Category: Bible Notes

Bible Note#58: Zacchaeus #2–Some Background

~ gachorpenning ~ 5 Comments

In order to understand this encounter between Jesus and Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-9), we need to know a little bit about the geography of the Holy Land in Jesus' time.  So, let’s start with this question: where was Jericho and what was Jesus doing there?  I’ll address the second question first. What was Jesus doing in … Continue reading Bible Note#58: Zacchaeus #2–Some Background

Bible Note #57: Zacchaeus #1–The Real Zacchaeus and That Terrible Children’s Song

~ gachorpenning ~ 6 Comments

Christians, especially American Christians, can be really good at sanitizing the gospels in order to make Jesus less offensive.  We want a version of Jesus that doesn’t make us uncomfortable, one that fits with our American way of seeing things.  The story of Jesus’ encounter with Zacchaeus is a case in point. One of the … Continue reading Bible Note #57: Zacchaeus #1–The Real Zacchaeus and That Terrible Children’s Song

Bible Note #56: Mark 10:35-45 & Serving or Ruling Over

~ gachorpenning ~ 1 Comment

So, we’ve just come out of an election.  Some Christian folks are delighted.  Some Christian folks are despairing.  Both are wrong because both are badly misguided.  The first group—the delighted group—is delighted because they believe they now have their hands on the levers of power.  The second group—the despairing group—is despairing because they believe they … Continue reading Bible Note #56: Mark 10:35-45 & Serving or Ruling Over

Pastor Note #134/Bible Note #55: Love of Jesus, Love of Neighbor

~ gachorpenning ~ 11 Comments

“Almighty God, you have taught us through your Son that love is the fulfilling of the law.  Grant that we may love you with our whole heart and our neighbor as ourselves; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.[1] Luke 10:25-37 (NIV)25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he … Continue reading Pastor Note #134/Bible Note #55: Love of Jesus, Love of Neighbor

Bible Note #53: Colossians 3 Series–Raised with Christ

~ gachorpenning ~ 1 Comment

There is richness and deep truth to be found everywhere in the Bible, often in passages that might seem mundane and unremarkable at first glance.  In fact, that sounds like an interesting challenge.  So, maybe someday I’ll do a series of studies on some of those seemingly uninspiring passages of the Bible.  But for now, … Continue reading Bible Note #53: Colossians 3 Series–Raised with Christ

Bible Note #52: James 2:5-7 & the Problem of Wealth

~ gachorpenning ~ 2 Comments

Photo by GAC I think I can safely say that James has a very low opinion of money and the accumulation of wealth.  Along with Paul, James gets his ideas about money and wealth from Jesus.  Jesus and all the New Testament writers are concerned about money and the accumulation of wealth because they believed … Continue reading Bible Note #52: James 2:5-7 & the Problem of Wealth

Bible Note #51: James 2:1-4 & Valuing What Jesus Values

~ gachorpenning ~ 1 Comment

I enjoy fishing.  I’m not very good at it, but I do enjoy going out to the water and trying to catch fish.  As I share this with you, we are a day away from the opening of trout season in Pennsylvania.  Opening day can be a pretty crowded time on the water around here.  … Continue reading Bible Note #51: James 2:1-4 & Valuing What Jesus Values

Bible Note #50: James 2:1 and “Us vs. Them” Thinking

~ gachorpenning ~ 3 Comments

There is no question that our Christian faith can become corrupted.  And, of course, one of the ways that our faith can become corrupted is when we adopt bad or wrong doctrines.  That’s why it’s important for us to learn our theology carefully and well. The base of an abandoned steel-making blast furnace; photo by … Continue reading Bible Note #50: James 2:1 and “Us vs. Them” Thinking

Bible Note #49: James 1:27 & Tolerating Stains

~ gachorpenning ~ Leave a comment

My wife and I currently have a four-year-old, ninety-pound golden retriever, Teddy.  We’ve had dogs, often more than one, for nearly twenty years.  Somewhere along the way, it occurred to us that vinyl flooring with a random pattern of brown dog paw prints on it would be a wonderful thing.  Anyone who has ever owned … Continue reading Bible Note #49: James 1:27 & Tolerating Stains