This week I posted a brief review of N.T. Wright’s latest release, titled Simply Jesus. In the concluding chapter of the book Wright made one of the best statements on worship that I’ve read in a long time. Check this out: “All kingdom work is rooted in worship. Or, to put it the other way…
Month: December 2011
Book Review: Simply Jesus
My first exposure to N.T. Wright came through a graduate school class on the atonement. As we discussed the implications of the resurrection of Christ, Bert Dominy quoted a profound statement made by Wright in his book Jesus and the Victory of God. “The cross of Christ was not a defeat reversed by the resurrection,”…
Book Review: Craddock on the Craft of Preaching
Of the many benefits I received through completing my Doctor of Ministry program, none had a more profound impact than being exposed to the writings of Fred Craddock. Craddock’s story is interesting. He was a New Testament professor that was called upon to teach homiletics. Without any advanced training in teaching preaching, Craddock undertook the…
What would Joseph say? (part 4)
In many ways, Joseph is the forgotten man of Christmas. We gloss over his role, giving him little consideration for being the man he was. We find not one single quotation from his lips in the gospel record. But without question, his life spoke then and continues to speak now. So far I have posted…
What would Joseph say? (part 3)
So far from the Christmas story we have observed some important principles. Joseph, the silent teacher, reminds us through his actions that God may call upon us to make sacrificial commitments that can only be fulfilled through His grace and strength. In addition, Joseph underscores the fact that in God’s kingdom we are all part…
What would Joseph say? (part 2)
This week I’ve been posting reflections from Joseph’s unique perspective on the nativity. Joseph is a silent character in the Bible, having no quotations attributed to him. If he were to have spoken regarding his experiences, what would he say? Here’s the next excerpt from the text, “But after he had considered these things, an…
What would Joseph say? (part 1)
If Joseph were given opportunity, what might he say about his role in the Christmas story? The first thing he might say is that God may call upon you to make a commitment that can only be fulfilled by God’s grace. Check out Matthew 1:18-29, “The birth of Jesus came about this way: After His…
The Forgotten Man of Christmas
One of our family traditions is to read the Christmas story with our family before we open presents on Christmas morning. As we read the story from Matthew and Luke, our children divide up the characters in our nativity scene and put the figures in place as they appear in the narrative. Nativity scenes are…
