The writer of Hebrews was tricky. One Greek word he uses over and over translates to “draw near” or “approach.” In the Greek Old Testament, to “approach” God was something priests did. It was the common term for worship, entering the defined sacred space of the temple in order to offer a sacrifice.
Formations 02.18.2018: Run the Race
February 11, 2018 by
For the writer of Hebrews, rest best describes the promise given to Abraham and subsequent generations. So the vision for Israelite society in the promised land rested in sabbath. Likewise, Christian communities would be guided by a commitment to rest. But this writer also understood that the promise did not come into fullness immediately.
Formations 02.11.2018: Old School
February 4, 2018 by
Today’s passage lies at the intersection of rest and discipleship. Ironically, rest is something that disciples have to strive for. It isn’t automatic, anymore than it was automatic for the wilderness generation that refused to listen to God’s voice.
Formations 02.04.2018: Living in Tensions
January 28, 2018 by
It’s not uncommon that I steal books from my grandfather’s coffee table. He goes ahead and tells me to take what I want, so it isn’t really stealing. Over the years, he has made sure to send me home with books that have been meaningful for him.
Connections 10.30.2016: Job, Jesus, and Me
October 23, 2016 by
At some point in my young life, I began participating in my parents’ nightly prayer time. Using the denominational devotional guide, one of them would read the suggested Scripture passage and the printed meditation, and then say a short prayer.
Connections 10.23.2016: Lord of All
October 16, 2016 by
These are tough times to be active on social media. Hurricanes. Floods. Racially motivated riots. Shootings. LGBTQ rights. A more-contentious-than-usual presidential race.
Connections 10.16.2016: Suffering. Praying. And…
October 9, 2016 by
A parishioner had liver cancer. One day, as we sat talking in his den, he told me that he had recently attended a service conducted by an evangelist who claimed to be able to heal the sick.
Connections 10.09.2016: One Foundation
October 2, 2016 by
The church I attend is brand new. We became official in spring 2015. Our name is new, our sign is new, and our hymnals are new. Our bylaws are new. We’re so new that our mission is still evolving. But we have a history that stretches backward much longer than eighteen months.
10.02.2016: Thank God for Jesus
September 25, 2016 by
I think I’d believe in God even if Jesus hadn’t come. I seem to assume that God exists. That assumption appears to be a vital part of who I am, but I can’t tell if it’s the product of nature or nurture.
Crossroads: Entertaining Strangers
August 29, 2016 by
Have you ever helped someone you didn’t know? Or has someone come into your life at just the right time and it felt like they were sent from God? Pick one of these times to talk about with your family.
Crossroads: By Faith
August 15, 2016 by
Tell your family’s story of faith. If your ancestors were immigrants, your family faith story may begin with something like “by faith my great-great-great grandparents left the home and land they knew and came to America in search of a better life.”
Uniform 01.18.2015: Our High Priest
January 11, 2015 by
During my fourteen years of working as an assistant editor for Smyth & Helwys, I’ve had the privilege of editing many of our books and Bible commentaries. It’s been fascinating to read interpretations of Old and New Testament texts.
Uniform 12.07.2014: Angels among Us
November 30, 2014 by
Hebrews 1:1-9 One Sunday morning in August 2013, a mysterious appearance at a horrific accident had witnesses seeing angels. College sophomore Katie Lentz’s car collided with that of a drunk driver, and Katie was trapped beneath crumpled sheet metal. Emergency workers struggled to remove her from the car so she could be airlifted to a […]