A common buzz-phrase in political commentary is “family values”. This phrase is often articulated by those of “conservative” leanings, claiming such values are fundamentally Christian. Yet, when we conservatively look at the gospel texts and Jesus’ comments on family relationships, we find that our Lord’s actual family values are much more radical than most fundamentalists […]
Tag: Culture
On Something Greater
Sometimes, Jesus—through the gospel writers—repeats a particular phrase to grab our attention. For example, within the span of several breaths in Matthew 12, Jesus says several times that “something greater” has arrived. With each repetition of this proclamation, Jesus takes on an aspect of institutionalized structures and systems that supported daily life in that time […]
On the Author and Audience Relationship
We truly don’t know a lot about the gospel writers. Scholars have debated who wrote what. In the case of the gospel book attributed to Matthew (which I am focusing on during this current series of writing), we don’t really know if the tax collector mentioned in the text (Matthew 9:9-13) was the author. Perhaps […]
On Our Peacemaking
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9) If we want to be like Jesus, we must be peacemakers. Full stop. There is no way around this. In the beatitudes, Jesus says that the peacemakers are the blessed children of God. In this statement, Jesus is proclaiming a unique […]
On Our Mercifulness
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” (Matthew 5:7) At face value, this beatitude seems so simple and obvious: to those who are merciful, mercy shall be given. It is a “reap what you sow” statement, a karma-style mantra, and a “what goes around comes around” mindset. Yet, for being such an easy […]
On Our Hunger
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” (Matthew 5:6) The fourth beatitude listed in the gospel of Matthew mixes together hunger and righteousness. To better understand this beatitude as written here, it can be helpful to look at a few other gospel texts, lest we fall into the […]
On Our Meekness
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5) As the listing of the beatitudes progresses, we see a shift from a focus on typically unchosen realities (poverty, mourning), to core values that are more self-imposed and that shape our overall character—meekness, righteousness, mercifulness, virtuousness, and peace making. Meekness, the third mentioned […]
On Joining a Movement
When Jesus discovered his first friends and followers along the shore, I doubt the five of them (Jesus, Peter, Andrew, John, and James) knew what they were beginning. What joys and sorrows were ahead of them. What miracles and horrors. What great number of disciples and deserters. What life and death waited for them. We […]
On Finding Your People
The gospel narrative attributed to Matthew boldly begins by proclaiming Jesus as a newborn future king, attesting to an earthly and heavenly birthright. As would be the case, those already with regional and religious authority conspire together to confront this would-be threat to their reign. Even Satan makes an early appearance to thwart the Savior’s […]
On the Gospel’s Agenda
If we were to ask “what is the political agenda of the gospel” we might examine the gospel narrative attributed to Matthew. Indeed many squirm at the thought of the gospel having a political agenda. Those claiming a Christian identity might say the gospel is above politics, while those of a more secular-mind might say […]
Relevant Reformation 