The Parable of the Wicked Tenants (Matthew 21:33-46) provides another example of a problematic Gospel passage that begs for context. Unfortunately, the way the Orthodox Church reads this parable on the 13th Sunday of Matthew only increases the difficulty of reading this parable with an open mind. But before we consider the difficulties of this …
What about the Ten Commandments?
The incident of Jesus and the rich young man (or 'ruler' in one version) poses some questions worth discussing. The man in question asks Jesus what he must do to receive eternal life. Jesus goes on to quote five of the "Ten Commandments" that Moses received on Mount Sinai. Here are the commandments as they are …
Did Jesus Really Say…?
Last Sunday's Gospel reading in the Orthodox Church presented some serious conundrums - serious at least to me, but perhaps not to anyone else. Here is the Gospel passage as it was read at Liturgy: The Lord said this parable: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with …
Into the Midst of Theology
Transfiguration is often connected to idea of theosis in Orthodox theology. But it’s a static conception of “theosis": Peter wants to stay on the mountain and be wrapped in the outpouring of divine glory. But Jesus says, no, pack up and let’s go back down where real divine glory is to be found. Abide in …
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