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Understanding the Bible 15: Jesus’s Story Begins

January 26, 2014March 26, 2014Kirk WinslowOne Comment

In our modern translations of the Bible, all one has to do to move from the Hebrew scriptures to the story of Jesus is turn a page – a action so simple it suggests the connection between the two “testaments” is obvious. Of course the story of Jesus is connected to the story of Abraham, Moses, David, Isaiah…they are physically bound together! The font is the same and everything.

But the early church was well aware that the connection was not obvious to many of their contemporaries, especially many Jews. Matthew, in particular – writing to a conservative, Jewish audience – took great pains to help bridge the stories, to demonstrate that the events of Jesus’s life are not only connected to Israel’s story of salvation, but the fulfillment thereof.

In this episode we look at Matthew’s presentation of the genealogy of Jesus – a passage that is very tempting to skim or skip entirely. But the details Matthew includes are essential understanding precisely how Jesus is the means by which the promises of God will be kept.

Understanding the Bible 14.875: Christmas (Christmas Eve 2013)

January 17, 2014March 7, 2014Kirk WinslowLeave a comment

There is no understanding the Bible without recognizing love at the center – or so I have been arguing from the first installment of this series. The whole project of salvation is rooted in the love of God for his people and indeed all creation.

And I imagine that this is not so hard to believe as a matter of literary criticism or even theology. But how do we internalize this truth? How do we own that we are loved by God in our bones?

For my part, I think one of the clearest looks at the love of God for us is given at Christmas – and not just in the humility of the incarnation (God willing to surrender the glory of heaven for a barn), but by the inherent intimacy that exists between parent and child.

In this episode – a short sermon on Christmas Eve – we look at the traditional nativity story (Luke 2:1-20) and get one of our most moving glimpses of the love of God.

Gospels, Part 3: Miracles – Salvation Enacted

December 6, 2011April 28, 2014Kirk WinslowLeave a comment

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.