Tag Archives: gospel

Ministry in Matthew: Scribes Trained for the Kingdom of Heaven

Posted on February 26, 2021 by Mark Love

At the very center of Matthew’s gospel we find parables on the kingdom of Heaven. It is the third of five sections of Jesus’ teaching which end with the phrase, “When Jesus had finished saying these things” (We will return … Continue reading →

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The heavens were torn asunder: ministry in Mark, part one

Posted on November 25, 2020 by Mark Love

In my estimation, there is no more beautifully crafted, enigmatic treatment of the life of Jesus than the gospel of Mark. From the packed introduction, to the passion predictions occupying the middle of the gospel, to the abrupt ending that … Continue reading →

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Preaching the startling news

Posted on February 14, 2017 by Mark Love

So, if part of the saving work of the gospel is to startle us into a new perception of the world (see my two previous posts), then what should the aim of preaching be? Preaching, every week preaching, should be … Continue reading →

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Some implications of being startled

Posted on February 11, 2017 by Mark Love

In my last post, I suggested that there is often a connection between the word “gospel” and being surprised. The good news is not the same old, same old, because it is truly startling. And I wondered if this might … Continue reading →

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Startled unto Salvation

Posted on February 8, 2017 by Mark Love

I’ve been thinking a lot about gospel and salvation these days, and some things are falling together in ways that they haven’t before. Let me begin with the idea that the gospel is “news.” Shocking, I know. But we tend … Continue reading →

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A little riff on Springsteen

Posted on January 24, 2017 by Mark Love

This past October, James Smith led our Streaming conference on worship and the formation of missional communities. He also supplied the title for the conference, “Everybody has a hungry heart,” a Springsteen lyric. We took his title and ran with … Continue reading →

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Words of Loss, Words of Hope

Posted on September 17, 2014 by Mark Love

I was in need last Friday. My friend, Jannie, was suddenly and unexpectedly dead. He was gone. Someone so alive and so indicative of what being alive has come to mean to me was now gone, not living in my … Continue reading →

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A Satisfying New Music Find

Posted on July 2, 2014 by Mark Love

Just a note for those always on the lookout for a new band, unlike my former colleague Jeff Childers, whose iTunes collection consisted of Boston, Foreigner and ABBA (hey, when you know what you like). My recent bout with illness … Continue reading →

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What has to be true

Posted on June 2, 2014 by Mark Love

I know the measure of the gospel is not my ability to believe it. It doesn’t stop being good news because I don’t believe it. But it does have to sound like good news to me for me to believe … Continue reading →

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Living in a bigger story than justification by faith: it doesn’t matter if you didn’t like the songs

Posted on April 7, 2014 by Mark Love

Last blog, I pursued the question of one of my students. If N.T. Wright is correct that justification by faith is not the heart of Paul’s gospel, what does that look like in church life. I began my response by … Continue reading →

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