colleague Dana Fearon is taking the pulpit - and I am left anticipating - looking [...]
Your Money or Your Life
This week's scripture texts really represent a tee-shot for stewardship season, the text from Mark especially - the story of the Rich Young Ruler, who is asked by Jesus to give it all away. Most [...]
What did Jesus really say about divorce?
There are times when I want to say to the lectionary committee: thanks a lot.(Note: The lectionary, in case you're not up with the church lingo, is the set of Bible passages that are prescribed [...]
Falling Into an Outhouse
During a round of golf, here's what you say when you make a particularly bad and embarrassing shot that nevertheless ends up in wonderful spot: "falling into an outhouse and coming up with ice cream."Crass. [...]
Repentance: getting a clear view
Last week's sermon spurred several responses. I'll mention one here. One member shared with me having had a marital spat the night before - which had been weighing heavily that morning, and about which he [...]
Repentance: The Theology of Apology
This Sunday, I begin a new series called "Repentance: The Theology of Apology". I invite you to prepare, along with me, to hear and discern God's Word!Some Information about this three-part series, beginning September 13 [...]
Heroditus vs. Thucydides? The Melian Debate
In today's sermon, entitled "The Melian Debate," I am posing two differing ways of thinking about history - and I might add, different understandings of international and political relations among human beings. Today's sermon offers [...]
Bentham vs. the Bible: Can We Use Scripture to Justify Torture?
The sermon that I gave this morning deals with the question, Is it right that our society self-consciously and self avowedly employs the method of torture in the effort to keep us safe?Without repeating the [...]
What does the Bible say about immigration?
For you folk who want to cut to the chase, here's the question for this week: Does the gospel (and the scriptures in general) speak to how we ought to treat the stranger in our [...]
Did Jesus Come to Destroy Human Religion?
Friends! Jeff V. here. I see it's been a long time since an entry has appeared in this space. Blogging is harder to do (especially as a collective enterprise) than I'd thought. I will continue [...]
We Wish You a Meaningful Christmas
Perhaps lighter, simpler fare this week. No big theological stuff. Stories! Provided by...YOU! Jeff here again, doing blog duty. Next week - Mary Alice...you tuning in?Here's the question for the week: how are YOU making meaning [...]
What would you do if Mary and Joseph arrived at your door?
We all know the story. Mary and Joseph arrive in Bethlehem. No room in the inn. A stable is all they can find for their nightly digs.We might picture the typical first-century travel experience as [...]
How do we live as Advent People?
Black Friday was indeed a black day. There were incidents throughout the country of death and violence connected to the door buster sales offered. There was the 34-year-old man who was trampled to death when [...]