In 1 Corinthians, Paul isn’t writing to us, but to a very specific church with very specific problems. Within this letter, we are listening to one side of a conversation between two intimate parties.
1 Corinthians 1-2, pt.1 Read More »
Both parables end with a pronouncement of judgment, but are silent as to whether the judgment is carried out. What does this open-endedness say about who God is.
The Parables – Pounds, Wicked Tenants, pt.2 Read More »
The parable of the Pounds concerns the unrealized or future eschatology (the kingdom is not here yet) and how followers of Christ are to conduct themselves in the interim.
The Parables – Pounds, Wicked Tenants, pt.1 Read More »
Out of this conflict, Paul writes this pastoral letter addressing dissension in the church, lawsuits between believers, sex, and idolatry. This letter also provides us with a basic outline of our liturgy.
1 Corinthians – Introduction Read More »
In the parable of the Waiting Servant, Jesus has compressed the entirety of who he is into this one very short story. We see teachings on the Incarnation, the Atonement, all of Holy Week, and the Second Coming.
The Parables – Rich Fool, Waiting Servants, pt.2 Read More »
In the parable of the Rich Fool, the protagonist follows good standard financial advice in governing his affairs by building a great storehouse of wealth. Why is he therefore called a “fool”?
The Parables – Rich Fool, Waiting Servants, pt.1 Read More »
In the parable, we see the two men exhibit the spiritual characteristics of their respective social classes, the economically poor Lazarus exhibits spiritual poverty, whereas the rich man does not.
The Parables – Unrighteous Steward, Rich Man and Lazarus, pt.2 Read More »
These parables are found next to each other, with the parable of the Unrighteous Steward setting up the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.
The Parables – Unrighteous Steward, Rich Man and Lazarus, pt.1 Read More »
In the parable of the Tax Collector and the Pharisee, Bailey brings out that the underlying difference between the two men may lie in their respective understanding of the nature of sin – is it about a broken law or a broken relationship.
The Parables – Laborers in the Vineyard, Pharisee and Publican, pt.2 Read More »
In both of these parables, the antagonists believe that the reward of the kingdom is only for themselves and not the other. The overarching theme of the parables is that neither Envy nor Pride have a place in the Kingdom of God.
The Parables – Laborers in the Vineyard, Pharisee and Publican, pt.1 Read More »
