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Tag Archives: Ray Vander Laan
Colossians: Introduction
This summer, I’ll be teaching an adult Bible class on Colossians and Ephesians. I’ve decided to start with Colossians, because I’m very familiar with Ephesians and not so familiar with Colossians. In fact, it’s a letter that’s not studied that … Continue reading
Posted in Colossians, Uncategorized
Tagged All, Church of Christ Links, Colossians, Ray Vander Laan
4 Comments
The Holy Spirit: John’s Gospel: Chapters 3 and 4
Spirit without measure (John 3:34 ESV) 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. This is a classic proof text, going back at least to H. Leo Boles’ famous book on … Continue reading
Posted in Holy Spirit and Providence, Uncategorized
Tagged All, Church of Christ Links, H. Leo Boles, Holy Spirit, John, Ray Vander Laan
38 Comments
The Holy Spirit: The Synoptic Gospels, Part 3
Missionaries (Mat 10:16-22 ESV) 16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you … Continue reading
The Cruciform God: The Gospel of Suffering, Part 2
We’re continuing our study of Michael J. Gorman’s Inhabiting the Cruciform God. We are now well-beyond the book, but continuing to explore its implications. I would like to offer two suggestions and to dismiss a third — First, when I … Continue reading
Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan: “My Yoke Is Easy”
Jesus taught, (Mat 11:28-30) “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you … Continue reading
Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan: “Abolish” and “Fulfill”
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus introduced a large section of his teaching by saying, (Mat 5:17-18) “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but … Continue reading
Posted in Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan, Uncategorized
Tagged All, Faith Lessons, Ray Vander Laan, Sermon on the Mount
8 Comments
Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan: The Fifth Cup
The Lord’s Supper was instituted as part of a Passover meal. The Passover, of course, celebrates God’s deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage. By the time of Jesus, the meal was celebrated with four cups of wine, each reflecting a … Continue reading
Posted in Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan, Uncategorized
Tagged All, communion, Eucharist, Faith Lessons, Lord's Supper, Passover, Ray Vander Laan
12 Comments
Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan: On the Prodigal Son and Thinking the Eastern Way, Part 2
Now, there’s a much more subtle point that Jesus makes, that the teachers of the law would likely have picked up. In the Psalms, nearly every metaphor used for God is about his power, his strength, and his holiness. But … Continue reading
Posted in Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan, Uncategorized
Tagged All, Faith Lessons, Prodigal Son, Ray Vander Laan
6 Comments
Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan: On the Prodigal Son and Thinking the Eastern Way, Part 1
The Western mode of thought comes from the ancient Greeks. We think abstractly. We like to take what we learn apart, see how it’s made, and extract the underlying principles. RVL’s students in high school have to dissect a frog … Continue reading
Posted in Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan, Uncategorized
Tagged All, Faith Lessons, Prodigal Son, Ray Vander Laan
10 Comments
Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan: The Good Samaritan
RVL tells the story of being in class in a Jewish university. The rabbi taught the Parable of the Good Samaritan, as taught by Rabbi Yeshua (Hebrew for “Jesus”), and he declared this the greatest parable ever told! The Jewish … Continue reading
Posted in Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan, Uncategorized
Tagged All, Faith Lessons, Good Samaritan, Ray Vander Laan
8 Comments
