Sometimes we can start thinking we know the limits of God’s mercy, who can and cannot be shown God’s grace. The story of Jesus’ conversation with the Syrophoenician woman reminds us that sometimes God can break his own rules.
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How to Find Books and Articles for Your Essay
Here on this blog I’ve provided some lists of good commentaries, journals, and reference works. But how do you find these and other good sources? In particular, how do you go beyond the listed volumes to find other relevant books and journal articles? There are three basic tools to use. (Note that these tips focus…
Read MoreOnline Synopsis of Gospel Parallels
I recently stumbled across a very useful site for students working on the Gospels or on the Jesus tradition. The Five Gospels Parallels, by John W. Marshall at the University of Toronto, presents the gospel texts (in English) in parallel vertical columns. The text is divided into pericopes, and for each one Marshall provides links…
Read MoreMy Sermon on the Parable of the Duty-bound Slave
I gave this sermon at St. Paul’s-on-the-Hill Anglican church in Pickering, Ontario on October 2, 2016. I hope some of you find it useful. The text for my sermon (from the week’s lectionary) was Luke 17:5-10: 5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6 The Lord replied, “If you had…
Read MoreCan We Trust the Gospels?
This was a sermon delivered at St. Paul’s-on-the-Hill Anglican church in Pickering, Ontario, Sunday March 13th.
Read MoreIs Socialism Un-Christian?
I’ve been thinking lately about the debates in Christian circles (especially in the US) about “socialism.” By “socialism” I mean the basic idea that some justice can be preserved in a community if our government redistributes wealth — takes money or property from the wealthy and gives it to the poor. This socialist model has been…
Read MoreMy Sermon on the Historical Jesus
Here’s my sermon preached at St. Paul’s-on-the-Hill Anglican Church on Sunday, Feb. 14th. Yes, I drew the short straw and preached on Valentines Day! Enjoy.
Read MoreThe Holistic Kingdom of the Gospels
One student recently suggested that there might be a progression in the Gospels from earlier books that are more this-worldly in focus to later books that are more “mystical.” I don’t think I’d agree that the later Gospels become more mystical, if by that you mean more “other-worldly.” On the one hand, I think all…
Read MoreWhat Does the Lamb Do?
In my course on New Testament Theology and History I pointed out that Mark’s Gospel depicts Jesus’ death primarily as a Passover offering, not as a sin offering. One student asked me to elaborate on this and I thought I would share my thoughts here as well. If you go back to the book of…
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