Joy: Responding to God’s Goodness
Advent E3 — In the third week of Advent, we’re reflecting on joy. Joy’s not only a feeling based on circumstances but a rich biblical theme expressed ...
Peace: Wholeness, Completion, and Flourishing
Advent E2 — In the second week of Advent, we’re reflecting on peace. The word most often translated as “peace” in the Hebrew Bible is shalom, but its ...
Hope: Waiting, Stretching, and Trusting
Advent E1 — Over the next four weeks, we’ll be exploring the four key words associated with the Advent season: hope, peace, joy, and love, starting wi...
Why Is There Wilderness Imagery in the Lord’s Prayer?
The Wilderness Q+R (E13) — Is Adam being formed outside of Eden a prototype of the wilderness pattern? Are the biblical authors linking David and Naba...
Past Scenes From the Wilderness
The Wilderness Hyperlink Episode (E12) — In every theme study, we try to isolate a biblical topic and trace its appearances in the biblical story. But...
Living in the Wilderness Now
The Wilderness E11 — After his death and resurrection, Jesus sends his disciples out into the world to share the good news of the Kingdom and make dis...
Jesus, the New Shepherd in the Wilderness
The Wilderness E10 — Throughout ancient Israel’s long history of wandering in the wilderness, failing in the garden land, being exiled to the nations,...
Jesus Passes the Wilderness Test
The Wilderness E9 — After Jesus’ baptism, the Holy Spirit leads him into the wilderness to be tested for 40 days. The exodus generation spent 40 years...
Why Does Jesus Get Baptized in the Wilderness?
The Wilderness E8 –– In the Bible, God often turns wilderness wanderings into times of testing, purification, and preparation for returning to the gar...
The Wilderness Remixed in Israel’s Prophets
The Wilderness E7 — By the time we get to the Prophets in the Hebrew Bible, the meaning of the wilderness is well established. It’s a desolate, danger...