Category Archives: Biblical Studies

Go and do likewise

Posted on August 7, 2016 by hessd

I want to tell you right up front that the topic I want to get to is the teaching in Jesus’s story of the Good Samaritan. I mention that because it is going to take me a little while to … Continue reading →

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Genre and Meaning

Posted on July 22, 2016 by hessd

I want to ask you to think along with me today on meaning and scripture. I want to say that explicitly at the beginning because the opening example will seem to be about something else entirely, especially, coming as it … Continue reading →

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Almost Easter, 2016

Posted on March 27, 2016 by hessd

Today, the Saturday before Easter, doesn’t have a name so far as I know. In the church Bette and I attend, there are special services for Maundy Thursday [1] and Good Friday [2] and of course, on Easter [3]. At … Continue reading →

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“The Intern” as a Theological Prop

Posted on March 12, 2016 by hessd

This is a frankly theological take on Nancy Meyers’ movie, The Intern. As always, I absolve the writer, the director (both Nancy Meyers) the producers, and all the actors from having any such intention. I am writing here about the … Continue reading →

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My “Going Home” Plan

Posted on January 21, 2016 by hessd

I’ve been in a lot of conversations lately that have to do with death and afterwards. And yesterday, Bette and I met with an “estate planner,” hoping to find a way to leave our property as gently as we hope … Continue reading →

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And don’t forget to wash your hands

Posted on January 2, 2016 by hessd

According to John’s account, Jesus turned water into wine, really good wine, at a wedding in Cana. I have enjoyed that story for years and now, as an old man, I am beginning to get the beginnings of an idea … Continue reading →

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God’s DNA

Posted on December 13, 2015 by hessd

We’re going to have to talk just a little about the Virgin Mary today. My strategy in entering this field is to begin on the outrageous end of the row and pick my way back to where I parked the … Continue reading →

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How Matthew prepares us to receive Mary

Posted on December 10, 2015 by hessd

I really think Matthew puts as much effort into preparing his readers to understand Mary as Luke does. Luke is famously Mary-centered. In Luke, Joseph is part of the ensemble, back there with the oxen and the asses. He doesn’t … Continue reading →

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Why do Matthew and Luke have infancy narratives?

Posted on October 31, 2015 by hessd

The consensus among biblical scholars is that both Matthew and Luke had copies of Mark before them when they composed their own gospels. Mark starts his account with the baptism of Jesus. Matthew and Luke apparently looked at this way … Continue reading →

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Where did Cain’s Wife Come From?

Posted on October 5, 2015 by hessd

One of the enduring questions about reading the Bible, is how to read it with the same interests and worldview as the author of the story. [1] I know that way of saying it makes it sound easy. I apologize … Continue reading →

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