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As we enter the season of Lent on Sunday, the lectionary for the First Sunday in Lent in Year A is of course Matt 4.1–11. The epistle for this Sunday is apt: Paul’s contrast in Romans 5.12–19 between the power of Sin and Death at work for those who are ‘in Adam’ contrasted with the … Continue Reading
The lectionary gospel reading for the last Sunday before Lent in Year A, is Matt 17.1–9, Matthew’s account of the Transfiguration. You can find video discussion of this commentary here and posted at the end. The epistle is Peter’s account in 2 Peter 1.16–21; you can find the video discussion of that passage here and … Continue Reading
The Sunday lectionary gospel reading for the Second Sunday before Lent in Year A, is Matthew 6.25–34, a section of the so-called Sermon on the Mount. The epistle is the remarkable exposition by Paul of our hope of new creation in Romans 8.18–25—often called the pinnacle of the New Testament. The video discussion of Romans … Continue Reading
It is fascinating to see the way that careless readings of well-known texts keep resurfacing in different contexts. One of those relates to the central teaching of Jesus, as he begins his ministry in Galilee after John the Baptist is imprisoned: After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news … Continue Reading
The gospel reading for Epiphany 4 is John 2.1–11, the water into wine at the wedding in Cana (also the reading for Epiphany 3 in Year C). The written commentary for that is here and the video discussion is here. However, at this time we also celebrate the Presentation of Jesus in the temple in Jerusalem; … Continue Reading
This Sunday’s lectionary reading for Year A, Epiphany 3, is Matt 4.12–23. The epistle is 1 Cor 1.10–18, where Paul gets into the issues of factions and divisions. The video for that reading can be found here, and is linked at the end of this piece, as is the video on Matthew 4. The gospel … Continue Reading
For the Second Sunday of Epiphany in Year A, the readings are 1 Corinthians 1.1–9 and John 1.29–42. You can find the video discussion of the epistle here and posted at the end of the article, and the video discussion of the gospel reading here and also posted below. Here is my written commentary on … Continue Reading
For the Second Sunday of Epiphany in Year A, the readings are 1 Corinthians 1.1–9 and John 1.29–42. Paul’s introduction to his letter to the Corinthians offers the most remarkable affirmation of what God has already done in the lives of his writers. This is very striking given the way he is going to warn … Continue Reading
It is fascinating to see the way that traditions have grown up around the celebration of Christmas, and how many of those traditions are not merely absent from the Bible, but in fact contradict not only the content of the Bible, but the heart of its message. Somehow, where the birth narratives in Scripture are … Continue Reading
One of the problems about the development of traditions around Christmas is that people writing hymns or plays set Jesus’ birth in their own world rather than in what we know of the first century. In particular, many assume that Jesus was born in winter, since Christmas is celebrated in winter in the northern hemisphere. … Continue Reading
The lectionary epistle reading for Advent 4 in Year A is Romans 1.1–7, which is a single sentence in Greek! Paul offers not just an opening greeting, but a programmatic introduction to the whole of his letter. It is relentlessly focussed on what God has done for us, before it ever touches on what might … 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 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 marriage same sex unions sexuality theology video Year A Year B Year C
