by Wade Berry | Oct 16, 2018 | Carroll Community, Ministry, Scripture, Theology
“Enter through the narrow gate. The gate that leads to destruction is wide, and the avenue that leads to destruction is easily navigated—and many people find it. The gate that leads to life is narrow, and the road that leads to life is difficult to navigate—and only a...
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...
