Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Proper 12 • Genesis 18:(17–19) 20–33 • July 25, 2010
By Dr. Jeffrey A. Gibbs Introduction The text presents two particular problems for interpreters. The first is the question of how “AD Christians” read the “BC Old Testament.” The second pertains to the whole issue of prayer in general, and intercessory prayer in particular. I will comment on the latter problem first. It is dangerously…
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Proper 11 • Genesis 18:1–10a (10b–14) • July 18, 2010
By John Loum General approach to preparing your sermon A. Start the process by praying about the subject or topic area B. Select and clearly state to the audience the subject area that you plan to address. C. At the point of your sermon delivery, start with an arousing statement or illustration in order to…
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Proper 10 • Leviticus (18:1–5); 19:9–18 • July 11, 2010
By Dr. Thomas Manteuful A Bible Study What statement is made repeatedly here to help God’s people remember and take to heart what is said? It is “I am the Lord your God,” sometimes abbreviated: “I am the Lord.” It tells the people of God that they are his special possession, redeemed and governed by…
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Proper 9 • Isaiah 66:10–14 • July 4, 2010
By David I. Lewis Introduction Several challenges face the preacher of this text: one challenge is how best to understand this text in its literary and historical context where it speaks to the restoration of Israel from captivity and how—if at all—this message then relates to our hearers today. Other challenges stem from this text…
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Proper 8 • 1 Kings 19:9b–21 • June 27, 2010
By Dr. Joel P. Okamoto Notes on the pericope This pericope presents Elijah’s encounter with Yahweh on Mount Horeb and his call of Elisha. Recently Elijah had been on another mountain, Carmel, where he challenged the prophets of Baal and demonstrated the truth about Yahweh (1 Kg 18). This infuriates Jezebel, so he runs for…
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Proper 7 • Isaiah 65:1–9 • June 20, 2010
By Travis J. Scholl Let’s be honest. Given the wondrous epistle reading from Galatians 3 (“But now that faith has come … There is no longer Jew or Greek … But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son … So you are no longer a slave but a child … ”)…
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Proper 6 • 2 Samuel 11:26–12:10, 13–14 • June 13, 2010
By Dr. Victor Raj The Setting During the season of Pentecost, the texts appointed for the third week underscore God the Holy Spirit’s specific activity of convicting us of our sin, calling us to repentance and faith, and pronouncing absolution. By means of a story, prophet Nathan convicts king David of his ‘affair’ with his…
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Proper 5 • 1 Kings 17:17–24 • June 6, 2010
By Dr. Timothy Saleska A question I want to ask you: Does it matter to you if this story is true or not? I don’t mean the question as a test of your orthodoxy. It is not a, Do you believe the Bible is true or a bunch of fables? type question. I don’t mean…
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Holy Trinity • Proverbs 8:1–4, 22–31 • May 30, 2010
By Dr. Charles Arand This Sunday provides an opportunity to highlight one of the most significant events within the history of the church. By the fourth century, the church had found itself with a conflict between its monotheistic principle (the oneness of God) and its Christocentric principle (the deity of the Son). Many argued that…
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