The Surprising God

This post exegetes John 20:19-31, providing context for the RCL Gospel reading on the second Sunday of Eastertide (4/27/25). Insights are drawn from Warren Wiersbe ("The Bible Expository Commentary"), Donald Guthrie ("The New Bible Commentary"), Michael Card ("The Parable of Joy"), and F.F. Bruce ("The Gospel of John"). "The Incredulity of St. Thomas" by Rembrandt (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction The news that Jesus had risen from the dead spread rapidly among his followers—at first with skepticism, then hesitation, but finally with enthusiasm and joy. At first, even his disciples did not believe the reports, and Thomas demanded proof. But wherever people were confronted with the reality of Jesus’ resurrection, lives were transformed. In the latter part of John chapter 20 we find the unfolding of this transformation in three steps: from fear to courage, from unbelief to confidence, and from death to life. From Fear to ...

This post exegetes 1 Corinthians chapter 15, providing context for the RCL Epistle reading on Easter Sunday (4/20/25). Insights are drawn from Warren Wiersbe ("Bible Exposition Commentary") and Bruce Winter ("New Bible Commentary"). "The Resurrection" by Mottez (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction   The doctrine of the resurrection of the dead is an encouraging core teaching of the Christian faith. Sadly, it was rejected by Greeks who embraced a dualistic philosophy that viewed the body as evil and the spirit (viewed as an immortal soul) as good. Death was thus seen as the release of the spirit/soul from its bodily prison. The idea that God will resurrect people bodily was to Greeks both absurd (Acts 17:32) and unwelcome.  Despite this Greek viewpoint, the Christians in Corinth (most who were Greeks) embraced (at least at first) the doctrine of the bodily resurrection. However, by the time Paul wrote 1 Corinthians, their belief had waned (1 C...

This post exegetes Philippians 2:1-11, providing context for the RCL Epistle reading on Palm Sunday (4/13/25), the sixth and final Sunday of Lent. Insights are drawn from Warren Wiersbe ("Bible Exposition Commentary") and Francis Foulkes ("New Bible Commentary").  "Christ on the Cross" by Delacroix (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction  When Epaphroditus brought Paul a generous gift from the church at Philippi, he also brought disturbing news of a double threat to that congregation’s unity: false teachers from without (Phil 3:1–3) and disagreeing members from within (4:1–3). Paul is greatly concerned, and so in his letter to the Philippians he pleads with them to recover a true and lasting unity. They will do so as they, through the Holy Spirit, actively share in the mind and activity of Jesus. Note Philippians 2:1-2:  If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, ...

This post exegetes Philippians 3:12-16, offering context for the RCL Epistle reading on the fifth Sunday in Lent (4/6/25). Insights are drawn from Warren Wiersbe ("Bible Exposition Commentary") and Francis Foulkes ("New Bible Commentary").   "Footrace" (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction  In Philippians chapter 3, Paul examines our life with Jesus and sees our Savior at work redeeming our past (verses 1-11) and securing our future (verses 17-21). In verses 12-16, he looks at the present where we are invited to participate with Jesus as he ministers in our world. Paul compares this participation with running a race; and the goal is to run strong!   Paul does NOT use this metaphor to speak of earning salvation. Rather, he uses it to urge us to share actively in Jesus’ ministry because we are saved. In Paul’s day, only citizens were allowed to enter the Greek games. Athletes did not compete to gain citizenship—they competed because they were ci...

This post exegetes 2 Corinthians 5:9-21, offering context for the RCL Epistle reading on the fourth Sunday in Lent (3/30/25). Insights are drawn from Warren Wiersbe ("Bible Exposition Commentary"). "Jerusalem, Jerusalem" from Tissot (via Wkimedia Commons) Introduction Paul's epistles typically address both doctrine and duty. Why? Because he seeks to establish that what God has done for us (as summarized in doctrine ) should motivate us to participate actively in God's ongoing work in the world (our duty-- what Paul calls "the obedience of faith"). Another way to state this is that the indicatives of the Gospel motivate the imperatives of the Gospel. We see this dynamic relationship in Paul's frequent use of the word “therefore” (sometimes translated "so," "since then", etc.) as in 2 Corinthians 5:9, 11, 16–17 where Paul moves from explanation-declaration ( indicatives ) to application ( imperatives ).  In the passage unpacke...