As we develop a right approach to the Supper, which includes a weekly approach to the Supper, we have to be careful to avoid distractions. One such distraction is the charge that this “high view” of the Supper is somehow incipiently Roman Catholic. In considering a historical debate as we come to the Supper is …
Robert E. Lee and Honest History
Ethical relativists believe in the relativism of truth and morality. They do not, however, believe in the relativism of power. They either have it, or they don’t. And if they do not, they know what direction they want to go. We don’t need a print-out of their agenda to know what is on it. Part …
On Earth, In Heaven
The Holy Spirit dwells in the Temple of the living God, and you, considered together, are that Temple. Individually, you have responsibilities, each of you, as a living stone, but in the public worship of God, when we are gathered together like this in the congregation, we are the Temple of God. This means you …
The Only God
We have to remember that the first four of the Ten Commandments are summarized by the greatest commandment to love God, while the last six are summarized by the commandment to love our neighbor. We should also keep in mind that the law of God is not a series of different panes of glass — …
Showboat
One recent political surprise is the fact that the swift boat controversy has actually become a controversy. Normally this kind of thing just gets buried. I don’t know if this issue has feet because of Internet coverage, because of Fox News, or because there are some Democrats who don’t really want a Kerry win to …
Inherit the Earth
These are familiar words. As familiar words, they have much in common with other well-traveled passages. One common feature is the fact that the promise is not well-understood. The word to us is very clear — “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.“ A blessing is pronounced upon a certain kind of …
The Shepherd Lord/Psalm 23
INTRODUCTION This passage is one of the most famous scriptural passages, and rightly so. The only real problem with it is that people are so familiar with it that it is easy to assume too readily that you have grasped the full import of what is being said. But this psalm has wonderful depths. THE …
Christus Victor/Psalm 22
INTRODUCTION This psalm contains one of the great Old Testament portrayals of the Gospel. Along with Isaiah 53, we learn here that the death of Christ for the sins of the world was no afterthought. The Lamb of God was indeed slain from before the foundations of the world. THE TEXTS My God, my God, …
The Law of Liberty
Understanding the nature and purpose of God’s law is central to our Christian lives. If we misunderstand or disobey what God requires of us, we have sinned grievously. If we understand it and obey, we receive tremendous blessing. To misunderstand law is to misunderstand grace. We see this in the preface to the Ten Commandments. …
Capitol Prayers
Once a fledgling minister was sitting quietly in the back of presbytery. He had not yet learned all the ropes, and was silently enduring until the time came when he would be called upon to speak. He had made it through three meetings of presbytery this way, and it looked as if it was soon …