Why Was Jesus Killed?
By John B. Cobb, Jr.
Mark 14:1b The chief priests and scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth, and kill him.
Mark’s most explicit and direct answer to the question, “Why was Jesus killed?” is that the chief priests and scribes wanted him dead. But if we ask the question..
What Does it Mean to be a Christian?
By John B. Cobb, Jr.
John 8:31
Luke 4:18-19
The answers to this question are quite diverse. Some say that Christians are all those who place that label on themselves. For statistical surveys that is the best way to go. Many people who are not members of any church call themselve..
What About Rewards and Punishments?
Contributed by John B. Cobb, Jr.
Psalm 97
The scripture passages provided in the lectionary for today generally emphasize the idea of God’s justice. This is certainly a central theme for Christians. It was highlighted in the North American “Social Gospel,” which was widely influe..
Was Paul a Feminist?
Contributed by John B. Cobb, Jr.
Romans 16:1-7
Of course, Paul was not a feminist as that term is strictly employed today. Prior to the very recent period, no one was. But in a broader sense, the women who founded Ewha (would not count as feminists by rigorous contemporary standa..
Transforming the Time
By Bruce G. Epperly
I Kings 2:10-12, 3:3-14
Psalm 111
Ephesians 5:15-20
John 6:51-59
Life is full of special moments – your first day at school, graduation from college, falling in love, your wedding day, the birth of a child, the day that God became more than a word to you. L..
Thinking Highly of Oneself
By John B. Cobb, Jr.
Romans 12:3-8
Paul tells us not to think of ourselves more highly than we should. That is good counsel. There are many people who exaggerate their own importance and virtue. On the other hand, partly because of Paul’s influence, the problem in the church toda..
The Gift of a New Perspective
By Bruce G. Epperly
Date Delivered: November 4, 200727th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Luke 19:1-10
In one of his songs, Paul Simon portrays the lament of a middle aged, baby boomer:
We work our jobs
Collect our pay
We think we’re gliding down the highway
When, in fact, we..