Author: Administrador

In the United States, the American Dream is often proclaimed as if it were gospel: anyone who works hard and makes good choices can be happy and successful. The author of 1 Peter understands the gospel and its consequences quite differently. Don’t be surprised, he says, at the fiery trial that you are experiencing. Don’t … Continue reading “1 Peter 4:12-19 Commentary by Judith Jones”

These verses repeat and recast the pattern that 1 Peter has been emphasizing through the past weeks’ lessons. Believers should expect to share the defamation that the world directed at Christ. They should interpret this as a positive sign that they are replicating his way in the world successfully enough to offend their neighbors. In … Continue reading “1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 Commentary by A.K.M. Adam”

Talking about the “fiery ordeal” they were suffering (1 Peter 4:12), this passage opens with strong words which are not easily reconciled with the experience of the Church in the 21st century, especially in Europe and in North America. The Church and Suffering At the time of Peter, Christ-believers could experience this fiery ordeal in … Continue reading “1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 Commentary by Valerie Nicolet-Anderson”

The “living hope” that belongs to the good news of Christ’s resurrection even in the midst of persecution and suffering that marked the theme of last Sunday’s reading from the opening verses of 1 Peter still undergirds and shapes the reading for today which stands at the conclusion of this letter.  As readers and hearers … Continue reading “1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 Commentary by James Boyce”

If you’ve ever been to a church youth gathering you may well have seen a skit like this: A young man, probably in high school, sits reading his Bible while “Jesus” stands, smiling and glowing, at his shoulder. In comes a friend who invites him (the young man not Jesus) to a party. The young … Continue reading “1 Peter 3:18-22 Commentary by Karl Jacobson”

About ten years ago I became interested in the spiritual discipline of writing icons, a practice that has less to do with the applied skills of painting than with an ability to reflect prayerfully on the theological work of one’s hands. There is an order to the craft that must be strictly followed. Novices like … Continue reading “1 Peter 3:18-22 Commentary by Daniel G. Deffenbaugh”

I met a man today who is being threatened with deportation even though he has a Green Card. Although he is a man of peace who participates in nonviolent protests, although he worked with Christian pastors in an effort to free the hostages held by Iran during the Carter era, although he has a prison … Continue reading “1 Peter 3:18-22 Commentary by Judith Jones”

The harrowing of hell (3:19) has attracted the attention of poetic and illustrative imaginations throughout history–understandably so, since it seems to answer two provocative questions with an underdeveloped premise. What becomes of people who died before Jesus’ advent among us? And what was Jesus’ condition between his death on the cross and his resurrection? During … Continue reading “1 Peter 3:13-22 Commentary by A.K.M. Adam”

Suffering and harm are not the most popular topics when it comes to discussing the Christian life. The sufferings of the early Christ-believers In our society of instant gratification, it is not easy to seriously consider the idea that there is merit in facing difficulties for the sake of an idea or a belief. Depending … Continue reading “1 Peter 3:13-22 Commentary by Valerie Nicolet-Anderson”

The trumpets, the fanfare, and the antiphonal shouts of “He is risen! He is risen, indeed!” have receded into the background.  It is now the sixth Sunday of Easter; by now it may be somewhat difficult to sustain the excitement and positive outlook that only a few short weeks ago seemed so ready at hand. … Continue reading “1 Peter 3:13-22 Commentary by James Boyce”