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The lectionary reading for Trinity 4 in Year C is Colossians 1.1–14, the opening greetings and prayer of Paul for the followers of Jesus he has not met in an ekklesia which he did not plant. Paul adapts the standard letter greetings in a striking way, and his two part prayer/introduction (there is a break … Continue Reading
For Trinity 3 in this Year C, we finish our mini-series on Galatians with (most of) the final chapter, Galatians 6.[1-6] 7-16. (The lectionary choice is again slightly odd; the first part should be read, and strangely it omits the final two verses for no obvious reason.) There is not an obvious structure to what … Continue Reading
The lectionary readings for Trinity 2 in Year C are Galatians 5.1, 13-25 Luke 9.51-end. In Galatians 5, Paul explores the meaning of freedom in Christ. This is not freedom to indulge the desires of our sinful human nature (the ‘flesh’) but the freedom to fulfill the law in obedience to God by the power … Continue Reading
The lectionary readings for Trinity 1 in Year C are Galatians 3.23-29 and Luke 8.26-39. In Gal 3, Paul is dealing with the question of the relationship between faith and law, something he will revisit in next week’s reading from Gal 5. Both are from God, so cannot be fundamentally opposed. And yet Paul sees … Continue Reading
The lectionary readings in this Year C for Trinity Sunday are John 16.12–15 and Romans 5.1–5, both quite short readings. Western eyes often read Romans 5 in individual terms, but the honour/shame/glory motif needs to be understood corporately. The surprising combination of hope and suffering shows that Paul’s eschatology stands behind this—the future has broken … Continue Reading
We continue focussing on the passages in Acts, and for Easter 6 in Year C the reading is Acts 16.9–15. This starts half-way through a paragraph, so we should really start reading at verse 6. We are now in the second half of Acts, focussing on what the Spirit is doing through the ministry of … Continue Reading
The lectionary readings for Easter 4 in Year C include three substantial readings: Acts 9.36-43, Revelation 7.9-17 and John 10.22-30. There is a note which says: ‘The reading from Acts must be used as either the first or second reading’, which suggests that this reading is thought to be particularly important—and this is characteristic of … 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
I interviewed Dr Rhiannon McAleer about the Bible Society’s report ‘A Quiet Revival’. We started by looking at the headlines from the report, then I pressed her about questions of methodology and whether the findings are robust, before we explored some of the encouragements and challenges arising for the church and church leaders. You can … Continue Reading
The discovery by two disciples of the empty tomb, and Mary Magdelene’s encounter with Jesus, in John 20.1–18, is one of the main options for the gospel reading for Easter Sunday in both Year A and Year C (the alternative is Luke 24.1–12; in Year B we have the short ending of Mark 16). And … 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
