Tuesday, March 31
Glenn M. Miller, “Redemption in the New Testament,” The Great Irruption: Christ’s Work on the Cross
Anthony says,
If you can, r(e-r)ead "Redemption", at Ask Dr. Cobb, Process and Faith (http://www.processandfaith.org/askcobb/2006/04-redemption.shtml)
Finally, be prepared to discuss a character/group of characters from a fictional artistic work--in film, tv show, literature, theatre, or art--who acts as a redemptive force in the world. To preface your remarks, be prepared to give a very brief summary of the story/artwork. Even though I'm sure it's a disservice, please try to keep your sharing time capped at 5 minutes. I'm banking some time for discussion of each person's choice.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Jesus is one righteous brother
Tuesday, March 17 – Law and Righteousness
Romans 2:12-8:17
Matthew 5:17-20
1. This week we are dipping into Paul's Epistle (letter) to the Christians in Rome. He has many deep and interesting things to say about the relationship of Jesus to the Law of Moses. For instance, Paul argues that the Law is not something you can just hear and claim for your own--you actually have to follow it. You can't even merely "embody" the Law by being circumcised--you have to really mean it.
2. Jesus claims in Matthew not merely to uphold but to fulfill the Law. What does this mean? What does it mean, especially in light of the fact that Mosaic Law required (animal) sacrifice, that (as far as I know) Christians have never been known to sacrifice animals?
3. All sorts of Old Testment characters pop up. What does it mean that Abraham was justified by works and righteous before God? Why does David bless the forgiven sinner? (Think about what you know about David.) What is Jesus' relationship to Adam?
4. What does it mean "sin is not taken into account when there is no law"? (Romans 5:13) Better yet, meditate on Romans 7:7-25.
5. I also want to share with you now is an article Michael sent me about Jesus cleansing the Temple. This story can be found in all four Gospels: Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-17; Luke 19:45-46; John 2:13-22. In the first three, the Synoptic Gospels, this event takes place at the end of Jesus' ministry, during Holy Week. Congregations following the Revised Common Lectionary will hear the version from John this Sunday, which is why I'm thinking about it.
The article below is also about the Gospel of John, in which the story happens at the beginning of Jesus' ministry. It sort of fits with our readings for Tuesday in so far as sacrifice was required under Mosaic law, but Paul (and the author of John) argue that Jesus is changing/replacing the Law.
Mark R. Bredin, "John's account of Jesus' demonstration in the temple: violent or nonviolent?" Biblical Theology Bulletin (Summer 2003):
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0LAL/is_2_33/ai_103673630
If you don't get a chance to read the article for this week, I will re-post it when we come back to this story at the end of the semester.
Romans 2:12-8:17
Matthew 5:17-20
1. This week we are dipping into Paul's Epistle (letter) to the Christians in Rome. He has many deep and interesting things to say about the relationship of Jesus to the Law of Moses. For instance, Paul argues that the Law is not something you can just hear and claim for your own--you actually have to follow it. You can't even merely "embody" the Law by being circumcised--you have to really mean it.
2. Jesus claims in Matthew not merely to uphold but to fulfill the Law. What does this mean? What does it mean, especially in light of the fact that Mosaic Law required (animal) sacrifice, that (as far as I know) Christians have never been known to sacrifice animals?
3. All sorts of Old Testment characters pop up. What does it mean that Abraham was justified by works and righteous before God? Why does David bless the forgiven sinner? (Think about what you know about David.) What is Jesus' relationship to Adam?
4. What does it mean "sin is not taken into account when there is no law"? (Romans 5:13) Better yet, meditate on Romans 7:7-25.
5. I also want to share with you now is an article Michael sent me about Jesus cleansing the Temple. This story can be found in all four Gospels: Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-17; Luke 19:45-46; John 2:13-22. In the first three, the Synoptic Gospels, this event takes place at the end of Jesus' ministry, during Holy Week. Congregations following the Revised Common Lectionary will hear the version from John this Sunday, which is why I'm thinking about it.
The article below is also about the Gospel of John, in which the story happens at the beginning of Jesus' ministry. It sort of fits with our readings for Tuesday in so far as sacrifice was required under Mosaic law, but Paul (and the author of John) argue that Jesus is changing/replacing the Law.
Mark R. Bredin, "John's account of Jesus' demonstration in the temple: violent or nonviolent?" Biblical Theology Bulletin (Summer 2003):
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0LAL/is_2_33/ai_103673630
If you don't get a chance to read the article for this week, I will re-post it when we come back to this story at the end of the semester.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Redemption: God intervenes
Tuesday, March 10
Glenn M. Miller, “Redemption in the Old Testament,” The Great Irruption: Christ’s Work on the Cross
1) Re-read Brueggemann's article on redemption.
2) Recommended: Read Dr. Cobb's article on redemption:
http://www.processandfaith.org/askcobb/2006/04-redemption.shtml
3) Meditate on the meaning of redemption.
4) If you have the time, please take a look at a hymnal (any hymn book--old or new; red, blue, or black; paper or virtual). Pick out song(s) that speak(s) to the idea of God's redeeming work in the world (past/present/future) individually and globally. Try to pick out at least one from the UMHymnal/The Faith We Sing, but also feel free to bring something outside those texts. If you can't get access to any
hymnal from anywhere, try the Psalms. If you can't find the Psalms, they're in the dead center of most Bibles or easily found online. :)
If you do any of this, please at least attempt #3 and #4. My apologies in advance if I'm asking too much of you.
Peace,
Anthony
Glenn M. Miller, “Redemption in the Old Testament,” The Great Irruption: Christ’s Work on the Cross
1) Re-read Brueggemann's article on redemption.
2) Recommended: Read Dr. Cobb's article on redemption:
http://www.processandfaith.org/askcobb/2006/04-redemption.shtml
3) Meditate on the meaning of redemption.
4) If you have the time, please take a look at a hymnal (any hymn book--old or new; red, blue, or black; paper or virtual). Pick out song(s) that speak(s) to the idea of God's redeeming work in the world (past/present/future) individually and globally. Try to pick out at least one from the UMHymnal/The Faith We Sing, but also feel free to bring something outside those texts. If you can't get access to any
hymnal from anywhere, try the Psalms. If you can't find the Psalms, they're in the dead center of most Bibles or easily found online. :)
If you do any of this, please at least attempt #3 and #4. My apologies in advance if I'm asking too much of you.
Peace,
Anthony
Monday, March 2, 2009
God's Son Sacrifices Himself
Tuesday, March 3
Glenn M. Miller, “Sacrifice in the New Testament,” The Great Irruption: Christ’s Work on the Cross
This week we take our first foray into the New Testament, as we discuss how Christ's sacrifice was imagined amid other Mediterranean sacrificial practices in the first century. I found Glenn Miller's suggestions of how members of other religions might have perceived John 1:29 particularly thought-provoking, because it made Christ on the cross "strange" (anthropologist-types love that).
Bring a pencil--we're going to start with a writing exercise!
Then we'll move on to the various ways in which Christ's sacrifice is presented in the New Testament.
Since we've also just started Lent, you might also think about sacrifice in that context.
See you Tuesday at the usual time and place!
Glenn M. Miller, “Sacrifice in the New Testament,” The Great Irruption: Christ’s Work on the Cross
This week we take our first foray into the New Testament, as we discuss how Christ's sacrifice was imagined amid other Mediterranean sacrificial practices in the first century. I found Glenn Miller's suggestions of how members of other religions might have perceived John 1:29 particularly thought-provoking, because it made Christ on the cross "strange" (anthropologist-types love that).
Bring a pencil--we're going to start with a writing exercise!
Then we'll move on to the various ways in which Christ's sacrifice is presented in the New Testament.
Since we've also just started Lent, you might also think about sacrifice in that context.
See you Tuesday at the usual time and place!
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