In Matthew 23:13-33, there are recorded eight woes that Jesus pronounced upon the “scribes and Pharisees.” Jesus is harsh in his criticism as he unloads on his antagonists. The danger is that we can read these woes in a way that is not helpful or appropriate. If we take an us/them approach to these woes, […]
Defeating my inner Pharisee
Why do the Gospel writers spend so much ink on the Pharisees? What is the lesson we gain from this?
Truth – the antidote to shame
Christians are to be followers of the Truth. Truth dispels shame and as a result, shame should not be a part of any church culture.
Thoughts on Pharisaism inspired by Wendell Berry
Wendell Berry’s essay entitled “Damage” inspired thoughts about how church leaders can without intention cause damage by falling into the errors of Pharisaism.
Beware the leaven . . . thoughts on contemplative prayer
Contemplative prayer has become a hot topic. My concern is that by applying labels and generalities we miss an opportunity to learn and grow. The danger is that we throw out the wheat along with the chaff.
Purity of heart is the means of seeing God
The Beatitude tells us that the pure in heart will see God. What does this purity look like and how will it assist vision of God? When will this vision be manifested?
Muddy Waters, Mercy and the Fifth Beatitude
The fifth Beatitude tells us that those who are merciful will receive mercy. At first reading this sounds right to us. If you do good to others they will do good to you. It seem natural, like the popular concept of karma. Yet we see that this does not always hold true. How then should we understand this Beatitude?
Humility wins the day – The humble will be exalted
Luke 18 records the story of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. Only one of them left the Temple forgiven, the one who expressed humility
I don’t have the chutzpah to pick up the first stone
I have heard it said that chutzpah is illustrated by the man who kills his mother and father and then pleads to the judge to let him off because he is an orphan. In other words, chutzpa is that behavior that knows no self limitation. This evening a friend sent me a link to a […]
An Unholy Alliance: Pharisees and Herodians
An Unholy Alliance We are moving toward a presidential election year in the United States. As a result, the political pundits are ramping up their efforts to develop a market for their predictions. With this backdrop, when I read Mark this morning, Mark 3:6 grabbed my attention. In this verse there is a simple statement […]