Interpreting the Old Testament: 3 Layers
QUESTION I grew up in a Christian tradition where literal interpretation is the only way to read the Bible. I have always loved stories such as Elijah’s confrontation with the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18) and how God came to him after Elijah fled for his life (ch. 19). But there is a lot […]
Jesus’ Nail Scars – Bradley Jersak
Question Did Jesus’ crucifixion nails go through his hands or his wrists? Does it matter? What matters? Response From earliest times—in both the Bible and sacred art, Christians have located Jesus’ nail scars on his hands. The strongest biblical indicator for doing so is in John 20, where we read that Jesus appears in the […]
Deliberate: from Despair, Denial & Doom to Prayer & Fasting – Bradley Jersak
As those who have read Out of the Embers will know, I regularly speak with my godfather, Davi Goa. And even more so when the burden I feel is heavy. Since Christ promised, “his yoke would be easy, and his burden light” (Matthew 11:30), I am suspicious when the load feels crushing. Lately, I have […]
Q&R: “What do we mean by ‘the blood of Jesus’?” – Bradley Jersak
“Jesus Blood Never Failed My Yet” was recorded by Gavin Bryars in 1971 for a documentary. One day Gavin left the studio for a cup of coffee while the song played back in a loop, and when he was back, he noticed that people around were moving slowly, some sitting alone, weeping. He realized the […]
Sow Well & Let Go of Outcomes – Bradley Jersak
“The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how.” (Mark 4:26-27) Letting Go of Outcomes Many of history’s greatest prophets and sages emphasized the importance of “sowing” well—i.e., offering our contribution […]
Q&R: “Are we saved by faith in Jesus”?
QUESTION Your teaching on the Gospel in Chairs has been impactful for me. It has been a great revelation about the heart of the Father and his grace and mercy. It gave me a new lens for reading the Old Testament. I first heard it some years ago, and then used that grace message to create […]
Q&R: When Children Present the Problem of Suffering
Question My 6-year-old fell down the stairs and hit his head, and got a concussion. Before bed tonight, he asked me, “If God is in control, and is powerful, and loves me, then why did he watch me fall and not help me?” Response Your child certainly is a deep thinker! And deep thinkers have […]
St. Stephen’s University Fall Report – Bradley Jersak
SSU Fall Module Report Nov 3 SSU Fall Module Report Nov 3
Longing, Striving, Struggling & Surrender – Bradley Jersak
QUESTION: I see folks around me working really hard to “press into” doing good works for God, having more time with God, etc, etc. “If I only did A, B or C more, it would all be better.” Their longing drifted towards striving. My question as a faith leader is how to address this. I […]
Gaza, Porphyrios & the Contagion of Violence – Bradley Jersak
Headlines of the October 19th bombing of the Church of St. Porphyrios in Gaza rocked the world for a brief news cycle. I witnessed the sickening images of sections of the world’s third oldest church (407 AD), where over 100 civilians sought shelter, now reduced to ruins. Eighteen confirmed dead, including two entire families and […]