http://www.jesusat2am.com ...one pastor's honest reflections on the Christian life... Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:08:43 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Thoughtful and engaging discussions of the Bible, church history, theology and spiritual discipline, offered with a warm balance of intellectual integrity and down-to-earth personality. What emerges is a rich understanding of Christian faith as it has been understood and practiced across the centuries. Kirk Winslow is Pastor for Adult Education and Spiritual Formation at Irvine Presbyterian Church, adjunct faculty at Fuller Theological Seminary, night owl, and overall decent guy. Kirk Winslow no Kirk Winslow mail@jesusat2am.com mail@jesusat2am.com (Kirk Winslow) Kirk Winslow Further evidence that theology, church history, and biblical studies are cool. theology, church history, spiritual life, spiritual disciplines, introduction to the bible, Christian, bible, new testament, jesus, old testament, biblical studies http://www.jesusat2am.com/wp-content/plugins/powerpress/rss_default.jpg http://www.jesusat2am.com Irvine, CA http://www.jesusat2am.com/2012/01/29/church-hist-modern-part-1-from-protest-to-ism/ http://www.jesusat2am.com/2012/01/29/church-hist-modern-part-1-from-protest-to-ism/#comments Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:26:11 +0000 Kirk Winslow http://www.jesusat2am.com/?p=278 http://www.jesusat2am.com/2012/01/29/church-hist-modern-part-1-from-protest-to-ism/feed/ 0 When Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses outside the door of the campus church in Wittenberg, he had no intention of dividing the Catholic Church.  But within a decade of that event, such acts of protest had gained irreversible momentum, When Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses outside the door of the campus church in Wittenberg, he had no intention of dividing the Catholic Church.  But within a decade of that event, such acts of protest had gained irreversible momentum, and  "Protestantism" was officially born. Throughout the 16th century new church governments were formed, new theologies written along with new liturgies to accompany them.  Church and state battled - often violently - for power as the religious freedom gave rise to calls for political freedom as well. In this first of 5 lectures on the modern church, we explore the world of the 16th century and the formation of new denominations formed in reaction to the perceived corruptions of Roman Catholicism.   Kirk Winslow no http://www.jesusat2am.com/2012/01/14/gospels-part-5-jesus-prophet-of-the-kingdom/ http://www.jesusat2am.com/2012/01/14/gospels-part-5-jesus-prophet-of-the-kingdom/#comments Sun, 15 Jan 2012 07:16:52 +0000 Kirk Winslow http://www.jesusat2am.com/?p=260 http://www.jesusat2am.com/2012/01/14/gospels-part-5-jesus-prophet-of-the-kingdom/feed/ 0 apocalypse,apocalyptic,biblical interpretation,genre,god's word,gospels,gospels 101,interpreting Jesus,interpreting the new testament,introduction to the bible,introduction to the gospels,Jesus One of the greatest challenges to understanding the message of Jesus is knowing how to categorize him as a speaker.  When those first audiences gathered, who did they think they were going to hear?   A teacher?  A philosopher?  A political leader? One of the greatest challenges to understanding the message of Jesus is knowing how to categorize him as a speaker.  When those first audiences gathered, who did they think they were going to hear?   A teacher?  A philosopher?  A political leader?  Or something else? In this fifth installment in the Next Steps into the Gospels course we examine Jesus' rhetorical genre and identify him as an "apocalyptic prophet" - one who comes to proclaim God's word to his people, one with a message that God is bringing the present age to it's conclusion and ushering in the new era of salvation.   Kirk Winslow no http://www.jesusat2am.com/2011/12/15/satan-demons-and-the-confrontation-with-evil/ http://www.jesusat2am.com/2011/12/15/satan-demons-and-the-confrontation-with-evil/#comments Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:13:33 +0000 Kirk Winslow http://www.jesusat2am.com/?p=241 http://www.jesusat2am.com/2011/12/15/satan-demons-and-the-confrontation-with-evil/feed/ 0 bible 101,binding the strongman,casting out demons,demon,demon possession,demoniac,devils,exorcism,garaene demonic,introduction to the bible,possessed by demons,Satan Few elements of the biblical story cause contemporary readers more difficulty than talk of demons and devils.  To our (post-?)modern sensibilities, they seem, at best, misdiagnoses of psychiatric conditions, and, at worst, Few elements of the biblical story cause contemporary readers more difficulty than talk of demons and devils. To our (post-?)modern sensibilities, they seem, at best, misdiagnoses of psychiatric conditions, and, at worst, conjure images of the church at its most misguided (witch trial, anyone?). And yet, Jesus' confrontation with demonic powers is a fundamental dimension of the Gospels. Indeed, it is his assertion that the "real" enemy is spiritual (not physical - e.g., Rome) that drives much of his messianic ministry (forgiving enemies instead of launching revolutions). And his ability to overpower that enemy - to "bind the strongman" - displays his divine authority. In this episode we examine the story of Jesus' encounter with a man "possessed" by demonic forces and discover the many layers of meaning revealed in Jesus' healing. If you wish to read more on the subject of "Satan" specifically, see my recent blog post at www.jesusat2am.com. Kirk Winslow no http://www.jesusat2am.com/2011/12/06/miracles-salvation-enacted/ http://www.jesusat2am.com/2011/12/06/miracles-salvation-enacted/#comments Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:45:14 +0000 Kirk Winslow http://www.jesusat2am.com/?p=203 http://www.jesusat2am.com/2011/12/06/miracles-salvation-enacted/feed/ 0 1st century,Bible,biblical,christian,christianity,essenes,first century,forgiveness,gospel,gospels,grace,healing How are we to understand the miracles of Jesus? Simply demonstrations of power? Or a larger enactment of salvation...? Much of Jesus' ministry - and the Gospel descriptions thereof - revolve around his "miracles" (the Gk. word is best translated "works of power"). But what was their purpose? Did they simply serve to impress his audience, to demonstrate his might or authority? Or are they part and parcel of the declaration that "the kingdom of God has come near"? In this episode we examine Jesus' healing of a paralyzed man as a window into the larger ministry of salvation - of setting God's creation right (both physically and judicially). In particular we explore Jewish expectations - rooted in the Hebrew scriptures - of what salvation would entail, and how Jesus' fulfills and expands this vision. Kirk Winslow no http://www.jesusat2am.com/2011/11/28/understanding-jesus-world-the-religion-and-politics-of-1st-century-israel/ http://www.jesusat2am.com/2011/11/28/understanding-jesus-world-the-religion-and-politics-of-1st-century-israel/#comments Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:44:39 +0000 Kirk Winslow http://www.jesusat2am.com/?p=183 http://www.jesusat2am.com/2011/11/28/understanding-jesus-world-the-religion-and-politics-of-1st-century-israel/feed/ 0 We set the historical, political, and religious stage onto which Jesus stepped. Join us as we explore the world of Pharisees, Sadducees, Messianic expectations and Israel's enduring exile. To read the Gospels is to be drawn in to a world of great complexity. Immediately we encounter passionate political conflicts, religious sects vying for power, palace intrigues, and the mounting threat of violence in the streets. It is into this world - the world of Israel in exile, grasping for a means of deliverance - that Jesus enters and announces "good news" (literally: the word of victory). And it is this world that we must understand if we are to comprehend Jesus' message and the responses of those who witnessed him. In this second installment of the "Next Steps...Gospels" series, we explore the inter-testamental period of Jewish history: the political developments, the religious responses the various parties that competed for power, and Israel's vision of what "salvation" would entail. Join us as we learn more about the Pharisees and Sadducees, the Essenes and Zealots, Herod, Rome, exile, and the long-awaited fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham. Kirk Winslow no http://www.jesusat2am.com/2011/11/20/introduction-to-the-gospels/ http://www.jesusat2am.com/2011/11/20/introduction-to-the-gospels/#comments Sun, 20 Nov 2011 17:17:53 +0000 Kirk Winslow http://www.jesusat2am.com/?p=141 http://www.jesusat2am.com/2011/11/20/introduction-to-the-gospels/feed/ 2 What defines a "gospel"? How and why were they composed? And how does this knowledge help us understand the message and ministry of Jesus? What defines a "gospel"? How and why were they composed? And how does this knowledge help us begin to interpret the message and ministry of Jesus? Kirk Winslow no http://www.jesusat2am.com/2011/11/19/now-podcasting/ http://www.jesusat2am.com/2011/11/19/now-podcasting/#comments Sat, 19 Nov 2011 22:12:56 +0000 Kirk Winslow http://www.jesusat2am.com/?p=129 http://www.jesusat2am.com/2011/11/19/now-podcasting/feed/ 0 http://www.jesusat2am.com/2011/10/21/define-devil/ http://www.jesusat2am.com/2011/10/21/define-devil/#comments Fri, 21 Oct 2011 21:42:49 +0000 Kirk Winslow http://www.jesusat2am.com/?p=77 http://www.jesusat2am.com/2011/10/21/define-devil/feed/ 1 http://www.jesusat2am.com/2011/01/25/heart-soul-mind-and-strength/ http://www.jesusat2am.com/2011/01/25/heart-soul-mind-and-strength/#comments Wed, 26 Jan 2011 01:50:00 +0000 Kirk Winslow http://www.jesusat2am.com/?p=73 http://www.jesusat2am.com/2011/01/25/heart-soul-mind-and-strength/feed/ 1 http://www.jesusat2am.com/2010/02/04/an-evening-prayer-from-the-siddur/ http://www.jesusat2am.com/2010/02/04/an-evening-prayer-from-the-siddur/#comments Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:05:51 +0000 Kirk Winslow http://www.jesusat2am.com/?p=65 http://www.jesusat2am.com/2010/02/04/an-evening-prayer-from-the-siddur/feed/ 0