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One of the (many) great paradoxes of the Book of Revelation is that, at one and the same time, it is experienced as both very difficult to interpret, yet also very easy. This explains the very different reactions to it as a biblical text; those who instinctively sense that it is difficult to interpret find … Continue Reading
This Sunday was traditionally known in the Church of England as ‘Stir-up Sunday‘, a phrase derived from the BCP Collect for the last Sunday before Advent, which in turn inspired the making of Christmas pudding (which needs plenty of stirring): Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, … Continue Reading
Every year, in the northern hemisphere, and especially in Northern Europe, we are apparently caught by surprise as the evenings draw in, and the morning light comes later. It always seems surprising, even though it is the same every year. And every year, I brace myself for the repetition of the ill-founded claim that Jesus … Continue Reading
There has been some fascinating conversation about this subject in a Facebook group I am part of in the last week. One contributor to that has been Zachary Arden, and I asked him about his interest in this subject and why it concerns him. IP: Zachary, where are you from, and what are you doing … Continue Reading
I was fascinating to learn, on social media and in personal conversation, that my friend and General Synod colleague Kate Wharton has for several years been writing out the Bible by hand in personal notebooks. So I asked her about the project. IP: What has this project involved? How much time has it taken so … Continue Reading
On this page, you can find an index to all the commentary articles on the gospel lectionary readings for the whole of Year A, together with links to the video discussions between Ian and James. The articles will be reposted with updates during the year—but they are listed here for convenience and planning ahead.
I would like to start a campaign, and it begins today: we should prohibit all use of the word ‘church’. I suppose I should qualify that a little: we should prohibit the use of the word “church” in the context of discussing the New Testament. Anyone who was my student from my nearly ten years … Continue Reading
There is one thing that I think everyone agrees on: The Book of Revelation is a strange book to read. As someone once said about the Troubles in Northern Ireland: ‘If you’re not confused, you don’t really know what is going on!’ There are many reasons for Revelation’s ‘strangeness’ to us, in a technical sense. … Continue Reading
The lectionary reading for Easter 3 in Year C is Acts 9, the so-called conversion of Saul/Paul. These readings from Acts are prioritized, so that we are encouraged to preach from them in this season (despite it coming before Pentecost!). Is it right to talk about Paul being ‘converted’? What does this change involve—what is … Continue Reading
This year, Year C in the lectionary, Palm Sunday is cancelled, so you need to do away with your palm crosses, and change the choice of hymns. The reason is that we are reading from Luke 19.28–40, and Luke makes no mention of ‘palms’ during Jesus’ ‘triumphal entry’ in Jerusalem, riding on a donkey. Instead, … Continue Reading
The Sunday lectionary gospel reading for the last Sunday before Lent in this Year C is Luke 9.28–36, this gospel’s account of the Transfiguration, with the option of continuing to read the episode that follows immediately on the descent from the mountain. There some important things to note in relation to this passage as we think … Continue Reading
Ian Paul: theologian, author, speaker, academic consultant. Associate Senior Research Fellow, Kirby Laing Centre for Public Theology; Associate Minister, St Nic's, Nottingham; Managing Editor, Grove Books; member of General Synod and Archbishops' Council. Mac user; chocoholic. Tweets at @psephizo
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Gospel commentary index Lectionary Year A
Andrew Goddard Bible biblical interpretation Biblical literacy biblical theology Christmas Church of England culture discipleship discussion doctrine eschatology evangelism gay General Synod Grove guest Hermeneutics History hope interpretation James Blandford Baker Jesus John's gospel Justin Welby leadership lectionary Luke Luke's gospel Matthew ministry mission New Testament Paul politics power preaching Revelation same sex unions sexuality Teaching theology video Year B Year C
