“What does the questioning of Jesus by the religious authorities have to do with the Easter story?”
In today’s podcast and post, Jesus faces three more temptations prior to his crucifixion. Just like my question, they are tests, and just like our story today, our ability to answer reveals something about the resurrection.
Join me now as we follow Jesus as he lives from the power of the resurrection before he even dies, and why that’s only possible outside of religion.
. “Have you every prayed the prayer asking God to ‘Remember me?’ It’s sort of amazing how these two words can say so much.”
In today’s podcast and post we return to our ongoing series entitled “Psalms Greatest Hits” staying with the 119th Psalm, and looking at the seventh section of this chapter. The Psalmist draws upon the voice and proximity of God to navigate the struggles of life, something we don’t see very often today.
Join me now as we are invited into a prayer that holds not only a messianic proximity, but the framework of true freedom.
“Have you heard the phrase: ‘Many are called, but few are chosen’? If so, do you think the chosen refer to the Jewish people, or perhaps the special elect of God?
In today’s podcast and post we look at the third Easter parable that was given to the religious. I’m sure most of you have never considered the parable of the wedding banquet as an Easter parable, but that is exactly what it is.
Join me now as Jesus flips the script on our assumptions about who gets into the Kingdom of God, and who is picked out.
“Why does Jesus tell religion that the Kingdom of God is being taken from them and given to the heathens? Specifically, why does he say this in the midst of the Easter story?”
In today’s podcast and post we visit the second of three parables Jesus gives to religion prior to his crucifixion. These texts are often omitted from Easter, but I will build a case for why they need to be included.
Join me now as Jesus offers a story that reveals just how wrong religion is regarding the Kingdom of God
This Easter, pastors and teachers are going to offer outsiders a way to reconnect with God because that is essentially the business of religion. But what if access to God is outside of religion? What would your pastor say about that?
In today’s podcast and post we consider our first of three Easter parables which are not favorable toward the religious mind. If we are to truly experience Easter this year, perhaps we need to adopt Jesus’ integral teaching about religion.
Join me now as we follow Christ back into the temple where he offers a parable to the religious mind, and reveals how all comers can access God and His Kingdom now.
During Easter, we are a familiar with the stories of Jesus riding into town on a donkey, his arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection, but did you know there are twenty more parts to the story? What about all of those?
In today’s podcast and post we continue to look over Christ’s shoulder as we follow him through the end of his life. I’ll explain why these passages have been recategorized outside of the Easter narrative.
Join me now as we begin putting these stories back where they belong, and rediscover why the Easter season is not about making converts or joining religion.
“Why do you suppose that the story of Jesus throwing out the moneychangers in the temple has virtually no impact on pastors and running the church like a business?”
In today’s podcast and post, we continue following Christ into one of his most subversive acts toward religion. I’ll provide the historical context and compare it to the modern-day Sunday Big Show.
Join me now as we look closely at Jesus’ angry rebuke upon religion, and ask ourselves why the modern church continues to ignore his message.
“Does it really make a difference if the Bible isn’t interpreted correctly? When a passage doesn’t make sense, or seems impossible, how many people just move on from it as if it doesn’t really matter?
In today’s podcast and post I will offer an interpretation that I hope will help you, and that will free you from having this verse misused against you.
Join me now as class is in session, and we follow Christ into one of his most controversial conversations, and do our best to hear his teaching again…for the very first time.
“Have you ever found yourself wrestling with a verse from the Bible? One which didn’t seem to make sense, or seemed incongruent, or seemed impossible to take literally?
In today’s podcast and post, we lay the groundwork for one of those verses that creates so much tension, confusion, and even division. Is it really that difficult or is has religion made it so?
Join me now as I set the stage for a passage that religion insists must be interpreted literally, but no one ever does, not even those who teach it
“Is there anything wrong with wanting to be the best? To be the next greatest thing? Of course not, unless you’re trying to go to heaven.
In today’s podcast and post, we shadow Christ in one of his teachings about heaven. He gives explicit instructions on how we are to enter it, and surprisingly everything religion told us we needed to do is not even mentioned.
Join me now as we hear this story again for the very first time, and consider who really is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.