June’s issue of The Christadelphian is now available. This month we start a new short series (three parts) on the word of God and our well-being, this month considering the topic of anxiety. This practical look at the subject should be of benefit to those who are anxious. In exposition there is a thoughtful consideration… Read More The Christadelphian Magazine and the latest issue of Testimony
Today’s thought “Out of the abundance of the heart” (July 11) There are so many things in life today than can influence our hearts and minds – for both good and bad – and the latter abound; but it is up to us to control what enters our hearts. How much to the point are… Read More Today’s thought “Out of the abundance of the heart” (July 11)
Today’s thought “… but those invited are not worthy” (July 21) One of the more challenging parables of Jesus is in today’s Matthew 22. Jesus says his kingdom “may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son” (verse 2). The “wedding” will see the commencement of the total transformation of… Read More Today’s thought “… but those invited are not worthy” (July 21)
They are Jesus’ stories • Multiple readings possible – but not all equally valid! • Told by him • Not primarily realist: about him, the impact and consequences of his coming – • About the progress of unfolding divine purpose: ‘the Kingdom of God is like… His stories are serious – ‘speech acts’ By telling… Read More Jesus the Storyteller 5 Conclusions
The Lukan context Contrasted pairs – earlier • Zechariah and Mary (ch. 1) • Rich and poor (ch. 6) • Pharisee and Levi (ch. 5) • Pharisee and woman (ch. 7) Contrasted pairs – Later Two sons (ch. 15) • Rich man and Lazarus (ch. 16) • Pharisee and tax collector (ch. 18) Reversals: bring… Read More Jesus the Storyteller 4 The Lukan & Pauline context
Reflections of/ on Jesus’ ministry Are all readings equally valid? Relation to course of Jesus ministry The ‘mystery’ of God’s kingdom – cf. The kingdom of heaven is like … (Matt. 13:24, 31, 33, 44, 45, 47) Tares: a reflection of opposition The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in… Read More Jesus the Storyteller 3 Reflections of/ on Jesus’ ministry
A narrative turn of mind – Luke 11 Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? (v. 11-12) Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall… Read More Jesus the Storyteller 1. Stories and their interpretation – two examples – Luke 11 & parables
Today’s thought “… and have no knowledge” (July 24) Today we continued reading Jeremiah and saw the exchange of words between the Lord and the prophet. There is no genuine spirituality left among the people, it is all a sham – yet the prophet appeals to God to act to relieve the terrible famine that… Read More Today’s thought “… and have no knowledge” (July 24)
Today’s thought “Stormy winds fulfilling his word” (February 2) Evil threatens to overcome the world. Evil has always been present, sometimes violently so such as in the days of my youth when Adolf Hitler was in power. Massive force was used to overcome the evil he created. But Paul wrote, “Do not be overcome with… Read More Today’s thought “Stormy winds fulfilling his word” (February 2)
Today’s thought “My soul thirsts for God” (January 23) Today’s Psalm 42 has this particularly challenging verse, “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?” (verse 2). We linked this verse in with the two parables we read today in Matthew 25. There is first a… Read More Today’s thought “My soul thirsts for God” (January 23)
In the Holy Scriptures or the Bible we find that the Nazarene master teacher Jeshua (Jesus Christ of Nazareth) was asked “…What will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3) The apostles probably where thinking of having Jesus speaking about the end of the Roman Empire and… Read More Sign of the Times and the Last Days #1 The Son of man revealing
## LUKE 9:11____________ 11 And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of The Kingdom of GOD, and healed them that had need of healing.__________________________ LUKE 9:62 62 And Jesus said unto Him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is… Read More Memorizing wonderfully 34 following Jesus the Way to the Kingdom
Preparing for 14 Nisan we should know that demands working at our attitude and at our own self, making sure that when we go to the memorial meal we can be worthy partakers of the body of Christ. Many in this world have their soul being hardened. With the refugee crisis we can see also… Read More Worthy partakers of the body of Christ
Belgian Ecclesia Brussel - Leuven 