Jesus’ disciple Peter once asked Jesus if he, Peter, should forgive someone seven times. Peter was on to something here. Peter was thinking about repentance the right way, that proper repentance will likely require multiple applications of repentance. (See Matthew 18:21) Peter is thinking about forgiveness from the perspective of the person who has beenContinue reading “Repentance leads to forgiveness and social justice – Advent 2022, Week 2, Part 5”
Tag Archives: repentance
The power of the words “I am sorry” – Advent 2022, Week 2, Part 3
In our study of John’s preaching in Matthew 3, so far this week we’ve learned that he called people to repent. We also learned that repentance is often predicated by sorrow. But sorrow is not repentance. Instead, we learned the repentance is an action. What action? As we continue reading in Matthew 3, look atContinue reading “The power of the words “I am sorry” – Advent 2022, Week 2, Part 3″
Repenting is action – Advent 2022, Week 2, Part 2
I’ve been teaching a theology class this fall, and repentance was a topic we covered. It was interesting how many of the students missed this active dynamic of repentance. Actually, it seems many of them confused repentance with sorrow and confession. Those terms are certainly related to repentance, cousins maybe. As we learned in theContinue reading “Repenting is action – Advent 2022, Week 2, Part 2”
Air Force 1 and repentance – Advent 2022, Week 2, Part 1
I have a friend who is like John the Baptist. He is a pilot in the US Air Force. In addition to his primary duty flying planes, my friend has served on the Air Force’s advance team for Air Force One, the specially-fitted jumbo jet that the US President uses to fly all over theContinue reading “Air Force 1 and repentance – Advent 2022, Week 2, Part 1”
How evangelicals have given God a bad reputation and what we can do about it – Ezekiel 38 & 39, Part 5
Are there any ways in which we, though we claim to be Christians, are living in opposition to the way of Jesus? Are there any ways in which we are sullying his name and reputation? The more I walk through this life, the more I am concerned that there are many ways we evangelicals, especially,Continue reading “How evangelicals have given God a bad reputation and what we can do about it – Ezekiel 38 & 39, Part 5”
Does your life need a U-turn? – Ezekiel 14, Part 5
Is there any way you might be heading in the wrong direction? Maybe it is obvious and you know it, but you are plowing ahead anyway. Maybe it is not so obvious, and you suspect it, and in your moments of quietness you long for something different, but you don’t really believe it is possibleContinue reading “Does your life need a U-turn? – Ezekiel 14, Part 5”
A curious case of God making a prophet sin? – Ezekiel 14, Part 4
Long ago I attended a church’s Sunday School class in which the teacher claimed that God is in control of everything, which includes creating and causing human sin, and then punishing humans for the sin. I found that very strange and wrong. I questioned the teacher, but he explained that God is holy and perfect,Continue reading “A curious case of God making a prophet sin? – Ezekiel 14, Part 4”
How to change, when change seems impossible – Colossians 3:5-11, Part 5
Have you ever felt like the guy in the picture? He seems afraid to take off the mask. Changing ourselves can be very difficult, even when we want to change. But it is possible. Keep reading to discover how. Today we conclude our study through Colossians 3:5-11, which we started here. In verse 10, PaulContinue reading “How to change, when change seems impossible – Colossians 3:5-11, Part 5”
Do Americans need to repent? – Current Events 2020 Q1 – Affordable Housing, Part 4
Are Americans like the Israelites in Amos’ day? Are we wealthy? Are we a religious people? And yet are we oppressing others? First, let’s consider our wealth. The Israelites in Amos day were riding a wave of wealth. When you compare Americans with so many places around the world, we are wealthy. For the mostContinue reading “Do Americans need to repent? – Current Events 2020 Q1 – Affordable Housing, Part 4”
God’s road construction project [Second Sunday of Advent, Part 4]
Road construction, as we said in part 1 of this series on the Lectionary readings for the Second Sunday of Advent, is usually a nuisance. Today we learn that God wants to do a major road construction project. Will it be a nuisance? Do we need it? Let’s move to the third reading, Luke 3:1-6,Continue reading “God’s road construction project [Second Sunday of Advent, Part 4]”
Engaging Scripture 