Part XLVII Matthew: The Meaning of the Passion opens into the Meaning of Resurrection

The drama of the cross races towards its conclusion. It is a story that runs counter to the cultural expectations. Shaped by the “Servant” figure, drawn from II Isaiah, …

Part XLII Matthew – Identifying the Sources of the Passion Narrative

If we can demonstrate that Jesus never spoke the words, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” from the cross, but that rather the earliest gospel writers, …

Part XXVII Matthew: Sukkoth, Jewish Thanksgiving Day

Matthew Shifts the Emphasis from Crops to Converts; From Harvest to Judgment

Our study last week has helped to make it obvious, I hope, that Matthew borrowed …

The Penn State Tragedy Highlights the Catholic Church’s Failure

At first the details sounded painfully familiar.  It was, the defendants said, a matter of misplaced loyalties, of valuing the reputation of the institution above all other considerations.  This …

“Think Different – Accept Uncertainty” Part V: The Traditional Religious Definition of Human Life

In this series we have looked at the changing understanding of God throughout human history. We have tried to separate the God experience of transcendence, wonder and awe from …

Examining the Story of the Cross, Part VII: What Judas Iscariot Meant in the Eighth Ninth & Tenth Decades of Christian Development

Last week we began a biblical analysis of Judas Iscariot.  First, we noted that Paul, who wrote and died before any gospel had been written, was totally unaware of …

Examining the Story of the Cross, Part VI: The Enigma Called Judas

The anti-hero of the Christian story in general and of the crucifixion story in particular is one who is known as Judas Iscariot. Scorn and ridicule have been heaped …

Examining the Story of the Cross, Part V: Barabbas – Another Interpretive Figure

In Mark’s original story of the Passion of Jesus, he introduces for the first time in any written Christian record the figure of Barabbas.  In this story we …

Examining the Story of the Cross, Part III: There Never Were “Seven Last Words” From the Cross

One of the most dramatic services of Holy Week for me has always been the Good Friday “Three Hour Service.”  It was designed to enable Christian worshipers in some …