Is the aim of an enlightened Christian to finally understand the mystery of the Kingdom of God? Or - is the aim simply to understand that it is a mystery? Jesus and John the Baptist have this very discussion in Matthew 11. Look and see...listen and hear.
What attracts God? A life of perfection? Doing only the right things? I have been surprised to discover that a dysfunctional life does not a disqualify a person with God. Biblically...theologically...it is dysfunction that is the invitation for God to come hover over your life.
What does it really mean to be "saved"? Take a look at Matthew 1 and Matthew 28 as bookends signifying the simplicity of the Gospel - the hope and promise that God saves. Why? Because God is with us.
It's a parable that has been preached and re-preached...because of this, The Prodigal Son from Luke 15 has lost its edge of effectiveness in many settings. Let's take the stone of history to see if we can't bring back the razor sharp edge that has allowed this parable of Jesus to cut through the hardened [...]
