I don’t know why I'm finding the ending of Acts so anticlimactic. Maybe it’s because I’ve been reading it through a contemplative lens, and there’s nothing very contemplative about what’s going on here. We get told about maneuvers by the Roman authorities to keep Paul safe, and there’s something of the potboiler about this section, … Continue reading Acts 23:12-35 Playing with status
By my count, this is the fourth big retelling of the scriptural narrative in the Acts of the Apostles. First, Peter retold the story on Pentecost. Then Stephen retold the story when he was brought before the temple authorities. The third retelling was Peter again, talking to Cornelius’ household. At each retelling the emphasis has … Continue reading Acts 13:13-52 Spoken from the Bridge
The first retelling of the story of Jesus and the disciples took place on the day of Pentecost, and Peter was the storyteller. This second retelling occurs before a much more hostile audience, and the storyteller is Stephen, who was unknown to us, though present, on Pentecost. The church has raised up new storytellers for … Continue reading Acts 7:1-60 The Second Retelling
We have talked about how the Christian response to fear and to the loss of political and social power is present-mindedness, superrational hope, and a willingness to enter into suffering. Now we come to the final response and expectation, the release of identity. Again, Jesus is with the Pharisees, although now he’s banqueting with them, … Continue reading Luke 14:1-24 The Death of Identity
When Jesus comes down the mountain, he is not meek and mild. He seems to chastise a parent whose son is possessed. He rebukes the disciples for wanting to consume the Samaritan village with fire. Set against this is his kindness to a little child, his refusal to ostracize exorcists who aren’t in the in-group. … Continue reading Luke 9:28-62 The Transfiguration
KPB Stevens 