Author: Administrador

Like the charming tales in Kipling’s Jungle Book, the stories in Genesis 3-11 originally tried to answer age-old questions such as: Why is childbirth painful? Or why do people speak different languages? In Genesis, however, these stories have been refashioned to present us with a picture of humanity repeatedly shattering the relationship with God established … Continue reading “Genesis 6:9-22; 7:24; 8:14-19 Commentary by Mark Throntveit”

Reading the Genesis 3 text in light of Jesus’ confrontations with people who thought he was “out of his mind,” focuses our attention on expectations about the relationships between God and humans, and humans and creation.* From the beginning of this scene — before we arrive at the articulated differences between God and the humans … Continue reading “Genesis 3:8-15 Commentary by Melinda Quivik”

The book of Genesis begins with two different but complementary stories of God’s creation of the world. Two Creation Stories and Two Portrayals of God In Genesis 1, God is portrayed as speaking from afar, bringing order out of chaos in a well planned and carefully structured progression of six days of creation. God repeatedly … Continue reading “Genesis 2:18-24 Commentary by Dennis Olson”

It could very well be that the familiarity of this passage breeds contempt, or at least, a desire to investigate the other lectionary texts for this Sunday! Or, perhaps the content seems too narrowly focused to the topic of marriage. With different marriage amendments passing in different states in America, perhaps these conversations feel worn … Continue reading “Genesis 2:18-24 Commentary by Sara Koenig”

Genesis is an origin story: a prosaic telling of how things came to be the way they are. Genesis is poetry in prose, a theological accounting of how things that were seen, known, and imagined came to be. The text is replete with puns, double-entendres, and multiple readings. The adam, the earthling created from the … Continue reading “Genesis 2:18-24 Commentary by Wil Gafney”

Context means everything. If one reads Genesis 2–3 against the backdrop of Christian theology and tradition, themes such as “Original Sin” or “the Fall” emerge. Within the context of the lectionary, the idea of temptation is prominent for this first Sunday in Lent. This is appropriate, since Lent is a season of repentance and reflection. … Continue reading “Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 Commentary by Frank M. Yamada”

The Old Testament lectionary texts for the six Sundays of Lent each year typically touch on selected high points in the story of God and Israel. How a Preacher Might Approach the Old Testament Texts for Lent This Year Thus, the preacher has an opportunity to walk a congregation through the “grand narrative” of the … Continue reading “Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 Commentary by Dennis Olson”

The lectionary reading for this first Sunday of Lent has often suffered from some serious misinterpretations: First, consider the “woman is to blame” interpretation, according to which Eve is considered to be the weaker sex and thus susceptible to the snake’s theories, in addition to being a temptress herself, so leading her innocent husband astray … Continue reading “Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 Commentary by Juliana Claassens”

The text of Genesis 2:4b-25 will feel familiar to many preachers. In contrast to the creation story of Genesis 1:1-2:4a, this week’s passage begins with the Lord God forming man (Hebrew adam) from the dust of the ground (adamah). God continues creative activity through the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, the great … Continue reading “Genesis 2:4b-25 Commentary by Roger Nam”

This text (Genesis 2 and 3) marks the beginning of the nine-month narrative lectionary. Preachers may take this opportunity to proclaim its message of grace and educate the congregation on what the text actually says. The lectionary text begins with creation of the ‘adam. It is probably best to avoid using the word “man” (NRSV) … Continue reading “Genesis 2:4b-7, 15-17; 3:1-8 Commentary by Beth L. Tanner”