Whenever I hear the word priorities, I think of Ron Weasley (in the movie version, at least) saying that Hermione, who privileges learning above all else, “needs to get her priorities sorted.” The comment is a bit subversive, it is very amusing, but I have a more serious challenge today. American Christians: we need to get our priorities sorted. What is more important for a Christian, to be right or to be compassionate? What is […]
I often flip that line when recruiting students for the honors college (“We are looking for people with not just the smarts, but the hearts as well.”). But as Chris Tilling points out, Christians (and not just Evangelicals) often go too far into the “hearts” side of faith and usually without understanding the biblical concept of “heart.” …the Greek word, καρδία (heart), doesn’t mean “muh-feels as opposed to suspicious mental work”. Rather, as the Exegetical Dictionary of the […]
A short homily for the Fourth Sunday of Easter (April 22, 2018) Acts 4:5-12 Psalm 23 1 John 3:16-24 John 10:11-18 Word and Speech; Truth and Action. What has been done “in the name of Jesus”? In Scripture, the blind are made to see and the lame to walk. Sins are forgiven in the name of Jesus. Indeed, Peter says that “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven […]
This year I have been thinking a lot about the fact that the Church should be a place of healing. That means that, if a Christian community is doing their job right, there ought to be a lot of hurting people in it, needing healing, comfort, and love. If we are honest with ourselves, we are all represented in that community, at least at some point or another. So the question that occurs to me […]
This past summer I wrote a series of devotions that were published on the Emerging Scholars Network blog1. Over the course of this week I will published them here on Targuman. I encourage you to take a look at ESN and consider supporting and contributing yourself. We will be holding a meet-up at this SBL this November, if you are there I hope you can join us! Reflection I grew up in a great church with […]
An old song with a new rendition by Derri Daugherty. It is a bit sappy (and I appreciate Derri’s updated lyrics, see the strikeout below) but it is a message I need to hear on a regular basis. If your body suffers pain and your health you can’t regain, And your soul is almost sinking in despair, Jesus knows the pain you feel, He can save and He can heal— Take your burden to the […]
The Collect: Second Sunday of Easter, Rite Two Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. John 20:29 Jesus said to him, […]
No one. This is from “Existential Comics,” always a good read, and reminded me of Lamentations. I recall coming across those who argued that the biblical author(s) critiquing/challenging God about the justice of allowing Jerusalem to be destroyed was an example of the erosion of faith. It always occurred to me that it is quite the opposite. One doesn’t challenge the “justice” or “mercy” of an entity one doesn’t believe in. Lament is the most […]
I was invited to preach at an all-campus service at the beginning of the semester. It was amazing to see the big auditorium in the student union completely filled. It was wonderful. It was incredibly encouraging. As I mention at the beginning of the sermon, I believe a preacher should be bringing the message that the congregation needs to hear and that is difficult when you are not regularly in that communion. This was a gathering of […]
The following is the homily I shared for Jake’s funeral this past Saturday. It is shared here with the blessing and permission of his family. Jake Correll We came here today to share our grief and sadness, to give thanks for the life of Jake Correll and to hear God’s word and receive the grace of the Eucharistic feast. I think it is important to state the obvious: none of us choose to be here. We […]
