Just Sitting Here Thinking

Lesson on the kingdom of God, the Jewish background and tradition of St. John's vision of heaven, and the history and significance of Jerusalem to Judaism and Christianity.

Lesson on the marriage of Jesus and his church, justification by faith not deeds, and salvation through the gift of grace. 

Lesson on the further prophecies of Revelation, including the seven angels with seven trumpets and the ten kings, Roman persecution and early Christian martyrdom.

Lesson on the prophecy of the Seventh Seal and the Lamb who is worthy, and discussing the meaning of Christ's sacrifice at the crucifixion from the perspective of Luther, Calvin, Schleiermacher and other theologians.

To celebrate Easter, we revisit this introspective monologue on the apostle Simon Peter from 2003. As always, no notes - just an extemporized yet structured meditation based on heavy research.

Also available in VIDEO at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjwG-eUhOOw&t=1329s

Lesson on the background to the writing of the Book of Revelation - the Roman persecution of the Christians by the Emperor Domitian, St. John's exile to the isle of Patmos, and poetry and symbolism in the language of his visions.

The history of the church from the Holy Roman Empire to the Reformation, and the foundation of religious freedom in the American colonies which led to the war of independence.

Lesson on the history, authorship, metaphors and context of the Book of Revelation on Palm Sunday. Fulfilling the prophecy of the Messiah and Jesus as the sacrificial lamb.

Lesson continues with 1 John and the theme of love as a spiritual gift, the power and challenge of "Agape" love (love of God for us, and of us for God) that allows anyone from Mother Teresa to each of us every day to more deeply care for each other in the world and see each other with grace through Christ.

Lesson on the many ways the Bible shows, and many different religions agree that God is Love. Discussion of the "gospel of Love," the Apostle John, and the response of the John the Evangelist of the epistle of 1 John.