If God’s love and promises are in fact so unswerving, then why does it appear that Israel, the longtime recipient of God’s promises, is on the outside looking in? This is the question Paul bitterly wrestles with in Romans 9-11. As the verses go by, the layers of his answer slowly fold back. First, God’s unpredictable mercy has a way bringing new people to the table, while those who assumed their automatic place at the table may not have a…

Allow me to state the obvious (but not as obvious as it seems): the Gospel of John is a story about Jesus. Why is that something that needs clear stating? Because sometimes we need reminding that Jesus is not just a teacher with some good ideas and advice. Jesus is not an instrument by which we achieve happiness and success (which would reduce him to a pawn in our narrative and needs). He is nothing less than the focal point…

Zeal. Knowledge-less zeal. That is, unfortunately, the defining trait of the longtime people of God (Romans 10:1-2). That’s what religion so often makes out of us. A lot of zeal. A lot of passion and energy. But not nearly enough of simply knowing the presence of God. Not enough of being confronted by God. Not enough loving God for God’s own sake. This problem keeps popping up throughout Romans – religion creates as many problems as it solves. In Paul’s…

When Jesus is asked the question, “Who is my neighbor?” he responds with his famous parable of The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). The question is not asked in good faith. We’re told that the questioner, an expert in Jewish law, wants to test Jesus and to himself be declared right and justified in the process. So “who is my neighbor?” really means “who is not my neighbor?” The questioner wants to know whom he is allowed to exclude. He wants to draw…