The “alleylon” (one another) passages in the New Testament, Part 2b: Phil. 2:3 – In humility esteem one another as surpassing yourselves. Today – Friday March 30 – the great majority of Christians in the world reflect on the events of the first of the three most important days in history, the three days encompassing Jesus’...... Read More

The “alleylon” (one another) passages in the New Testament, Part 2a: The Elusive Virtue of Humility (Rom 12:10, Phil. 2:3) Humility must be one of the most important characteristics of the Christian life. How do I know? Because Scripture mentions it dozens and dozens of times; because it is a complex concept that people regularly...... Read More

Faith working through love (Gal. 5:6): An introduction to the “alleylon” (one another) passages in the New Testament In his letter to some unnamed group of disciples, James, the brother of Jesus, makes the familiar and formerly controversial statement that “faith without works is dead.” I don’t know that James’ comment is particularly divisive in...... Read More

Thoughts on the Beatitudes, Part 10: Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of God. To this point, every Beatitude that we have considered has opened for us a plethora of questions of lesser or greater complexity. This week’s verse is no different, except that I’m...... Read More

Thoughts on the Beatitudes, Part 9b: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. Once upon a time there was a stunningly lame song, the chorus of which began, “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.” I am profoundly sorry to any of you who now...... Read More

Thoughts on the Beatitudes, Part 6: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness; they shall be satisfied. Before plunging in to Jesus’ next statement of happiness, let’s revisit the structure of the Beatitudes and situate the previous blessing of meekness. Looking at the verse to verse progression, it is clear that meekness sits...... Read More

Thoughts on the Beatitudes, Part 5: Blessed are the meek; they shall inherit the earth. OK, let’s get this out of the way. When I am driving behind you on a two-lane, double yellow line road and you are poking along at five miles per hour over the speed limit OR LOWER, I am not...... Read More

Thoughts on the Beatitudes, Part 2 Thirty years ago a famous (or infamous, as you might prefer) author penned a highly (alas) influential commentary that he called The Be (Happy) Attitudes. Even from the title, you can infer the kind of content you were likely to encounter if you were brave enough to read the book....... Read More

(Thoughts About the Beatitudes, Part 1) Over the past couple of years I have heard at least three sermons on joy and/or happiness. A key feature of these messages was the distinction that the speaker made between being joyful and being happy. In general, the argument relies on a somewhat valid analysis of our tendency...... Read More

Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven (the Lord’s Prayer as a statement of faith, part 4). “My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to finish his work” (Jesus in John 4:34). “I wish that God would just tell me what to do, and...... Read More