Category Archives: Adult Bible Classes

The Blue Parakeet: The Story’s End, Part 1 (The Resurrection)

Posted on April 7, 2009 by Jay F Guin

We’ve covered the creation accounts, the sin of Adam and Eve, the Curse, God’s covenant with Abraham, and several strands of Old Testament thought that tie the Law of Moses tightly to Christianity, at least more tightly than we normally … Continue reading →

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The Blue Parakeet: More on the Law and Circumcised Hearts

Posted on April 3, 2009 by Jay F Guin

Again, when discussing this topic with the teachers, it occurred to me that there are many passages in the Old Testament that contradict the old saw that the Law was about an external, superficial worship, and New Testament Christians worship … Continue reading →

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The Blue Parakeet: Community, Part 2 (Salvation)

Posted on April 3, 2009 by Jay F Guin

While covering this week’s material with the teachers Wednesday night, I remembered an old post that might add some interesting depth to the subject. Here it is re-edited for our present purposes. Most commentaries, heavily influenced by Luther and Calvin, … Continue reading →

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The Blue Parakeet: Covenant Community

Posted on April 1, 2009 by Jay F Guin

Background After sin entered the world through Adam and Eve, God began the work of putting things right. This work begins most significantly through Abraham. Now, in my childhood, I was taught that there are three dispensations: Patriarchal, Mosaic, and … Continue reading →

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Amazing Grace: Can the Reader be Restored?

Posted on March 27, 2009 by Jay F Guin

I get emails — Jay, I’ve been reading The Holy Spirit and Revolutionary Grace online, and based on what the bible says and your interpretation of what the Hebrews passages say about a christian losing their salvation, I am pretty … Continue reading →

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The Blue Parakeet: The Story and Its Plot (Expanded)

Posted on March 15, 2009 by Jay F Guin

McKnight explains that the Story of the Bible is held together by 5 themes – * Creating Eikons (Genesis 1 – 2): Theme is Oneness * Cracked Eikons (Genesis 3 – 11): Theme is Otherness * Covenant Community (Genesis 12 … Continue reading →

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The Blue Parakeet: Reading the Bible as Story

Posted on March 11, 2009 by Jay F Guin

Then and now McKnight notes that most blue parakeets — passages in the Bible that we disagree over — can be dealt with by: That was then; this is now. The trick is knowing when to apply it and when … Continue reading →

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The Blue Parakeet: The Right Use of Tradition

Posted on March 11, 2009 by Jay F Guin

McKnight continues explaining the right way to read the scriptures. The way of returning to retrieve it all is not the biblical way. The biblical way is the ongoing adoption of the past and adaptation to new conditions and to … Continue reading →

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Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan: Total Commitment

Posted on February 25, 2009 by Jay F Guin

The lessons takes place at Caesarea, in the Plain of Sharon, on the Mediterranean. Herod enjoyed building things that defied nature. At Caesarea, he built into the Mediterranean. He built Roman baths, hot, cold, and lukewarm. His palace had a … Continue reading →

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Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan: Power to the People

Posted on February 25, 2009 by Jay F Guin

How was it possible for the disciples to suddenly have the willpower needed to change the world. We can find the answer at Pentecost, on the southern stairway at the temple mount. The southern stairs are inside the City of … Continue reading →

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