Bach on Faith
David Maxwell at the organ for J. S. Bach’s Credo Fugue
Think and Speak in Greek
How to dream in the language the Apostle Paul spoke
More Bach from the Organ Bench
David Maxwell reflects on – and plays – the Bach hymn “Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now.”
“The Devil is a Liar and So is His Father”: Why Greek Matters
…and why seminary students take Summer Greek
J. S. Bach on the Holy Spirit
How Bach transforms, as only Bach can, an ancient hymn to the Holy Spirit
Artificial Intelligence: Should We Be Concerned?
How a theologian programmed an A.I. network … and what he learned from it
Easter 2 • John 20:19–31 • April 3, 2016
By David Maxwell The Breath of God “[Jesus] breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld” (Jn 20:22–23). This is not the first time that God breathed on human beings. By breathing ..
Proper 14 • Job 38:4–18 • August 10, 2014
By David R. Maxwell This text emphasizes the transcendence of God. The question for the preacher is, “Why do we need to know that God is transcendent? How does God’s transcendence function in our theology and our lives?” In the context of Job, God’s transcendence serves to undermine any claim we may have on God. We like to ..
Lent 4 • 2 Corinthians 5:16–21 • March 10, 2013
By David R. Maxwell New Creation, New Identity In this reading, Paul employs two dominant themes: 1) new creation and 2) reconciliation. Are these the same thing? Or does reconciliation correlate with justification, while new creation correlates with sanctification? Or is there some other distinction being made here? I would suggest that new creation and ..
Easter 3 • Acts 3:11–21 • April 22, 2012
By David R. Maxwell God Has Glorified His Servant Jesus This pericope recounts Peter’s speech to the crowds after he heals a lame beggar. There are at least two “big picture” questions the preacher needs to wrestle with in order to preach on this text. First, what are we to infer from the miracle? Unlike ..
Easter 2 • Acts 5:12–20 (21–32) • April 11, 2010
Homiletical Helps on LSB Series C—Old Testament
by David R. Maxwell
Lent 5 · Mark 10: (32-34) 35-45 · March 29, 2009
By David R. Maxwell The Slave of All The Passion Prediction (Mark 10:32-34) This is the third time Jesus predicts his death and resurrection in Mark. The first time, Peter takes him aside and rebukes him (Mk 8:31-32). The second time, the disciples do not understand and are afraid to ask him about it (Mk ..