Category Archives: Bible Study

Another Look: How the Bible Works in Our Lives Today

Today we take another look at a post from 2013 about how I think Scripture “works” in our lives today — we who live so far removed from the events it records and who live in a vastly different time and culture. • • • First of all, we must be willing to recognize that anyone who beginsContinue reading “Another Look: How the Bible Works in Our Lives Today”

Another Look: My View of Scripture (updated)

Here is another look at something I wrote back in 2011. I present again, for your consideration and discussion, a summary of my perspective on Scripture (at this point in my understanding). It has increased from ten points to eleven in five years, and has been updated in a few places. The Bible is fromContinue reading “Another Look: My View of Scripture (updated)”

Doing Jesus’ work in Jesus’ way

The Beatitudes Jesus taught come to us in two parts. The first four Beatitudes describe the surprising recipients of God’s favor. Blessed are the poor in spirit Blessed are those who mourn Blessed are the meek Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice These are the ones most people consider at the bottom of society’sContinue reading “Doing Jesus’ work in Jesus’ way”

Another Look: Examine Yourself?

A man named Andrew contributed a short story on theopenend.com about hypochondria. In it, he wrote: Today I have lymphoma. Yesterday was bowel cancer. I curiously palpate my underarms, searching for that slippery lump, stealthily hiding from my grasp. I check again, and again. I then move up to my neck, again massaging for lumps. My temperatureContinue reading “Another Look: Examine Yourself?”

Another Look: If there is an overriding narrative theme in scripture, this is it . . .

If I were asked to summarize the primary narrative theme of the Bible with one brief verse, I would choose a line from the Lord’s Prayer: “Bring in your kingdom so that your will is done on earth as it’s done in heaven” (Matthew 6:10, CEB). The story of the Bible is about God establishing his KingdomContinue reading “Another Look: If there is an overriding narrative theme in scripture, this is it . . .”

Another Look: The NT “Haustafeln”

Note from CM: This post was originally written in 2011. Recently, I’ve been following a sermon series that has been going on in a church with which I’m familiar. They are dealing with some of the passages mentioned in this post in typical conservative evangelical fashion. The fact that I put it that way willContinue reading “Another Look: The NT “Haustafeln””

Fall, or Folly? (4): As It Was in the Beginning . . .

Same as it ever was . . . Same as it ever was . . . • “Once in a Lifetime,” Talking Heads • • • This has been an interesting week for me at Internet Monk. As I’ve studied, thought, conversed, and prayed my way through these posts, I’ve gained a new clarity inContinue reading “Fall, or Folly? (4): As It Was in the Beginning . . .”

Fall, or Folly? (3): Paul Reads the Story

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned— for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those whoContinue reading “Fall, or Folly? (3): Paul Reads the Story”

Fall, or Folly? (2): A Wisdom Story

St. Irenaeus (2nd century) described Adam and Eve as “adolescents.” They were not “perfect” in the sense of “complete.” They represent a beginning and an intention – but something that not only remained unfulfilled – but even something that had deviated from its intended path. From “mud commanded to become Gods,” they became beings unableContinue reading “Fall, or Folly? (2): A Wisdom Story”