Walter Brueggeman is one of my favorite scholar-authors. His love of the Bible comes through in everything he writes. He is also prophetic. Brueggemann doesn’t let anyone get away with taking the Bible lightly (as just another work of ancient literature, for example) or too seriously (as an object of…
If these walls could talk
We are building a new house! We have a great builder. He told us that sometimes people like to write verses from the Bible on headers or posts before the sheetrock is installed. Well, the sheetrock is being installed this week, so Susan and I went early this week with…
The Slave Bible – not your typical boutique Bible
The Slave Bible is not your typical boutique Bible. We all have our own canons – those verses of the Bible that we know and live by. Most who were raised in a church can probably quote John 3:16 or complete the quote from I John, “God is _____.” We…
What’s In A Name?
You might be interested in knowing why I named this ministry “Great Bible Teachers.” Here is how that happened. Chad Hall is a good friend and a masterful coach. As I was struggling with this nudge of doing “something” to strengthen the teaching ministry of the Church, Chad invited…
A Minister’s Funeral
Recently, I attended the funeral of the Rev. Russ Ames. I first met Russ when I was asked to serve on his ordination council – almost exactly a year ago. He was in very bad health at the time, as he had been for several years. As a matter of…
Review – Rediscovering Paul: An Introduction to His World, Letters and Theology
Rediscovering Paul: An Introduction to His World, Letters and Theology by David B. Capes, Rodney Reeves and E. Randolph Richards. Downers Grove: IVP Academic. 2007. The typical lay person may not know it, but Paul has gotten a pretty bad rap lately. It is as if all of Western…
If it ain’t King James…
The King James Version recently made the news, even if was “fake news.” This week, the Babylonian Bee (a satirical site that focuses most of its humor toward the church with titles like, “Worship Drummer Throws Drumstick Out To Lucky Screaming Fan” or “‘Church Foyer Coffee’ Keurig K-Cup Flavor Now Available”)…
Solid Proof of Church Geekhood: Finding the Best Church
Where should I go today? Recently, I was in Asheville, NC. I had a retreat commitment at a Baptist church for Saturday night. I had another Baptist regional gathering commitment for Sunday afternoon. This meant I had Sunday morning “free.” I had no commitments to speak or teach or merely be present…
About me – Teaching the Bible
When I was a junior in high school, I was “voluntold” to lead the sixth-grade boys’ Sunday School class. I had a good time on some Sundays. Other weeks, it was a real struggle! That began decades of experience teaching youth and adults. Over those years, I have learned…
