John B. Cobb Jr.

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Written on the Heart

By Bruce G. Epperly

Date Delivered: March 29, 2009

Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm 51:10-12 1
John 12:20-26

Legend has it that before the voyages of Columbus and other European sailors, the far western edges of maps had the words “ne plus ultra,” there is no more, written upon the..

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..

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..

Serving God and Mammon

By John B. Cobb, Jr.

Luke story of the rich, young ruler

It has been very risky for a long time now to make statements about what Jesus said. Accordingly, I won’t claim that the explicit assertion that we cannot serve both God and Mammon came from him. But unless the synoptic wri..

Scales Fell From His Eyes

By John B. Cobb, Jr.

Acts 9:1-19

The idea that scales sometimes fall from our eyes has taken hold in Christendom. It describes figuratively an experience that many have had.

In this whole passage there is a double change. On the road to Damascus, in the figurative sense, we mi..

Prayer

By John B. Cobb, Jr.

O Thou, who art both Father and Mother of us all, we thank you for the beauty and love with which we are surrounded here. We thank you that we can live with others who share our gratitude to you and have concern one for another. We thank you that as the years pa..

Is Jesus a New Moses?

By John B. Cobb, Jr.

Location: Emory University

The lectionary passages selected for today emphasize the connection between Jesus and Moses. Jesus’ ascent up the mount of transfiguration has many similarities with Moses’ ascent up Sinai. In addition Moses comes to see Jesus there..