Epiclesis Epiclesis

Where do we go when we die? Are we going to get new bodies? Who do we live for in the meantime? Paul's second letter to the Corinthians is full of very practical theology. It's also full of a lot of plain, personal talk from Paul. In making his case for the ministry and mission that Christ gave him, he's taking on what must have been serious charges from some detractors in Corinth.

In this teaching from our series on 2 Corinthians, we hear from Paul about our future home and body, the Spirit's work in us, death, judgement, and living for Christ in the meantime.

The photo posted here is of ruins of ancient Corinth and comes from Theodoros Karasavvas.

We're in the middle of a little series on Paul's second letter to the church in Corinth. There are plenty of places in this very personal letter where Paul is primarily defending his ministry against Corinthians detractors. But there are also plenty of places where that plain, practical language breaks out into beautiful theology-- even foundational theology.

Our focus in this teaching is the promises of God met in Christ, our being like jars of clay, and speaking the truth because we believe.

Join Pastor Chris as he takes a look at spots in 2 Corinthians 1, 3, and 4.

The artwork associated with this posting is "St. Paul the Apostle Writing His Epistles" and is attributed to Valentin de Boulogne (1591-1632).

Pastor Chris began a series looking at the second of Paul's letters to the church at Corinth. Along the way, he shared some treasured excerpts from letters he had received many years ago from his parents, and also shared a curious passage about a mythical archaeological dig. What might any of those things have to do with Paul's correspondence with a Greek church long ago? Join us!



The map of the Mediterranean and Corinth that Pastor Chris referred to can be found here, and the humorous "archeological drawing" from Motel of the Mysteries can be found here.

The photo attached to this podcast post is a detail of the "Papyrus 46," an early third century Greek New Testament manuscript. This particular fragment is part of a folio that contains a portion of 2 Corinthians 11.

The familiar story of Jesus’ nighttime conversation with the Pharisaic leader, Nicodemus, centers on the “birth from above,” a birth that allows us both to see and enter the Kingdom of God. Audible whispers of the One True God as Triune echo throughout the conversational exchange. Although the Church’s teaching on the Trinity is so deeply rooted in the Scriptures and the deepest theological reflections of the Church, and although trinitarian teaching is one of the most foundational and distinctive teachings of the Christian faith, it is a doctrine that, while surely acknowledged by orthodox believers, is avoided and neglected.

The doctrine of the Trinity is thought to be merely abstract and philosophical, largely detached from day-to-day living. But trinitarian thought is at the center of God’s Being, as the God who “loves [us] and gave himself for [us]“ (Gal 2:20). God is love [agape]” (1 John 4:7), and agape love requires an “Other” to whom and for whom One offers Oneself in self-giving, humble, Other-centered service. This God of eternal, loving, communion is the One who gives us new birth, into the kingdom of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and into a new family of brothers and sisters in Messiah Jesus.



The image associated with this podcast is "Jesus and Nicodemus (a study)" by Henry Ossawa Tanner.

How do you respond to discomfort, discouragement, and disinformation in your life? Where do you turn to for comfort, encouragement, and guidance? On this Pentecost Sunday, we explored the roles and responsibilities of the Holy Spirit as outlined by Jesus. We also looked at four foundational disciplines that enable us to experience the Holy Spirit's comfort, encouragement, and guidance in our lives.

Cyprian of Carthage once wrote, "No one can have God for his Father who does not have the Church for his mother." Ever think of the church as being our mother? And here's another question we pondered on this Mother's Day (that was also Ascension Sunday): To whom did Jesus leave the gift of the Holy Spirit? Join Pastor Chris as he talks about the ways the church is, indeed, our mother-- and he recalls some tender (and funny) moments from childhood courtesy of his mom.

The photo attached to this podcast posting is of Pastor Chris and his mom, Lois, in about 1975.