Category Archives: On the way to Sunday’s sermon

Making Paul Go Away

Posted on June 29, 2012 by PaulVK

In Paul’s second missionary journey a definite pattern emerges. It isn’t so much a pattern of his enemies. If you’re keeping score Luke is remarkably even handed here with respect to the opposition. Sometimes Jews side with Paul or come … Continue reading →

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Paul in Philippi Joyfully Bears Jesus’ Substitutionary Cross and Shares in his Vindication

Posted on June 21, 2012 by PaulVK

Trouble Finds Him Paul having released the slave woman from her bondage to the python spirit now has to face her earthly masters. According to Luke, Paul and Silas are physically assaulted by the her owners and brought before the … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Reflection, On the way to Sunday's sermon, Understanding the Bible | Tagged | 3 Comments

The Philippian Slave Woman casts Paul as the Unjust Judge of Luke 18

Posted on June 21, 2012 by PaulVK

Here Comes Trouble After Paul accepts Lydia’s benefaction and he and his party (Timothy, Silas and Luke) are received into her home in the city of Philippi.  As seems to be the case of Paul if he isn’t causing trouble … Continue reading →

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Lydia is to Paul with Women, as Cornelius was to Peter with Gentiles

Posted on June 15, 2012 by PaulVK

Egalitarian FAIL As an egalitarian society we like to assert that we have no pecking orders, but none of us believe it. We know that in any community or context, there are pecking orders. There are people with power and … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture commentary, On the way to Sunday's sermon, Understanding the Bible | Tagged | 2 Comments

The Banality of Ministry

Posted on June 8, 2012 by PaulVK

Lottery Winners Church planters are an exciting breed of cat. They are filled with enthusiasm and drive. They overflow with visions of the church finally done right and whole cities renewed. In most cases this lasts until they actually start, … Continue reading →

Posted in Institutional Church, On the way to Sunday's sermon, Wisdom | Tagged | 2 Comments

My Case for a Holy Hypocrisy

Posted on June 1, 2012 by PaulVK

“The church is full of hypocrites” I regularly see Gandhi’s famous Christ quote on a bumper sticker at my child’s school. “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” Fair enough. … Continue reading →

Posted in CRC, Culture commentary, Institutional Church, On the way to Sunday's sermon, Understanding the Bible | 4 Comments

The Liability of Election

Posted on May 11, 2012 by PaulVK

Continuing my thoughts on the second Sabbath for Paul and Barnabas in Pisidian-Antioch in Acts 13. Jews Resist, Gentiles Grab hold of One of the interesting aspects of the passage (as we’ll see repeated again and again in Acts) is … Continue reading →

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Envy and God’s Lack of Intervention

Posted on May 10, 2012 by PaulVK

The Story In Acts 13 when Paul and Barnabas respond to a request from Sergius Paulus to hear the message they are bringing Elymas, a Jewish Magi stands in their way. Elymas is struck with blindness and Sergius Paulus is … Continue reading →

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The Punitive Work of the Holy Spirit

Posted on April 27, 2012 by PaulVK

Paul vs. Elymas As I mentioned in previous posts I’m spending the week pondering the story of Paul’s confrontation with Bar-Jesus/Elymas in Cyprus at the beginning of his first missionary journey. Luke takes great pains to emphasize the presence, power … Continue reading →

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The God Who Weeds

Posted on April 25, 2012 by PaulVK

On All About Android this week one of the reviewers shared a game called Babel Rising where you are God and you can smite men building the tower of Babel. Ron Richards was having a great time with it. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture commentary, On the way to Sunday's sermon | 1 Comment