Category Archives: Biblical Studies

With Your Eyes So Blue (not Green, but Blue)

Posted on September 13, 2013 by hessd

Today, I want to think a little about one of the densest and most debated texts I know.  It is the Prologue to the Gospel of John, found in Chapter 1, verses 1—18.  These verses have made and ruined academic … Continue reading →

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Secularism 2

Posted on August 12, 2013 by hessd

It came to my mind, as I was reflecting on “secularism”—my son, Doug, remarked in passing that he was a “secularist” and I got to thinking about how good a term that is—that it was an “extent of time” word, … Continue reading →

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What Pope Francis said

Posted on August 3, 2013 by hessd

How shall we understand the new pope, Pope Francis? “If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” Francis told reporters, speaking in Italian but using the English word “gay.” … Continue reading →

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Jesus and Rich People

Posted on July 19, 2013 by hessd

So how did Jesus feel about rich people?  That doesn’t sound too hard to answer.  I’ve got some proof texts right here.  I hope they are the same as your proof texts. We don’t have Jesus’s words to consider, of … Continue reading →

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Hearing God’s Voice

Posted on June 25, 2013 by hessd

How do you go about “hearing God’s voice?”  I’m not sure, to tell you the truth.  It isn’t anything I’ve ever been good at.  It may be that I just don’t have the basic capacity.  Or it may be that … Continue reading →

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Narrative Integrity, Jesus and Allison

Posted on March 17, 2013 by hessd

I want to write about the character of Jesus today.  I admit I have a grievance and blogging about it seems to help.  The pivot point, the point I will keep returning to until I start to feel better, can … Continue reading →

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There’s Always a Chance for Redemption

Posted on March 10, 2013 by hessd

“There’s always a chance for redemption when it comes to the NFL.” So says Steven Gerwell in The Bleacher Report.  That’s his opening line in a piece that names Peyton Manning the Comeback Player of the Year in the NFL … Continue reading →

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What is God like?

Posted on January 28, 2013 by hessd

This is one of those “Why is the grass green?” kinds of questions.  I do want to try to answer it in the third of the pieces that make up this blog, but I have two prior questions. The first … Continue reading →

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Luke’s story, for kids

Posted on December 23, 2012 by hessd

I learned “the Christmas story” the same way you did.  Unlearning “it” has been one of the great delights of my adult life.  In unlearning “it,” I was free to learn “them,” and that has been very satisfying. “Them” are the … Continue reading →

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Hark, the Herald Angels Sang (in traditional barbershop harmonies)

Posted on December 15, 2012 by hessd

You don’t have to read much of Tanya Luhrmann to feel like a fan.  Today’s editorial in the New York Times ought to be enough.  If this tickles your appetite and you like more academic prose, which she also does … Continue reading →

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