Teaching (and Learning) Greek
Or: Why New Testament Greek is Like a Football Game
Recapping SBL 2018
Jim Voelz on this year’s Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting
At Table with Martin Franzmann—and Beyond
Saying grace with the sainted poet and professor
Proper 5 • Luke 7:11–17 • June 5, 2016
By James Voelz Introduction and Overview This well-known pericope is “typical” of Luke’s Gospel in several important ways. Chief is the portrayal of Jesus as a prophetic figure (in something of a contrast to Matthew, where he is more obviously a Yahweh and Moses figure). This theme is initiated and made programmatic for the third Gospel ..
Lectionary@Lunch Live – Mark 7:24-37
In a special excerpt from his online D.Min. course on Mark, Prof. Jim Voelz discusses the Gospel pericope for the 15th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 18), in the context of the Year B lectionary
Lectionary@Lunch – Mark 7:1-23
In a special excerpt from his online D.Min. course on Mark, Prof. Jim Voelz discusses the Gospel pericopes for both the 13th and 14th Sundays after Pentecost (Proper 16 [Mk 7:1-13] and 17 [Mk 7:14-23]), in the context of the Year B lectionary
Proper 14 • Ephesians 4:17–5:2 • August 9, 2015
By James Voelz This pericope is typical of the latter portion of Paul’s letters, that is, it deals with everyday matters of the Christian life (cf. 2 Thes 3). As is the case in most of Paul’s letters the first portion of Ephesians focuses upon more overtly doctrinal matters, the second on more practical concerns. In ..
Lectionary@Lunch Live – Mark 6:45-56
In a special excerpt from his online D.Min. course on Mark, Prof. Jim Voelz discusses the Gospel pericope for the 9th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 12), in the context of the Year B lectionary
Lectionary@Lunch Live – Mark 6:30-44
In a special excerpt from his online D.Min. course on Mark, Prof. Jim Voelz discusses the Gospel pericope for the 8th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 11), in the context of the Year B lectionary
Encomium for William Carr, Upon His Retirement
Professor Jim Voelz offers a tribute to Professor Carr, as he and his wife Nedra retire at the end of this academic year
Why Go to Scholarly Society Meetings?
The value of continuing education, for professors and pastors alike
Hermeneutics and Hearing
For the first time ever, I saw someone lead the liturgy from a tablet. What does this mean?
Proper 10 • Isaiah 55:10–13 • July 13, 2014
By James W. Voelz Preliminary Thoughts It is easy to treat this text non- or a-historically, preaching a generalized sermon about the word of God and its power, especially in verses 10–11. Such a sermon would not be unorthodox, but it would not be textual. These four verses, as all pericopes, are situated in a context, first literarily/textually, and ..
Proper 10 • Colossians 1:1-14 • July 14, 2013
By James W. Voelz Editor’s note: An abbreviated form of this Homiletical Help appeared in the Spring 2013 Concordia Journal. The full commentary written by Dr. Voelz is provided here. Introduction The book of Colossians has had its authenticity questioned from the nineteenth century onward, though not before. Much of the problem lies in its similarity to ..
On the Death of my Mother
It was the call I was dreading. The hospice nurse phoned during chapel at the seminary with the news: “Your mother has 24-48 hours to live.” At 95, my mother had been in decline for about six months, and in rather severe decline for almost 3 ½ weeks, from just before Christmas. So out I ..
A Jewish-Christian Dialogue and the Messiah Question
Is Jesus the “Messiah” of Isaiah 9-11?