Category Archives: Bible Study

Bible Study thoughts and tools.

Brueggemann Interview Streaming

Posted on May 18, 2011 by stevepvc

Here is a stream for an interview Walter Brueggemann is doing this afternoon. My understanding is the interview is going to revolve around how ancient texts inform our experience of being human. Brueggemann is a wonderful Old Testament theologian—one of … Continue reading →

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Living Resurrection—A Sermon from Mark 16:1-8

Posted on April 28, 2011 by stevepvc

It is John’s gospel that tells us that if all the things that Jesus did while on earth were written down, the whole world wouldn’t have been able to hold all the books. Nonetheless, God chose to give us four … Continue reading →

Posted in Mark, New Testament, Preaching, Sermon Manuscript | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Unpolluted, Unstained

Posted on October 12, 2010 by stevepvc

Growing up, I got the sense that when the church talked about being “different from the world”, that was more or less code for a fairly defined set of behaviors, things like cussing, drinking, and sexual activity.  (Maybe smoking, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study, Discipleship, James, justice, New Testament | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Do Not Judge—A Sermon from Luke 6:35-42

Posted on August 30, 2010 by stevepvc

I told somebody this past week that the sermon for today could really only last a few seconds. Don’t get your hopes up, it’s going to be longer than that, but it seems like I should be able to just … Continue reading →

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Psalm 4

Posted on August 20, 2010 by stevepvc

To the director, with strings. A David psalm. Answer me in my call, O God of my glory! When I’m in a tight spot, you make space for me. Show me grace, and hear my prayer. Sons of man, how … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study, Old Testament, Psalms, Translations | Tagged , | 3 Comments

The Other Beatitudes—A Sermon from Luke 6:20-26

Posted on August 18, 2010 by stevepvc

Everybody knows the sermon on the mount.  Unfortunately, if I got up this morning and started reading, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are those who [yawn] mourn, for they will be…”, … Continue reading →

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Sermon on the Plain—Cedar Lane Edition

Posted on August 17, 2010 by stevepvc

This past Sunday’s sermon was our introductory foray into the sermon on the plain, an extremely distilled dose of Jesus’ vision of what his disciples are like. Part of the challenge of this past week’s sermon was to get in … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study, Discipleship, Luke, New Testament, Preaching, Translations, video | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Psalm 3

Posted on August 11, 2010 by stevepvc

Here’s my translation of Psalm 3. It’s a simple, beautiful psalm of rescue or salvation. I’m using rescue in my translation, partly because the word “salvation” has been dulled and avoids this connotation.  I think “rescue” feels more immediate as … Continue reading →

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Psalm 2

Posted on August 4, 2010 by stevepvc

Why are the nations stirred up, and why do the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers scheme together against the Lord and against his chosen one. Let us tear apart their … Continue reading →

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The Shunammite Saga

Posted on August 2, 2010 by stevepvc

I’ve really enjoyed reading and preaching through the Elisha stories over the past month, and there’s one saga that deserves more attention than the brief mention I gave it in yesterday’s sermon.  It begins in 2 Kings 4, and then … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study, Old Testament | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments