Thank God the Fleeting Privilege Is Still Yours!
It is a sad but very real ability of my sinful nature to turn any task - no matter how gracious a privilege it is - into a grievous burden. My life is littered with ...
Four Branches March – 2019
Jump to: Exegetical Systematic Historical Practical Exegetical Theology: The Cross as Metonymy in 1 Corinthians 1:18 The Second Lesson for Lent 4 features a particularly potent use of metonymy. The entire section of 1 Corinthians ...
Lord, Grant That I in Ev’ry Place May Glorify Your Lavish Grace!
(This is the chapel devotion for Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary on Monday, March 18, 2019) What will deter you in carrying out ministry? Will it be the frustration of that summer-camp that sees many kids eagerly ...
Four Branches February 2019
Jump to: Exegetical Systematic Historical Practical Exegetical Theology: God's New Thing The Exodus from Egypt was a tremendous act of deliverance by God. In Isaiah 43:16-21 (Lent 5C), God reminds his people of this ...
Jesus Redefines Our Best Days!
I’ve only preached on next Sunday’s gospel (Luke 6:17-26) twice in 33 years. (No doubt shorter Epiphany seasons and 20 years of professor-ing have played into that reality.) As I looked back, both times I ...
Four Branches January 2019
Jump to: Exegetical Systematic Historical Practical Exegetical Theology: The Holiness of God The doorposts and thresholds were shaking. The temple was filled with smoke. The seraphim were covering their faces and their feet. And Isaiah ...
Strength for the Calling…His…Ours!
It’s a double-edged connection. The more I see the power for Jesus’ calling of his own baptism by John, the more I will see the power for my calling(s) of my own baptism. And the ...
Hmong Outreach in Vietnam
The fields are white for the harvest in Vietnam, and through the gospel, the Holy Spirit is bringing many to faith. Jonathan Bare as told to himby Wasa Lau Translated by Bounkeo Lor Pastor Wasa Lau is one of 60 Hmong Fellowship Church (HFC) leaders ...
Four Branches December 2018
Jump to: Exegetical Systematic Historical Practical Exegetical Theology: Appreciating Isaiah's Poetry If you page through the book of Isaiah in most English editions of the Bible, you will notice that much of the text ...
Four Branches November 2018
Jump to: Exegetical Systematic Historical Practical Exegetical Theology: Little Words, Big Worth - καί These last two months we’ve discussed how particles like ἀλλά and δέ help an exegete navigate a text. Today we’ll ...