Steve Berger, pastor and author of the new book Between Heaven and Earth, is heaven-obsessed. In light of his own family’s tragedies and the imperfections of human life, he sees heaven as his true home and the hope of heaven shapes his every decision. For Berger, the hope of heaven gives him a larger perspective.…
When I recently told a colleague that I was writing a brief piece on the Seven Last Words – or Seven Sayings – of Christ, he responded: “Isn’t that a bit old school, Bruce? Why bother with something that is obviously inaccurate and outmoded in terms of current theology?” His response gave me pause, but I…
The Triumphant Entry Luke 19:28-40; Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 The Passion of Jesus Isaiah 53:4-9a; Psalm 31:9-16; Philippians 2:5-11; Luke 23:1-49 The order of the day for the first day of Holy Week, Palm Sunday, is the interplay of celebration and passion. It is the appropriate theological as well as chronological entry point for the spiritual maelstrom on the horizon…
Lectionary Reflections Third Sunday in Lent March 23, 2014 Exodus 17:1-7 Psalm 95 Romans 5:1-11 John 4:5-42 (4:5-15, 27-38) We all need living waters. We need spiritual and relational resources that refresh and transform our lives. God is willing to give us what we need for spiritual transformation in challenging times; we need to open…