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The Sunday lectionary reading for Epiphany 1, which is the Baptism of Christ, is Luke 3.15–17 and 21–22. The reading feels odd, since it was back in Advent when we read the previous verses in Luke 3 over two Sundays, and this sets the context for our passage. The lectionary also drops the verses about … Continue Reading
I wrote a first version of this article (revised in the light of comments) five years ago, in response to people posting online the list on the right. Surprisingly, this is still being reposted as an expression of New Year’s resolutions. When I gently challenging it, one friend said that it is a good antidote … Continue Reading
The Christmas season is now with us! The reading for the first Sunday in the Christmas season (Christmas 1) is Luke 2.41–52—though it is arguable that we should actually start our reading at verse 40, since it forms an ‘inclusio’ (bracket) with the final verse of the reading. At every point in this reading, we … Continue Reading
The Christmas season is now with us! The reading for the first Sunday in the Christmas season (Christmas 1) is Luke 2.41–52—though it is arguable that we should actually start our reading at verse 40, since it forms an ‘inclusio’ (bracket) with the final verse of the reading. This is a very carefully crafted passage, … Continue Reading
A few years ago I watched the film Gravity when it came out. The effects were spectacular, the photography breathtaking, the characterisations engaging, and the story held one’s attention throughout. It even raised some profound (religious?) questions about life, death and purpose. And yet, when I left the cinema, I could not decide whether I … Continue Reading
The latest Grove Biblical booklet is Death and ‘Hell’ by Paul Marston, and addressed the burning question (!) of what happens when we die, and the nature of death and hell. He begins by exploring why this is such an important question, theologically and pastorally. This booklet considers two distinct questions: (i) what happens immediately after … Continue Reading
What do you find most irritating about this time of year? The drawing in of dark and cold nights? The hideous adoption of that consumerist import ‘Black Friday’? People putting up Christmas trees when we have only just started Advent? Being urged to spend more money by means of schmaltzy human interest mini-dramas? For me, … Continue Reading
Advent is once more upon us (pun intended!), and with it comes two sets of confusion: the idea that Advent is the anticipation of Christmas (when it is really about looking forward to Jesus’ return and The End); and the notion that the set passages in the lectionary are all about Jesus’ return. As we … Continue Reading
The Sunday gospel lectionary reading for Advent 1 in Year C is Luke 21.25–36, from this gospel’s version of what is often called the ‘Little Apocalypse’. As usual, we need to read on to put this text in its context to understand both the text itself and how it compares with its parallels in Mark … Continue Reading
In all three Synoptic gospels, Jesus concludes a conversation about the contrast between his teaching and practice and that of the Pharisees (and John the Baptist) by means of a parable about wine and wineskins. No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the … Continue Reading
I write a quarterly column for Preach magazine, in which I explore a significant word or phrase in the Bible, or a theme or section of Scripture, and the ideas that it expresses. At the end of this piece I list the previous articles I have written for them. Here I explore what we can … 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 theology video Year A Year B Year C
