Shows
Jesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithOrigin Stories - Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 17Does the 21st century nation state of Peru play an essential role in salvation history? Short answer: Of course not. God loves Peruvians! But Peru the cultural/political body is not critical to the plan redemption. So why do many American Christians suspect that the US, as a nation (or a cultural dimension of the nation), is a divinely ordained actor on the stage of cosmic salvation? The (mistaken) answer is located deep in both church and American history, and needs to be corrected for the health of both. If you'd like to...2021-07-3050 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithAdmitting the Problem (of Sin) - Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 16How do I, as a white, well-educated, heterosexual, Protestant, cis male, who would never knowingly sanction racism of any sort, reflect on "systemic racism"? For those of us who try hard to so very hard to be good people (defined in no small part by being not-racist!), the phrase can spark a reflexive defensiveness ("Not me!"). Yet the enduring effects of racism in our society are clear on many fronts - from "red lining," to access to education, to criminal sentencing, to... So how do I, as trying-to-be-loving-Jesus-follower, think about my part in...2021-07-1953 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithOn Love, Hope and Change - Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 15Hope is the belief that things can change for the better. And it is the question the gospel persistently sets before us: Are we naive in thinking that meaningful transformation is possible? And more naive still to believe that love is the means by which such transformation truly occurs? These questions of hope, love and change are especially pressing as we face afresh the reality of historic racial injustice and ask if and how we can shape a better tomorrow. Here we look at the story of Nicodemus, a Pharisee confronted with Jesus's insistence that...2021-07-0744 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithWhat God Wants? Justice, Mercy and Humility! - Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 14"How does one appease a deity? Gain a favor? Avert a curse?" Such questions stood at the center of Ancient Near Eastern religion (and of many cultures since...). And thus great effort has been dedicated to rituals and ceremonies and strict adherence to divine instructions. So what does the God of Israel want from his people? What are our instructions? (And is our purpose to gain a blessing or escape a punishment??) In this episode we turn to the OT prophet Micah's succinct articulation of God's answer. If you'd like to follow along...2021-06-2341 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithJesus and Divine Justice - Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 13As those called to share in God's project of restoration, justice is at the heart of our work. But what does the Bible mean by "justice"? The term easily conjures feelings and images not shalom (peace), but punishment - that divine justice is defined by the reward of the righteous and the proper condemnation of the wicked. (This is where much of the "law and order" language we hear in connection to politics arises!) But a closer look reveals God's concern is not judgment but compassion. Above all, to be people of divine justice is...2021-06-1649 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithHope and Vision - Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 12Essential to the life of faith is recognizing that hope is rooted in reality, in what is actually possible. The gospel has no room for fairy tales or wishful thinking, only for what can be accomplished in this time and place. And thus the work of maturity is to expand our vision for what is possible with God (short answer: healing, peace and restoration). The difference is subtle, but critical. In a world that is hurting deeply (and this sermon was preached during the rapidly growing COVID crisis, only days after the death of George...2021-06-0442 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithLove and Revolution - Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 11APOLOGIES for being away so long. No...really. I'm sorry for the extended absence (more in the intro). But at last we continue in our look at hope in the time of COVID, and particularly how we make good use of a crisis. So far we've looked at the essential first step of faith: allowing ourselves to be loved. Now we take the beginning of step two: recognizing that Jesus's manner of love - indeed his whole way of being - is a radically new road. And it calls us to a radically new worldview.2021-03-3149 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithThe Name of the Game - Advent 4 (2020)The ultimate lesson of Advent, indeed the ultimate lesson of the whole of scripture and the life of faith, is love - the pure, open, unending and unconditional, freely-given love of God. It is the simplest of insights, and yet we can go decades - even as confessing Christians - without truly seeing it...truly. And so this is a sermon about exactly that: the love of God, as plainly as I can make it. It's not a Christmas sermon per se, but there is much within it about discovering Jesus (again). I hope it's of help!2020-12-2452 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithCome and Be Joyful! - Advent 3 (2020)If any emotion has been in short supply this year, it's joy. And yet Advent calls us to return to this central experience of the Christian life, whatever our momentary circumstances. Today we hear from Banning Cantarini, a young and gifted preacher, who takes a look at how one of our most beloved carols of Christmas was written amidst serious suffering, and why coming to Jesus is cause for rejoicing. This is no call to deny pain or paint a happy face on hardship. Rather, it is a reminder of grace. ...2020-12-2327 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithPeace Within and Peace on Earth - Advent 2 (2020)Peace is the theme of the 2nd week of Advent and one of the central promises of the Bible. And yet for many of us, true peace - both inward and in creation - is very elusive. How can we find inner calm when so much of the world is hurting? Would we not have to turn a blind eye to suffering? Indeed, is not the way to peace on Earth the labor of God's people? Today we look again at Psalm 46 and a deep lesson on the nature of peace and and...2020-12-1047 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithGod, Sosthenes and Hope - Advent 1 (2020)We begin Advent 2020 with a look (by our beloved Rev. Ian Farrell) at a Jewish official named Sosthenes. Originally mentioned in the book of Acts, he took part in bringing charges against Paul in Corinth, charges that could have had dire consequences. And when the case is thrown out of court, Sosthenes is attacked by his own. Seems the last we’d hear of him...until he co-writes 1 Corinthians. It turns out people can change - a lot! And that’s not a bad reason for hope in a broken world! The biblical pass...2020-12-0334 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithOn the Difficulty of Discipleship and the Grace of God - Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 10If you find yourself having to learn the same lesson of faith a thousand times, following Jesus closely and then wandering off aimlessly, believing and not believing, trusting and doubting...this is the episode for you. And you happen to be in good company - namely Jesus's first disciples! Today we look at the general ineptitude of the original apostles and how clearly their impressive fallibility reveals the unconditional love of God. The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is: Matthew 15:29-16:20 (NRSV) It was preached on May 17, 2020 at Canvas Presbyterian Church (Irvine...2020-11-2649 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithEmbracing Every Saint - The Church and the LGBTQ+ CommunityWho truly belongs to the family of faith; how wide is the circle of God's people? This was one of the most contested debates in the early church, and remains so 2,000 years later. In this All Saints Day episode, we take up the question of inclusion and why Canvas has published a formal statement of our full embrace of those of every race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, socio-economic status who call on Christ as Lord. As I mention in the intro, Canvas is currently engaged i...2020-11-1749 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithThe Love of a Mother and the Heart of Jesus - Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 09Continuing our look at the practice of being loved by God, we read the story of Jesus encounter with a young mother desperate for healing of her daughter. Everything about their meeting is a violation of cultural expectations, and the scene is wrought with emotion. And in this meeting - where hope meets love - we see in stark relief the boundless love of God for each and every person, no matter how distant from God they may seem (or feel). The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is: Matthew 15:21-28 (NRSV) It w...2020-10-2846 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithLove Embodied - Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 08Continuing our look at the practice of being loved - the work we can do on our side of the relationship to receive what God has already given us - we look, again, to Jesus. But we do so not so much in an effort to follow or obey, but simply to (re)discover his heart: What drives Jesus? What motivates his action? If Jesus is God incarnate, what does his life reveal about the essential nature of the Lord? And how might insight into the depths of Jesus's love change us? The biblical passage...2020-10-2051 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithThe Practice of Being Loved - Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 07That individual humans are dearly loved by God is central claim of Christianity. And yet many of us go through periods where we question even this foundational idea. Are we loved? Really? And even when we believe - intellectually - that we are, coming to deeply accept and experience that love remains quite a struggle. But there are ways we can aid in the process of receiving love, practices that can undertake. For the next few episodes we will look at those, staring with hearing God say it again. The biblical passage referenced in...2020-10-1737 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithHope and Holiness - Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 06Having established the content of Christian hope - the present assurance of God's ultimate salvation (see ep. 292) - we turn now to the Christian obligation to be instruments of hope to others. Amidst suffering, even suffering inflicted upon us, as followers of Jesus we are called to embody hope, to reveal the way to love and peace and rest. Our means for accomplishing this? In a word: holiness - being distinctly Christian, distinctly loving. The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is: 1 Peter 1:1-16 (NRSV) It was preached on April 19, 2020 (Easter) at Canvas P...2020-09-1539 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithWhat, Exactly, IS the Christian Hope? - Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 05For many of us right now, especially, hope can feel in short supply. Not just the amount of hope, but the content of hope. What are we actually hoping for? And what has Jesus got to do with it? What constitutes "Christian" hope? That we won't suffer? That we won't grieve? Die? Clearly that is NOT what the gospel promises (see "crucifixion"!). Is hope, then, limited only to the age to come? I trust that God will win in the cosmic end? Is there true, meaningful hope for today? Short answer: yes. The...2020-08-2840 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithIn Praise of the Saving God - Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 04This remains a very difficult time, as crisis seems to mount upon crisis, pain upon pain, fear upon fear. And the question that confronts us is: How do we remain people of enduring hope, while honestly enduring suffering? When we don't seek false escape from pain, diminish it or deny it, but courageously face it, what gets us through? What genuine hope do we have? And how do we experience it? The short answer is: prayer. And prayer can be learned. In this episode we examine Ps. 118 as we learn how to pray deeply. 2020-06-1139 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithSuffering, Character and Hope - Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 03What most of us want amidst suffering is for the pain to end - to be quickly delivered from our distress. And it is tempting to imagine that if God loves us, this must be what he desires as well - a quick and sudden end to our hardships. Perhaps that is the hope of faith, that if we are sufficiently obedient, God will prevent our suffering in the first place (or remove it quickly)? But the Bible makes no such promises. Indeed Jesus himself insists that we will face pain. So what then is our hope...2020-05-2132 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithWhat We Know for Sure - Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 02One of the hardest parts of enduring this crisis is coping with so much uncertainty: How long will it last? Who will be affected? What about the economy? Will there be a vaccine? Who should I trust for information...? The questions can be dizzying and tempt us in some moments to grasp at any hope offered, and at others, to nearly abandon hope. In this episode, we look at the biblical promises of hope - what God does (and does not) assure to his people - so as to ground ourselves in on the bedrock of truth...2020-05-0832 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithNever Waste a Crisis! - Hope in the Time of COVID, Part 01This is the first in an entirely ad hoc series on hope and transformation and how they fit together. It is born out of the pandemic that has swept our world, and my ponderings on what defines the Christian hope and how that hope can shape the world that emerges on this other side of this crisis. This sermon is from March 15, 2020 (the first week of California's social distancing order) and looks at the theological and practical sides of loving our world in the manner of Jesus. The biblical passage referenced in this...2020-05-0632 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithWhat Does God Really Want? - 8 Questions on Life, Death, God and Faith, Part 08Isn't the main point of Christianity to be a good person (and thereby to secure my place in heaven)? I mean, if one is basically moral, reasonably charitable and occasionally saintly, doesn't that please the Almighty? Is the point to please the Almighty? Come to think of it, what IS the point of Christianity? If one were to boil it all down, what's the message of the gospel? In this episode we take up these questions and arrive at a vision of faith that goes far beyond ethics. The biblical passage referenced in this sermon...2020-03-2635 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithHow Does Sanctification Work? - 8 Questions on Life, Death, God and Faith, Part 07I know that as a Christian I am called to sanctification - to a life shaped ever more into the image of Jesus, in short, to a life of sinning less and loving more. And in some areas of my life, I see progress! But in other areas...not so much. Indeed in some facets of my life, I see almost no inner change at all, despite genuine effort. What gives? Do I just need to try harder? Really? (Frankly, much of me is ready to give up and just make peace with a besetting...2020-03-1154 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithDoes Prayer "Work"? - 8 Questions on Life, Death, God and Faith, Part 06Does prayer work? By which we mean, does prayer change anything? Is it supposed to change things? Change external circumstances? Or merely the disposition of the pray-er? And if God knows all that we need and loves us dearly, does his help depend on our prayers or the prayers of others??? In this episode our beloved Ian Farrell takes up the topic of prayer - a practice with which he is intimately familiar - and offers his insights on the purpose of prayer and the means by which prayer affects us and others. The biblical...2020-02-2842 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithSharing My Faith???? - 8 Questions on Life, Death, God and Faith, Part 05Few words in the Christian vocabulary evoke more discomfort than "evangelism" - sharing the story of Jesus in hope that another will join the community of faith. In the 21st century, such efforts can feel relationally disrespectful and intellectually...crazy. Oughtn't we let everyone have their beliefs, not seek to influence them? And do we really expect people to believe in God? The Trinity? The resurrection? Yet one cannot be a follower of Jesus and not hear the call to "make disciples." What to do...??? In this episode our beloved Rev. Ian Farrell shares his wisdom on...2020-02-2644 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithWhat Is Heaven Like? - 8 Questions on Life, Death, God and Faith, Part 04Pop culture overflows with visions of "heaven" - from floating cities with streets of gold to childlike cherubim to the white robed "saved" joyfully playing the harp unto eternity... But these images have little to do with the actual biblical portrait of life in the age to come. In this episode we examine what scripture intends to communicate about New Creation, a world set right. And, even more importantly, how this vision of salvation calls us to life today. The images referenced here: 01 The Billboard 02 Heaven/Hell Diagram 03 (Florence) Baptistry Hell 04 Heaven? 05 Heaven 2? (Raphael) 2020-02-1446 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithWhat Happens When We Die? - 8 Questions on Life, Death, God and Faith, Part 03Of all the subjects we choose to avoid, death is probably first on the list! We fear it for ourselves, and perhaps even more, we fear the pain of the loss of those we love. But at the heart of the Christian life is a discussion about death and our hope in the face of it. In this episode we examine that hope and the courage it gives us to live generously. Specifically we'll look at the tragedy of death, our confidence in the resurrection, and what happens in the time in between... ...2020-02-1149 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithWhat Does the Bible Say about __Slavery__? - 8 Questions on Life, Death, God and Faith, Part 02Name a hot topic - from abortion to refugee resettlement to gender identity - and someone in the church will declare "what the Bible says" about the matter. (And where there are 2 Christians there are usually 3 passionate, dissonant conclusions!) So how do we determine what scripture is trying to say? Or, to put it another way, how do we build a theology? How do we move from individual passages to a clear sense of God's intent? Here we'll take slavery as a case study and see what scripture is trying to say. The...2020-01-2045 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithWhy Trust the Bible? - 8 Questions on Life, Death, God and Faith, Part 01We begin this series on deep questions with a discussion of the Bible as a source of fundamental truth? Is there any reason to believe it is more authoritative on matters of God than other religious books? Or any books at all? In this episode we look beyond the Bible's self-description as "God's word" and examine the experience of those who wrote it, and our own deep experience of life to see if there is an elemental resonance between the story scripture intends to tell and what we know of life in this age. The...2020-01-1547 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithChristmas Eve 2019 - Visions of the Messiah: Sermons for Advent, Part 05Once again, Isaiah speaks of the birth of a child in connection with Israel's deliverance. But unlike the the prophesy of chapter 7 (see Ep. 278), the child described is nearly impossible identify in Isaiah's original context. Indeed, the whole of the poem moves fluidly between past, present and future, as though all three ages are existing beside each other, and all are being saved by means of a coming king. It is a very unique poem, even for ancient prophesy, and one pointing very much to a messiah. The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is: Isaiah 9:1...2020-01-0836 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithImmanuel - Visions of the Messiah: Sermons for Advent, Part 04"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Immanuel." Most of us know these words by their appearance in Matthew's telling of the Christmas story, where we tend to focus mainly on the "virgin" part- as though Matthew's point is to demonstrate that Jesus's birth is miraculous. But Matthew's intent goes much deeper, and to understand it we must first hear what Isaiah was saying in his time and place. And when we do, we get an even deeper glimpse of just how much God is with us. 2019-12-3134 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithThe Redeeming God - Visions of the Messiah: Sermons for Advent, Part 03Isaiah presents us with another poetic glimpse into God's salvation, this time describing the people of God on pilgrimage home from exile. As they travel through the desert, the redeemed of God find both themselves and the very desert around them being transformed with and by new life. It's a vision of sovereign grace, and one clearly foreshadowing the ministry of Jesus. And thus this text gives us a moment to discuss the sensus plenior (fuller meaning) of a text - a tool of great importance in biblical study, esp. in interpreting the prophets. The...2019-12-2139 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithA King of Justice and Reconciliation - Visions of the Messiah: Sermons for Advent, Part 02How far can we dream of a world set right? What can we imagine of creation on the other side of salvation? In this episode we continue our look at the vision of salvation that God provides through the prophet Isaiah. And what we see is a coming king of such justice can compassion that his reign leads to a complete transformation of creation. Enmities that we'd never dream could be healed will be reconciled. And hostilities we think are simply facts of life will be turned to life-giving friendships. In short, we get a...2019-12-1142 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithA Kingdom of Hope and Peace - Visions of the Messiah: Sermons for Advent, Part 01That God intends to save the world from the curse of sin has been clear from the very beginning of the biblical story. But it is through the 8th-century BC prophet Isaiah that God begins to reveal the specifics of how this salvation will unfold. What emerges is a vision of a coming messiah (anointed one) who will bring a radical transformation to history. And in this first of four sermons on Isaiah, we look at the peace God will establish - a peace so complete that humanity will choose to forever turn their swords and spears...2019-12-0439 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithConcluding Doxology - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part 37What more appropriate end to a letter such as Romans than a prayer, particularly a prayer in praise of God's goodness and glory? In this episode we examine Paul's closing doxology in detail and in the process review all that we have learned from him about the saving work of God. If it has the effect Paul intends, our ultimate response will be one of thankful worship expressed in carrying on the work of Jesus to the ends of the earth. The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is: Romans 16:25-27 (NRSV) ...2019-11-1136 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithPersonal Greetings and Female Apostles - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part 36As Paul approaches the conclusion of his letter, he extends personal greetings individuals in Rome. It's a list of mostly Greek names that we know little about, struggle to pronounce and are very much inclined to skip. BUT...if we take the time to examine the details, we discover a great deal about the structure of the Roman church (and the early church in general), not least the prominence of women in leadership (named apostles!) - a role that was sadly lost for centuries and needs to be reestablished! The biblical passage referenced in this...2019-11-0643 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithPaul's Plans and God's Providence - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part 35As he approaches the end of his letter, Paul turns his attention to immediate and personal matters, most particularly his plans for the future - plans for trips to Jerusalem (to deliver a financial offering) and to Spain (to proclaim the gospel). In doing so, Paul opens an important window into himself and the world of the 1st century church. But he also allows us to see - in retrospect - how God was at work in ways that even Paul did not foresee. The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is: Romans 15:14-16:2 (N...2019-10-3042 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithThe Weak and Strong in Faith - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part 34The followers of Jesus are tragically prone to argue with each other. We bicker about theology, about worship, about piety and morality, sometimes to the point of church schism (the undoing of the very community we are called to create). So it is now, and so it was for the first century Roman church. In this episode, we look at Paul's instruction to the Roman congregation regarding church unity amidst conflict, and his insistence that the mature in faith be patient, and the immature be humble. A lesson we all need! The biblical passage referenced...2019-10-2447 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithWhy and How to Love the Other - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part 33The call to love the other - the neighbor, the stranger, even the enemy - is foundational to the Christian life. But why are we to love them? And perhaps even more importantly, how? Where do we find the mean to love those with whom we have no natural bond or affection, or perhaps those who would do us harm? In this episode we examine Paul's instruction on the love of other and how it is to be achieved. The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is: Romans 13:8-14 (NRSV) Want more content f...2019-10-1444 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithChurch and State - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part 32The foundational confession of Christianity is that Jesus is Lord (and thus Caesar is not). So what are Christian to do with Caesar? What role has the civil government? In this episode Paul takes up the question of the relationship between the church and the state and arrives - as you might expect - at a very nuanced answer. Civil government is ordained by God, but that does not mean every governor is a divine appointee. How Christians are to navigate the distinction is the subject of this sermon. The biblical passage referenced in this...2019-10-0249 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithA Very Present Help in Trouble - Psalm 46Sometimes life hands us the worst case scenario. This is a sermon about those moments and where we can find hope. It is not a sermon of platitude or cheap advice, but a deep look at scripture's own articulation of hope as found in Psalm 46. It's a poem none of us wants to need. But when we need it, we are so grateful for its presence. If you'd like to read the poem, you can find it here: Psalm 46 (NRSV) Want more content from Jesus at 2AM?? Learn how to become a p...2019-09-2540 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithLove Genuinely - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part 31It will come as no surprise that, as Paul turns his attention to daily Christian living, love once again takes center stage. Having allowed our minds to be shaped by the Holy Spirit, now we are to live out the love of God toward others in some very specific ways. In this episode Paul details the manner of love that befits the Christian life - a manner which turns out to mirror the very love of Christ. The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is: Romans 12:9-21 (NRSV) Want more content from Jesus a...2019-08-2838 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithHow, Then, Should We Live? - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part 30Having revolutionized Hebrew theology, Paul now turns his attention to practice - how we are to live as the people of God for whom future salvation is breaking into the present, people who possess the Holy Spirit in our individual and collective center. And Paul's answer begins with nothing less than the very transformations of our minds. In this episode, guest preacher Joe Haley takes us through the passage that begins Paul's new section on Christian living in the real world. The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is: Romans 12:1-8 (NRSV) Want m...2019-08-1542 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithDoes Jesus Save Everyone? - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part 29At last we arrive at the ultimate question: Who is saved? We know by now that the answer is "the elect" (those whom God chooses to save). But who are the elect? Does God simply pick some for salvation (and either actively or passively choose others for damnation)? Does God turn the question back on us and let us determine for ourselves? Or is there a way in which God saves...everyone? In this episode we examine the conclusion to Paul's explanation of the salvation of the world and who is included. The...2019-08-0748 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithGod and His Olive Tree - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part 28The last piece in the puzzle of the salvation of the world is answering the question of who constitutes "the saved." For most of biblical history, the assumed answer was: Israel. But now, on the other side of the resurrection, a strange thing is happening: Gentiles are coming to faith (Paul's surest sign of salvation) en masse, while most of Israel is not. What are we to make of it all? In this episode Paul continues his explanation of God's saving intent with the analogy of an olive tree... The biblical passage referenced...2019-07-3144 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithThe Saved Remnant of Israel - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part 27So, has God rejected his covenant people (thereby calling his faithfulness into question)??? Today we begin to see that the answer is no. And to explain what is happening with Israel's seeming rejecting of Jesus, Paul turns to the Hebrew scripture's theme of a "saved remnant." There is, says Paul, a subset of Israel set apart for faith. And through that remnant God is working out the salvation of us all. It is a brilliant piece of biblical interpretation and sensitivity to God that will inspire you. The biblical passage referenced in this...2019-07-2540 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithConnecting the Dots in God's Plan of Salvation - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part 26For those of us who’ve spent years in Christianity, the connection between the promises of God to Israel, the visions of the prophets, the ministry of Jesus and the mission of the church may seem (somewhat) clear. But that is only because Paul has made them clear! In this episode we look at an example of biblical interpretation par excellence, as Paul weave together strands of the scriptures never connected before, but once seen, reveal God's coherent plan for the salvation of the world. The biblical passages referenced in this sermon are: Romans 10:14-21...2019-07-2244 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithGentles In, Israel Out??? (Election Cont'd) - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part 25As Paul continues his discussion of salvation by election, it seems there has come a tremendous reversal: Gentiles (non-Jews) are coming to faith (the sign of election) in Christ, while most of ethnic Israel (heirs of the covenant promise of salvation) is not. What explains this turn of events? What mistake (if any) is Israel making? And does it all boil down to the classical Protestant debate between "faith" and "works"? Or is there still more to understand about the breath of God's redemptive purposes? The biblical passages referenced in this sermon are: Romans 9:30-1...2019-07-1849 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithWill the Potter Destroy the Pot? (Election Cont'd) - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part 24Paul now turns to the seeming contradiction between justice and election. If one is saved only by God's sovereign choice, where is the justice in divine condemnation? It is a debate as old as theology and pivotal in the development of Western Christianity. While reminding humans of the need for humility before the divine will, Paul develops the analogy of a potter and his clay: Does clay have a claim to justice before a potter? The short answer is no, but perhaps there is a story behind the story... The biblical passages referenced in...2019-07-1540 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithWho Is Included in God's Salvation? (Doctrine of Election) - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part 23From soaring heights of hope, Paul plunges dramatically to near despair as he now turns his attention to Israel and her collective lack of faith. After all, if, as Paul has argued, faith is the ultimate sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit at one's center, and the Spirit the sign and seal of our inclusion in the community of God's salvation, what is to be made of Israel's rejection of Jesus? Can it mean that Israel has been cut off from the covenant? And if so what does is say about their election???2019-07-0942 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithHope, Hope and More Hope! - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part 22If you are looking for hope, you have come to the right place! In this episode we arrive at Paul's unequivocal declaration that there is nothing, truly nothing, that can separate God's people from his love. Nothing in life, nothing in death, nothing of any earthly ruler or spiritual power...nothing. Indeed so sovereign the God of love, that he can make all things work together for our ultimate good. Amen! It has been deep intellectual work to get here, but now we see the payoff: utter confidence in grace! The biblical passage referenced in...2019-07-0146 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithThe Future Made Present - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part 21In this part 2 (of 2) on Rom. 8:12-27, we look at the future dimension of salvation - what will occur at the end of the age as a result of the cross. And in so doing, we discover that the future is breaking into the present. While the vestiges of the old age (the reign of sin) endure, the future age of salvation has also begun. And thus the Christian life is lived in an overlap of two ages (which both explains the inner tension of the life of faith, and the need for both endurance and discernment!). ...2019-06-2747 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithPutting Sin to Death...Healthfully - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part 20This sermon is part 1 of 2 on Rom. 8:12-27, a critical passage in the letter, as Paul makes a transition from his discussion of how God has been active across history (including the cross) to accomplish our rescue, to how we are to live in the present age of the church. In particular, Paul discusses our new manner of life with the Holy Spirit at our center (where our Adam-ness once ruled). We know that we are to put sin to death. But how? And are there unhealthy manners of ridding sin from our lives? (Yes!) ...2019-06-2446 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithFrom Death in Sin to Life in Christ! - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part 19What is the way out of humanity's captivity to sin? And what assurance do we have that we, personally, are included in God's project of salvation? In this episode, we take up these two critical questions as Paul explains the manner in which we have truly died to sin, and been raised, already, with Christ to new life. It is Paul's first major discussion of the Holy Spirit in Romans and a dimension of our salvation to which we often pay too little attention. But when we do, the result is a new lease on...2019-06-2046 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithThe Weakness of the Will - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part 18We humans place too much confidence in willpower, particularly where the spiritual life is concerned. We imagine that what stands between us and true shalom is a greater internal effort. If only we could try harder, be more devout...we could make grand strides towards righteousness. In this episode we look at Paul's critical insight that volition is no antidote to sin (as our inability to Torah obey Torah proves!). Indeed, Torah's ultimate role was to bring sin starkly into the open where it can be healed - by grace alone! The biblical passage referenced...2019-06-1740 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithThe Deadly Paradox of Torah - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part 17So often we imagine that the road to holiness is marked out by the Law; that God's moral command is the key to reducing sin and increasing love in our lives. And thus our tendency to return to piety and legalism as strategies for intimacy with God. But, as Paul has already argued, the Law is powerless to accomplish this purpose! In this episode we examine Paul's exhortation for Christians to regard themselves as dead to sin, and why such regard is the only way to holiness. The biblical passage referenced in this...2019-06-1341 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithA Return to Slavery? - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part 16We humans have an incredible longing to return to Egypt. That is to say, to return to the land of our captivity, even after we have been set free. As harmful as it may have been, it was home...for a long time. And learning to manage freedom is harder than it looks. It was true for historical Israel, and it is true for us. Through Christ, we have been set free from our bondage to sin. And yet we have a strong propensity to return. In this episode Paul explains what such returns look...2019-06-1038 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithANNOUNCEMENT: Video + More Coming to Jesus at 2AM!!!I'm so grateful for all the success that Jesus at 2AM has had, and at last I am ready to do more! For years, you've been asking for additional resources - everything from video, to community forums, to individual spiritual direction. And after much work to discern the best way to make it happen, today I get to announce my new partnership with Patreon! You can hear all the details of what lies ahead in this special episode of the podcast. And when you're finished, would you take a moment to check out my new...2019-06-0608 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithBaptism and the Exodus from Sin - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part 15Here we come to a question that every Christian has, at some point, asked: If we have been saved by grace, forgiven in a manner that can never be revoked, why not continue in sin??? I mean, if sin is where all the fun is, can't I have the good times free of the consequences? It's a tempting proposition. And Paul's response may not be what we expected... The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is: Romans 6:1-11 (NRSV) Want to connect? You can send e-mail here. Or find me on Fa...2019-05-3139 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithThe Sin of Adam and the Grace of God - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part 14How did sin enter the world? And how is grace sin's antidote? In this episode we arrive at Paul's great declaration of ultimate hope: "where sin abounded, grace abounded all the more." And we see how Adam's sin - while affecting all creation - is overcome by Jesus's faithfulness. In short, here is where we see most clearly that love is the name of the game. The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is: Romans 5:12-21 (NRSV) Want to connect? You can send e-mail here. Or find me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.2019-05-1539 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithWhence Hope? - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part 13What is the source of our hope? Not hope in the sense of optimism, but hope as in the certainty of the salvation of the world. Rome offered a version of hope, one that empires continue to promise to this day. But it is a hope that can never be fulfilled, because it is rooted in the false belief that power brings security. In this episode we examine Paul's vision of hope - one rooted in the goodness of God - against the backdrop of the Roman Empire and discover how we can even hope...2019-05-1038 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithFaith Like Abraham - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part 12That salvation comes to us by grace alone is extraordinarily difficult to comprehend. One way or another, we humans find a work we think we can perform to turn God's rescue into something we can control. It's a dynamic Paul understands all too well. And to snap us out of it, he returns to his example of Abraham - saved simply by the sovereign will of God. And what results from election is faith - a faith that transforms Abraham and can transform us. This episode is intellectually thick but worth the effort. 2019-04-2448 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithSaved Like Abraham - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part 11For Paul there has only ever been one means of salvation: election. And to make his case, he appeals to the story of Abraham (Israel's patriarch), who received salvation as a promise, and for who responded in faith. In this episode we further examine the relationship between election and faith and what it means to have faith "reckoned as righteousness." It is also a look at God intent to include all creation in his plan of redemption. The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is: Romans 4:1-8 (NRSV) Want to connect? You can s...2019-04-1642 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithSalvation by Faith Re-Examined - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part 10Salvation by faith alone is one of the central pillars of Reformed theology - a doctrine based in no small measure on Paul's declaration in 3:28 "that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law." (This, of course, has only led to endless debates about what, then, constitutes "saving faith"). But what Paul meant and what the Reformers thought he meant don't totally align. In this episode we re-examine what, precisely Paul intended to communicate about the means of salvation. The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is: Romans 3:27-31 (N...2019-04-1231 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithWhat Happened at the Cross (Atonement Explained) - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part 09The central claim of Christianity is that, in Jesus, God has accomplished all that is required for the salvation of the world. And, in particular, that this was accomplished through the cross and resurrection. It was there that Christ made atonement for this sins of the world. In this episode we look at the Paul's understanding of the atonement and do our best to explain how the death of one man accomplishes the the salvation of us all. The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is: Romans 3:21-26 (NRSV) Want to co...2019-04-0847 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithThe Saving Part! - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part 08 (Easter 2018)At last we arrive at the announcement of salvation. Though humanity stands utterly mired in sin, God himself will provide the means of our salvation. In one act, God will both justly fulfill the covenant promise to Abraham, and accomplish the proper judgment of sin (and thereby overcome it). That act: the cross. In this episode (part 1 of 2 on the atonement) we put the pieces of Paul's argument together and see that the sacrifice of Christ is the end to which God had been working all along. The biblical passage referenced in th...2019-04-0336 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithAll in the Dock - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part 07Here Paul concludes the argument he has been developing for 2.5 chapters: everyone stands utterly guilty before God. There is no excuse to be made, no special status to be conferred, humanity is rightly deserving of God's just wrath. It is the news we must hear if we are to truly take in what comes next: grace! The sermon is brilliant and preached by our regular contributor, the Rev. Mike Regele. With this one you are in for an intellectual and spiritual treat! The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is: Romans 3:9-20 (NRSV) Wa...2019-03-2939 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithFaith, Faithfulness and Steadfast Love - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part 06If Israel is humanity in microcosm, and Israel has not only failed in her covenant obligations, but the very signs of her belonging to God (circumcision and Torah) only further testify to her unfaithfulness, what hope is left of salvation? Surely the rest of humanity would fare no better were the covenant given to another. In this episode we look at the relationship between humanity's failure and God's faithfulness, and the real foundation of the salvation of the world... The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is: Romans 3:1-8 (NRSV) Want to connect? Y...2019-03-2033 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithBut, Circumcision! - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part 05Nothing was more elemental to Jewish identity, nor more distinguishing of the boundary between Jew and Gentile than circumcision. It was a mark, in the flesh, of one's belonging (or not) to the people of YHWH, long before obedience to Torah was possible. Yet Paul here Paul declares that even circumcision is of no special value in bringing one near to God. It is a circumcision of the heart that matters, not flesh. A declaration that opens to door for all humanity to share the inheritance of Israel. The biblical passage referenced in this sermon...2019-03-0436 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithBut, Torah! - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part 04In order to show us the fullness of what Jesus has accomplished at the cross, Paul takes us into an argument with his former self (the zealous Pharisee). The subject: Torah. For it was Israel's long-held belief that Torah served as something of a protection against sin and its full consequences. And that belief turns out to be an idol Paul must fully demolish (and he does) in order to then reveal the heights of Gods' grace. The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is: Romans 2:12-24 (NRSV) Want to connect? Y...2019-02-2742 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithEqual Justice - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part 03In a move of rhetorical brilliance (as many in Romans are)! Paul takes the judgmentalism he has just provoked in his readers and turns it back upon themselves (i.e., us!). Whatever speck we may wish to pluck from our neighbor's eye, we must first contend with the plank in our own. But this is more than a morality lesson. As Paul moves deeper into an understanding of divine judgment, a paradox begins to form - justice, it seems, is a two-edged sword, simultaneously a means of salvation and of condemnation. The biblical passage referenced...2019-02-1835 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithHomosexuality and Paul's Indictment Against the Pagans - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part 02Few controversies have raised more ire and ugliness in the contemporary church than the debate about the place (or lack thereof) of homosexual relationships within the community of faith (and the larger culture). And at the center of that debate are Paul's words in Romans 1:18-32. In this episode we examine this highly charged passage - what Paul intended and how it both does and does not speak to the arguments the church is having today. The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is: Romans 1:18-32 (NRSV) Also referenced is Mike Regele's book, S...2019-02-1534 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithPaul, a Slave of King Jesus... - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part 01 (The Letter Opening)"Paul, a slave of King Jesus, called to be an appointed messenger, set apart for the announcing of the news of God’s victory." With these words Paul opened his letter to the church at Rome and set the course of Christian theology. In this episode we examine Paul's letter opening in light of the literary conventions of his day and how he both adheres to cultural norms and radically transforms our understanding of the world around us. We also discover the mind of a genius and the heart of a saint. T...2019-02-0141 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithJustice, Glory and Peace - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part 00In this episode we look not at Paul, but at the city to which he wrote - the capital of the greatest empire the world had ever known. It was a time of stability and strength and Rome was in the mood to make promises - not least the promises of justice, glory and peace (the Pax Romana). If only one would pledge loyalty to the empire, the benefits would be manifold. It's to the center of this world that Paul will write to declare a new kingdom - one with similar promises and competing...2019-01-2442 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithThe Revealing of 3 Kings (Epiphany)We are all familiar with nativity scenes- Mary and Joseph tend to the infant Jesus as animals and shepherds look on, and in the distance we see traveling magi, bearing their gifts, following a star... It's a peaceful scene filled with both love and wonder. And it bears some resemblance to the biblical story. But the birth of Jesus is a fundamentally disruptive event that stirs both the cosmic and political orders, and brings hidden truths to light. And revelation is a powerful thing... The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is: Matt. 2:1:12 (NRSV) 2019-01-2243 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithFinding God While...Waiting (Jesuit Contemplation Revisited)We all have seasons in life in which we are waiting...: Waiting on the next chapter to unfold, waiting something to make sense...waiting for God to take action! The wait can be excruciating at times, especially when we feel that God is silent. In this episode we look at what to do in those moments - namely the Jesuit practice of "contemplating" scripture, a means by which we learn to hear God's word to US. Want more on the contemplation stuff? Find it in my Loving God 101 series, parts 11 and 12. T...2019-01-1647 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithWhat Is God Like? (Christmas Eve 2018)We all carry an picture of God - his power, nature, "personality"... Mine was, for many years, an academic one, formed with the Latin words of the long-dead philosophers we studied in school. And that image did great things for my GPA! Until, one day, that same picture rendered me useless to a scared, 6-yr-old cancer patient. As she saw it, cancer was proof of God's anger. When I said, "I don't think God is like that." She said, "Then what is God like...?" And it has taken me 20-years to find my answer. The biblical passage r...2019-01-1128 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithGod with Us - Waiting Faithfully: Psalms for Advent, Part 4 (Ps. 139)Amidst the wait for God's salvation, one can begin to doubt that it will ever come. Perhaps we have believed in vain? Or trusted in a promise that will not be fulfilled? I think the thought crosses the mind of every person of faith. So where do we go when we need assurance? Where do we look for signs of God's present love? In this episode we examine one poet's answer in the form of Psalm 139. It turns out to be quite persuasive.... The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is: ...2019-01-0737 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithThe Song of a Joyful Heart - Waiting Faithfully: Psalms for Advent, Part 3 (Ps. 103)Advent is a pensive season, a time of active reflection on our need for a savior. And that reflection on a needful world can, at times, lead to the false conclusion that the true life of faith is one of mild depression - sharing the pain of the world with only a distant hope of redemption. But that is not God's intent! There is much joy to be found even in a broken creation and in this episode we examine one poet's experience of it - a psalm of blessing and rejoicing in a God who is...2019-01-0537 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithFinding Peace - Waiting Faithfully: Psalms for Advent, Part 2 (Ps. 23)Peace is an endangered species. From the violence of war, to our conflicted politics, to the internal battle for rest and quiet within our self, peace feels more elusive than ever. And in quest to find it, to have it, we are tempted to believe that the way to peace inwardly is to first establish peace outwardly. When the chaos and hostility have been tamed out there, I can finally rest in my soul. When in fact the opposite is true. Peace out there begins with peace in me. And that peace comes only from God. In...2018-12-1442 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithA Song of Hope - Waiting Faithfully: Psalms for Advent, Part 1 (Ps. 33)Hope is essential to a life of love. But it can be hard to come by, especially when so much that matters to us is outside of our control. In this episode we look honestly at the difficulty of hope and how we regain it. In particular, we turn to the psalms (a constant guide to connection with God), and how one Hebrew poet found his way back to comfort and assurance in the goodness of God. If you'd like to read the e-mail sent to the Canvas congregation about the practice of the daily office, just C...2018-12-0739 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithPaul the Apostle to the Gentiles - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part -1We have already witnessed a radical transformation in Paul - from zealous persecutor of the church to faithful Christian. But there is more to come. Paul is called by God to be an apostle (lit. "a sent one"), not to his fellow Jews, but specifically to the Gentile world. It is a mission that revolutionizes his theology, and reveals for him a depth of God's salvation he could never have otherwise imagined. In this episode we examine the Gentile mission and its essential role in the saving of the world. The b...2018-11-1544 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithPaul the Saint - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part -2How does one go from being the church's greatest persecutor to its greatest advocate? The short answer, in Paul's own words, is: grace. In this episode, we examine this most central theme in Paul's theology. What exactly is "grace"? How do we experience it? And is it a new development in God's character, or has the God of Israel been demonstrating grace all along? If you've ever sought a deeper understanding of the Christian conception of grace, this is the episode for you. The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is: Gal. 1:11...2018-11-1236 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithPaul the Zealot - Romans: How God Saved the World, Part -3The letter to the church at Rome - essentially a treatise on the saving work of God across history - is the Apostle Paul's magnum opus and one of the great works of Western literature. It is so profound in its insight and broad in application that we are tempted to read it apart from its context. But it is the work of a very human author, whose internal and external life must be understood. In this prologue to Romans, we meet Paul, the once notorious Saul of Tarsus - zealot and Pharisee. 2018-11-0743 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithLet the Lord Go with Us - Exodus: Life in God's Hands, Part 17 (Conclusion)One of the most difficult elements of the spiritual life to accept is that humans are inherently bad at it. That is not to say we cannot make progress (we surely can!). But for every three steps forward there are two in reverse. That's simply how it is. And it is a journey God accepts. What's more, God willfully chooses to walk it with us. And seeing that truth - the enduring presence of God amongst his very "stiff-necked" people- turns out to make all the difference in our day-to-day relationship. The biblical passage referenced in this...2018-10-2645 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithThou Shalt Not Attempt Self-Sufficiency - Exodus: Life in God's Hands, Part 16 (Sabbath) The divine commandment of sabbath is stunning and without parallel in the Ancient Near East. Yet YHWH regularly repeats the command to rest and connects it with the covenant bond between Israel and God (so critical was it to God that laboring on the sabbath could be a capital offense!). In this episode we examine both the divine call to work and to rest, and why it is that God (contrary to what we often suspect) literally forbids maximizing our human output - in our own service or in his. The biblical passage re...2018-10-1940 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithYHWH the Sojourner - Exodus: Life in God's Hands, Part 15 (Offering for the Tabernacle)Unheard of in the ancient world was a deity who travelled with his people. There were gods of particular regions (and within those regions lesser deities who controlled the wind here or the rain there), but a god so tied to his people that he sojourned with them, never. Until YHWH called Israel. In this episode we examine the depth of the bond between YHWH and Israel and God's commitment to be present. We also look at the first offering taken, one to build God's "tabernacle" - a voluntary act of giving! The b...2018-10-0837 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithObligations to the Powerless - Exodus: Life in God's Hands, Part 14 (The Mishpatim, Part 2)2018-10-0339 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithEstablishing Justice - Exodus: Life in God's Hands, Part 13 (The Mishpatim)One of the most striking aspects of Israel's God is his concern for human interactions. We've seen this already in the 10 Commandments and YHWH's insistence that his people be marked by justice. But God does not stop a broad principles. In this episode (the first of two), we look at what's known as "The Mishpatim" - the civil law that is to govern day-to-day affairs amongst God's people. It give a remarkable look at God's character and the quality of life that is to define his holy nation. The biblical passage referenced in this sermon...2018-09-3039 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithThe Law of the Land - Exodus: Life in God's Hands, Part 12 (The 10 Commandments)Unlike the covenant with Abraham, the covenant at Sinai comes with stipulations - obligations which, if met, lead to blessing, but, if ignored, lead to punishment. The most critical of these stipulations we know as the 10 Commandments. In this episode we examine what these commandments actually command and how they function in light of the larger Sinai covenant, in later Judaism, and in the church of the 21st century. The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is: Exodus 19:16-20:21 (NRSV) Want to connect? You can send e-mail here. Or find me on ...2018-09-2547 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithA New Covenant - Exodus: Life in God's Hands, Part 11 (Israel Arrives at Sinai)After 40 days in the wilderness, Israel arrives at Mt. Sinai. And it is there the next stage of their growth as God's people begins. It is at Sinai that she is consecrated, and there that God establishes a new covenant - a contract that binds Israel to obedience. YHWH will be her king and she will live out a unique identity in the world - distinct from all other peoples. The question will become: What happens if Israel cannot fulfill her end of the deal? The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is: Exodus 19:1...2018-09-2037 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithLetting Go of Egypt - Exodus: Life in God's Hands, Part 10 (Manna in the Wilderness)Letting go of Egypt - saying goodbye to the past, to the familiar, to habit (however deadly it may have been) - is one of the most difficult tasks of the life of faith. And it is one of the primary purposes of the wilderness. In this episode we find Israel 3-days into her exodus journey, already longing for the (comforts?) of Egypt and questioning - again - the goodness of God. It is a deeply honest look at the human condition, as Israel discovers once more that her God is with her (and with...2018-09-1439 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithInto the Wilderness - Exodus: Life in God's Hands, Part 09 (Israel's Discipleship Begins)Israel has been saved by the mighty hand of God!...only to find herself in the "wilderness." (Always in scripture, a place representing isolation, emptiness, and fear.) It's not quite the picture of deliverance she had in mind. And yet, as Israel will discover, the wilderness is where the best spiritual formation happens. It is there that we are forced to confront our complete dependence upon God and God alone. And it is in the wilderness that God meets us with compassion and with a new call to his service. The biblical passage...2018-09-1138 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithRehearsing Salvation - Exodus: Life in God's Hands, Part 08 (Israel's Praise)One of the great lessons Israel has to teach us is how to respond to salvation, what to do when we have been rescued. Israel's response? A psalm of praise. But this is not just a song about the powers and virtues of God, giving The Almighty his due. Rather, the poem is a means of both expressing thanks and memorializing events. It allows Israel to deepen her relationship with God in the present and to rehearse the events of salvation in the future (as many moments of desperation are yet to come). The biblical...2018-09-0543 min
Jesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithThe Difficulty of Believing in a Truly Loving God - Luke, Part 18Love is hard to believe. For all our longing for love, all of our hope that love wins..., to actually trust in love when it is offered is incredibly difficult, especially when the offer comes from God. In this episode we look at Jesus's encounter with a notorious "sinner" and the lesson it offers in the breadth of God's grace, a breadth even the most learned theologians of Jesus's day could not fathom. Luke very carefully arranges this story to ensure we understand it is a lesson in the depth of love available to us...2017-09-1930 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithSharing Joy - Advent 2014, Part 3This episode is particularly personal to me. “Joy” is not a primary Winslow trait. Hard work, honesty, responsibility, service to others…these are virtues I know well. And to the degree that the Bible calls Christians to “rejoice,” I did my best to be optimistic for Jesus (whatever that means). Often what it really meant was […]2015-04-1139 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithGod’s Saving Wrath (Interpreting the Harvest) - Understanding the Bible 51Kirk’s 2nd Rule of Biblical Study: Attend to the context! That is to say, we must always keep in mind the historical, literary, social…elements that underly any passage of scripture (or any ancient literature). And Revelation 14 is one of the chief examples of why. Without understanding the context, Rev. 14 is one of the […]2014-11-1442 minJesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithJesus at 7PM – Live Audience Q&A in Irvine, CAHonest answers to sincere questions are essential to the work of love. Indeed the lessons that have been most formative in my spiritual life have not come from books and lectures (important though they are!), but from the candid conversations that came at the cafe or in the parking lot after the formal lesson was […]2013-11-131h 07Jesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of FaithMy Only Comfort (Sermon) – Ash Wednesday 2012Why I hate Ash Wednesday, the illegality of death in Irvine, and the comfort of Psalm 23. 2012-02-2816 min