discussion

Peter’s summary of the gospel in Acts 10 video discussion

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The epistle for Epiphany 1, known as the Baptism of Christ, is Acts 10.34–43. It is worth preaching on rather than Matthew 3.13-end because it is such a rich and fascinating passage.

Luke’s account of Peter’s speech is rooted in the narrative of Scripture, but also sits within Luke-Acts, echoing early chapters of Luke and pointing forwards to the narrative arc of the rest of Acts. It is the most comprehensive speech in all of Acts, and has amazing correlation with the Apostle’s creed.

And for your amusement, James gets the video number completely wrong at the beginning!

For discussion of ‘impartiality’ as central to the gospel, see this article.

For Simon Gathercole’s demonstration that seeing Jesus as the fulfilment of the OT is a distinctive of the canonical gospels, see this article.

For commentary on Matthew 3.13–end, see this article.

and for discussion of the passage, see here.

Paul’s cascade of praise in Ephesians 1 video discussion

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The lectionary epistle reading for Christmas 2 in Year A is Ephesians 1.3–14 (though it is worth starting reading from verse 1). Although broken up in English translations, this forms one long sentence in Greek—of 202 words! It is likely the longest Greek sentence in the New Testament.

In what is effectively an extended cascade of praise, Paul outlines what God has done for us in Jesus. We need to understand what Paul is saying—but hold the different ideas together as he does, and understand them not as intellectual ideas, but as things that draw us into the praise of God.

The gospel reading is from John 1, either the first 18 verses, or verses 10 to 18. The written commentary is here.

And the video discussion is here.

For preaching on Epiphany, written commentary is here.

and video discussion is here.

The flight of the holy family and fury of Herod in Matt 2 video discussion

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The reading for Christmas 1, which is also the Feast of the Holy Innocents, is Matthew 2.13–18. This texts raises fascinating questions about history, how Matthew’s account here fits with the rest of his gospel, and what use he makes of Old Testament quotations. Is there any plausibility to the claim that he composed this … Continue Reading

The ‘man of lawlessness’ and ‘restrainer’ in 2 Thess 2 video discussion

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Although 2 Thess 2 (the lectionary epistle for the third Sunday before Advent) is not read much in churches, it has been hugely influential, in its ideas of the ‘man of lawlessness’, and the ‘restrainer’—this second term being a controlling idea in Christian ethical thinking in the Middle Ages. Yet it is almost impossible to … Continue Reading

Scripture, maturity, and ministry in 2 Tim 3–4 video discussion

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The lectionary epistle for Trinity 18 is 2 Timothy 3.14—4.5, perhaps the most theological dense passage of all Paul’s writings. He makes one of his clearest theological claims about the nature of Scripture, characteristically coining his own word to express this, and connects the truth of Scripture with salvation in Christ and spiritual maturity. And, … Continue Reading

Remembering God’s faithfulness in 2 Tim 2 video discussion

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The lectionary epistle for Trinity 17 in Year C is 2 Timothy 2.8–15. Paul continues with the theme of ‘remembering’, characteristically interweaving God’s powerful initiative and the need for our response. The passage has connections with Jesus’ teaching in the gospels and (of course) with the Book of Revelation. Sadly, James does not sing for … Continue Reading

Healing, pride, and humility at the banquet in Luke 14 video discussion

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The lectionary gospel reading for Trinity  11 in Year C, Luke 14.1, 7–14—though the whole passage should be read—continues to engage with material that is unique to Luke, arranged in Luke’s distinctive order, and bridging the worlds of the original context of Jesus and Judaism and Luke’s context in wider Roman culture. The passage comes … Continue Reading

Why does Jesus bring ‘division and a sword’ in Luke 12? video discussion

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The gospel lectionary reading for Trinity 9 in this Year C is Luke 12.49–56, continuing in a substantial section of teaching of Jesus gathered together by Luke. In this part of the gospel, we find some of Jesus’ toughest teaching about the reality of judgement and the cost of following him. (The lectionary oddly cuts … Continue Reading