Question: Why do some people call you a heretic?
QUESTION: Why do some people call you a heretic? RESPONSE: To answer that question carefully, because it’s important, I need to embed it in a few other questions. First, what is a “heretic”? Second who calls me a heretic? Why do some call me a heretic? Am I a heretic? What do I believe? What […]
When Holy Mercy Touches the Dust of Death – Brad Jersak
Luke 7:11-17 (NRSV) Jesus Raises the Widow’s Son at Nain 11 Soon afterwards he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. 12 As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow; […]
“Does God Punish?” Brad Jersak
Q: Brad, I have been told that you do not believe that God punishes. I have not listened to your sermons that contain such views. Would you please respond to this criticism? A: Thanks for asking. Of course to say either that God does or does not punish would be a very unnuanced claim for […]
“It is Finished”” The Cross as our Cosmic Axis – Brad Jersak
“Tetelestai,” cried Jesus, “It is finished!” (John 19:30). God’s redemptive plan, which began its arc in ages past, comes to its telos—its end-goal, its climax, it fulfillment—on the Cross. The “Lamb slaughtered from the foundation of the cosmos” (Revelation 13:8), now dying in space-time history under Pontius Pilate, calls out, “It is finished! Accomplished!” Christ […]
Luther at 500 – Oct. CWR Magazine available online
CLICK HERE to read now Brad Jersak: Luther at 500: Reformation Then & Now – pg. 1 Ruth Tucker: Katie Luther – pg. 5 10 Things You Might Not Know about Luther – pg. 6 Brad Jersak: Reformation Now: Claims and Calls – pg. 7 Jessica Williams: I Am a Small Boat on a Raging […]
The Color of Truth – Brad Jersak (with Eric Allaby)
On my first visit to Grand Manan Island, I met a new friend. Eric Allaby is a kind and fascinating soul who was born on this lobster paradise off the coast of New Brunswick. In the early 1960s, he was among the first to introduce scuba diving to the herring fishery (cf. weir fishing) and […]
“He freed me from all my fears” – Really? Brad Jersak
A reader was struggling through Psalm 34 and sent this insightful cluster of questions: QUESTION I was reading in 1 Peter 3 and Peter quotes a scripture from Psalm 34:12-16. It starts out good but by verses 15-16, David starts to develop a different picture of the Lord than what I’m used to. God is […]
Your Playlist Tells a Story about You … or Sorts – Brad Jersak
My Favorite Music: Recently, an author friend who I’m just getting to know sent me this request: “Got time for a short getting-to-know-you game? Music is such an individual taste. I’d enjoy getting to know you better – how about we share (quickly) Three Favorite Songs — with one short sentence about “Why this song?” A […]
“I Needed Color” – Jim Carrey, Jesus and Healing Color
Jim Carrey is one of kind. Well, we all are, right? But so often we see others in monochrome and are blind to the enormous palette of color that makes every one of us living miracles of God’s affection. In Carrey’s case, the spectrum is broad to the point of shocking, for his zany comic […]
The Immeasurable Mercies of God – Brad Jersak
Prayer: O Lord our God, your might is beyond compare, your glory is beyond comprehension, your mercy is immeasurable and your love for humankind is inexpressible. According to your compassion, O Master, look down on us and bestow on us your rich mercies and compassions. For to you are due all glory, honor and worship—to […]