“Now, if I told you once, I told you a thousand times.” A dressing-down entwines itself in those words. Often, we scold children through this warning, with an explanation trailing behind. “Don’t play in the street.” “Do your homework before turning on the TV.” The overstatement of “1,000” clatters out the parent’s frustration. From afar, […]
The Parables of Jesus: Lesson 2
October 8, 2017 by
Recap and Intro A parable is a comparison, from the Greek “para,” meaning as “in parallel” and “balo,” meaning “to cast.” Through a parable, the speaker casts a net or line to reveal something hidden through what is known. Even so, Jesus told His disciples, “The secrets of the kingdom of heaven are given for […]
Church History, Lesson 12: Christianity in North Africa, Part 2
October 8, 2017 by
The Writing Down of What Was Handed Down Intro Tertullian (160-225 AD), the first Latin Church Father, provided us with much of our Church language and ways of thinking. He also helped set up an idea of perfectionism, sometimes treating forgiveness as a possible excuse to sin, foremost in matters of marriage and fornication. Today, […]
Matthew 6:24-34: Seek First …
September 24, 2017 by
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob rescued His people from Egypt, protected them through the sea, and led them through the wilderness. On manna formed from the dew and quail, which flew in, the people feasted. Still, they griped, and their appetites remained unquenched. Released from slavery and fed on God’s miracle bread, they […]
The Parables of Jesus: Lesson 1, Introduction
September 23, 2017 by
What are Parables? To introduce a parable, Jesus often used this phrase, “The kingdom of God is like …” In a non-parable-like fashion, Jesus revealed the structure of a parable: A comparison. The term “parable” comes from the two Greek words. “Para,” a preposition meaning “alongside” or “together with,” as in parallel. “Balo,” a verb, […]
Church History, Lesson 11: Christianity in North Africa, Part 1
September 20, 2017 by
Intro Several influential theologians in early Christianity were Africans, including Tertullian (160-225 AD), Cyprian (200-258 AD), and Augustine (354-430 AD). Today, we will only learn about Tertullian. So, when did Christianity first arrive in Africa? We aren’t sure. Irenaeus mentioned the spread of Christianity around 180 AD. In his first volume of Against Heresies (last […]
Luke 17:11-19: The Rituals of Mercy
September 17, 2017 by
A standard introductory ritual when you meet someone is to shake his hand. To greet another, you extend your hand. “Hello, I’m Rich,” as I grab hold of the other person’s hand and we both move them up and down. So, we grasp hands and shift their movement in a set pattern. Can we not […]
The Apocrypha, Lesson 20: Baruch
September 16, 2017 by
Intro We know of Baruch from the book of Jeremiah, where he is presented as Jeremiah’s scribe (Jeremiah 32:10-16; 36:1-31). Baruch means “blessed one,” a shortened form of Berechyahu, “blessed by Yahweh.” Near the end of Jeremiah’s and Baruch’s career in Judea, Baruch read aloud what Jeremiah told him to write. Baruch did this, and […]
Church History, Lesson 10: The Tradition is Passed On: Irenaeus
September 14, 2017 by
Intro Irenaeus (135-202 AD) came from Smyrna in Asia Minor, which today is Izmir, Turkey. Born between 130-140 AD, he studied under Polycarp (AH 3, 3:4; “Letter to Florinus” Eusebius’ Church History, 5, 20:5-8). He provides a valuable account of the 2nd century Church, both East and West, bridging the end of the Apostolic Fathers […]
The Apocrypha, Lesson 19: Sirach, Part 2: The New Testament’s Use of Sirach
September 9, 2017 by
Intro Last week, we surveyed the Lutheran Church’s “lovefest” with Sirach. Today, we do the same but focus our attention on the New Testament. In about 195 BC, “Jesus, son of Eleazar, son of Sira,” a faithful Jew and renown teacher, commonly called “Sirach,” compiled his class lecture notes and reflections. These would later become […]
