Amid the Brain Fog of Wartime – Confessions of a ‘Doom-Scroller’ – Bradley Jersak
On Ash Wednesday, 2022, I write from a window-facing easy-chair, glancing over my laptop at the Northern Flicker pecking seed from a feeder, grasping for moments of stillness of heart. As an educator, I’m faced with the challenge of grading book reports and prepping lessons amid the brain fog of wartime, having spent an hour […]
The Cross in David’s Confession – Psalm 51 – Bradley Jersak
The Cross in David’s Confession – Psalm 51 – Bradley Jersak As I’ve stated in A More Christlike Word and previous articles, the Psalms often begin with what seem to be musical superscriptions. These ‘liner notes’ also frequently signal Messianic content, especially with the words, “To the end” (mistranslated “for the choir director” in many Bibles). “To […]
The Church: All of Creation, Seen from the End – Bradley Jersak on John Behr
A few years ago, I asked myself how I’d like to continue my studies, both in terms of professional development and also deepening my spiritual journey on the Jesus Way. I’m grateful to say that path now includes adopting Fr. John Behr of Aberdeen University as a valued teacher and friend. Although we share the […]
From “Woe!” to “Whoa!” – Bradley Jersak
I am troubled when I read Scripture’s heaviest divine warning—Woe to you!—especially when it comes from the mouth of Jesus Christ, and more so when I hear it land in my own heart. Christ brings out the ‘woe’ in the following passages (though some are duplicates): Matthew 11:20-21, 18:7, 23:13-16, 23-29, 26:24, Mark 14:21, Luke […]
“Reading from the End” (with Children) – Bradley Jersak
Hannah (an alias) is an undiscerning fan of R-rated literature. Granted, the exclusive focus of this compulsive vice is her daily dive into the Bible. For those who’ve actually read the Bible, this is of little comfort, given that she weighs in at just eight years old. It’s certainly alarming to her parents, who catch […]
Grace Creed & the so-called “Old Testament God” – Bradley Jersak
“THE OLD TESTAMENT GOD” A great part of my spiritual journey has been learning how to read Scripture in light of Jesus’s revelation of ‘a more Christlike God.’ More Christlike than what? More Christlike than I had reckoned, given the hellfire preaching of the revivalists I endured in my childhood. More Christlike than the literalist […]
Bald Prophets, Bear Attacks & Reading God’s Wrath – Brad Jersak with James Ihangwe
James Ihangwe Greetings! How are we to understand the young boys in the book of kings who mocked Elisha’s bald head and were mauled to death by bears. Certainly, this could not have come from the Lord. Elisha had cursed them in the name of the Lord when the bears came and mauled them. Bradley […]
Metamorphosis – Bradley Jersak
“Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed.“ -1 CORINTHIANS 15:51 In St. Paul’s “resurrection chapter” (1 Corinthians 15), he develops his vision of human resurrection after the pattern of Christ. On the one hand, he indicates that after we pass from this life into the […]
Q&R: Reduce striving by “Lord, have mercy” prayers – Bradley Jersak
Question If I understand you correctly, you believe that a posture of receiving, surrender, and gratitude are ways that prayer can be more “effective.” Do you have conscious prayer practices that allow for you to be less in a place of striving and more in that place of receiving, surrender, and gratitude? Response This is […]
Creation Out of Nothing – Robin Parry
The following five videos are Robin Parry’s fantastic little series on Creation, Transcendence, Immanence, and Causation. Each teaching is brief and super clear. Perfect for discussion in home groups, youth groups, or catechism classes. But also wonderful for your own clarity and nourishment. Creation out of nothing. Part 1: overview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEfWlZc_Qig This video sketches an […]