intertextual
The lens of Jesus's wisdom story about the Lost Son in Luke 15 illuminates Psalm 34 and 2 Corinthians 5 — these three scriptures are assigned readings in for Year C Lent 4 lectionary of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA). Here are two reinterpretations of Psalm 34
Aligning with God's Truth
Here's a 275-word abridgment of Section V of The Seoul Statement from the Fourth Lausanne Congress convened in Korea in 2024 which is over 1,100 words long (see lausanne.org/statement/the-seoul-statement), intended for use as a creed or affirmation of faith in a worship service: We
Theological Politics
nostrils pinched as we attempt to console ourselves with the reminder that we are not beatifying or canonizing them . . . God has allowed our virtue or lack thereof to be magnified in two particularly dismal nominees
Liturgy
Here is a sampling of verses about the marginalized, arranged in five couplets which can be used as a call-and-response creed. New Living Translation (NLT) © 2015 Tyndale. Aligning with God’s Truth He ensures that orphans and widows receive justice. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and
Vocation
DWYL As-Long-As-Your’re-Happy . . . Follow-Your-Heart . . . Be-True-To-Yourself . . . Believe-In-Yourself . . . Live-Your-Truth . . . Be-Your-Best-Self . . . Do-What-You-Love — the aphorisms of our day are elegant. They sound like beautiful advice. They’re certainly enticing. Who wouldn’t want to be their best self? Who wouldn’t want to do what they love? Who wouldn’t want what makes them
Translation
Here's my translation of excerpts from Romans chapter 8 for a responsive creed. There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his own Son as a sacrifice for our sins. Therefore you have
Aligning with God's Truth
Here's an abbreviation of the Athanasian Creed from the late 400s CE, arranged as a responsive affirmation of faith, based on the translation published by the Christian Reformed Church in 1988. Not nearly as well known as the Nicene Creed (c.381) and the Apostles Creed (c.714)
Aligning with God's Truth
This arrangement is mostly drawing from the ESV and NLT, along with my own translation. Cursed is anyone who carves or casts an idol and secretly sets it up! Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater worshiping the things of this world. Cursed is anyone who
Aligning with God's Truth
You must be holy because I, Yahweh your God, am holy. Live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. Be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. Do not harvest the
Translation
Here's my translation of excerpts from the Letter of First John, arranged as a responsive affirmation of faith. We proclaim what we have seen and heard, so that you too may share in our fellowship — the fellowship with God the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. If
Translation
Here's my translation of excerpts from Isaiah chapter 42-44 arranged for a responsive creed. I am drawing upon John Oswalt's commentary, the Names of God Bible, the ESV, and the CSB. “I have put my Spirit on my Chosen One with whom I am pleased.” “He
Translation
Here's a fresh translation of excerpts from 1 Cor 12 arranged for a responsive affirmation of faith. My fellow believers, I don’t want you to be confused about spiritual realities. For you know full well that when you were unbelievers you were often led astray in one