by Wade Berry | Oct 2, 2018 | Carroll Community, Scripture, Theology
For the last two weeks, we have been discussing, in one way or another, the first half of Matthew 6. We talked about Jesus’ perspective on the three pillars of first century Jewish piety and how those practices might improve our own spiritual lives. We also sought to...
by Wade Berry | Sep 25, 2018 | Carroll Community, Scripture, Theology
Last week, we talked about Jesus’ teachings about the pillars of first-century Jewish piety in Matthew 6:1-18. There is one aspect of that teaching, however, that we did not discuss. And we need to talk about it now. Why do we need to talk about it? We need to talk...
by Wade Berry | Sep 18, 2018 | Carroll Community, Scripture, Theology
Last week, we talked about the challenge of being “perfect” in our relations with those who hate us. Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:38-48 form a fitting climax to his exposition of, and expansion of, the Mosaic Law’s requirements. They challenge us to be more righteous...
by Wade Berry | Sep 11, 2018 | Carroll Community
I do not think that there is any portion of Scripture that gives me more intellectual and emotional difficulties than Matthew 5:38-48. There are so many ways that we could go in this discussion because there are so many difficult, and even controversial, things that...
by Wade Berry | Aug 14, 2018 | Carroll Community
In Matthew 5:31-37, Jesus shares his thoughts on what, at first glance, seems to be two different issues—divorce and the taking of oaths. But as I reflect upon these seemingly discrete pieces of Jesus tradition, I come to recognize that, at their heart, they express...
