Parable of the Talents – Updated

When Jesus told stories he did not have to explain the background, because he used every day objects and customs.  We who live in the 21st Century sometimes need help with understanding sheep, grapes and ancient business practices.  For this reason I re-wrote the parable in a contemporary format.  This might be something you could use for your own benefit – the process of translating the story to a current format will help you observe the original more closely. 

It is not possible to preserve everything of the original and we don’t want to replace it, or even compete with it.  The point is to create a bridge from here to there.  Once you travel the bridge, you don’t need it any longer.

Click here to read: ACME

Story Time – Matthew 24,25

So, if you happen to be at Bethany EFC this Sunday, you can tell me later what you think of “storytelling” preaching.

Incognito: The Powers that Be

You have heard the expression, “the powers that be”.  It comes from a biblical reference found in the King James version of the Bible.

Romans 13:1 “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.  For there is no power but of God; the powers that be are ordained by God..”

The bible does not say, overall, that governments are always correct, or that they must always be obeyed (see Exodus 1, the Midwives; Daniel 3, refusing to worship the image; Acts 4; preaching when it is forbidden). It says that governments (“powers that be”) are an institution created by God and accountable to God.  Believers ought to submit to government, for that reason.  The exception to that has been cleverly stated in this way:

We obey unless they command what God forbids

or forbid what God commands.