Tag Archives: God

The Divine Command: Love Him, Kill Them (Deuteronomy 7): A Sermon

Posted on October 14, 2019 by Rick Wadholm

The following is a message I shared in response to several questions regarding the violence of God in the Old Testament. This message was preached at Crossroads Church in Bemidji, MN, Oct. 13, 2019. The title of the message is … Continue reading →

Posted in Deuteronomy, Sermon | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

‘What Does It Mean By “Submit”?’: A Question and a [Theological] Response

Posted on September 2, 2019 by Rick Wadholm

In the course of any given day, I may receive various questions regarding Scripture or theology. I personally love these as they are chances to reflect with others about what God has revealed and might be making known to and … Continue reading →

Posted in Ephesians, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Could It Be … Satan

Posted on November 3, 2018 by Rick Wadholm

I was recently asked by a friend how I might answer someone claiming to see Satan in the message of Ezekiel 28:1-19 (HERE is the passage). Here is my brief response: First, I point to 28.2 which specifically says “prince … Continue reading →

Posted in Ezekiel | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Sanctified Defilements: Cleansing Blood

Posted on June 29, 2018 by Rick Wadholm

This Sunday I will be preaching from Mark 5:21-43 concerning the raising of Jairus’ dead 12 year old daughter and the healing of the unclean woman with 12 years of bleeding. Such stories are all the more striking in light … Continue reading →

Posted in Communion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

On Earth As It Is In Heaven: A Brief Theological Reflection

Posted on February 17, 2018 by Rick Wadholm

“…on earth as it is in heaven…” While we might consider this from the trajectory of the revelation of the God to Israel preceding Jesus’ statement (which would be a fitting approach), we might also consider this statement as embodied in … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayer | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Grace Is Life

Posted on February 13, 2018 by Rick Wadholm

Today I had a student that I am mentoring who mentioned something I said in one of my classes: “Grace is life”. I had said this as part of my response to a student’s sermon addressing grace, but never defining … Continue reading →

Posted in Karl Barth, pastoral | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Bonhoeffer on God in the Gaps

Posted on January 10, 2015 by Rick Wadholm

This quote speaks (in part) to Bonhoeffer’s notion of the world “come of age” and a “religionless Christianity” that has only spoken to God where human knowledge is at its limits. Such cannot be the case. He wrestled with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Theology | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Eating Your Theology (Gen.1)

Posted on September 3, 2013 by Rick Wadholm

In Sunday School this week we covered Genesis 1. Something that struck me was verses 29-30: Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancient Near East, Biblical Studies, Genesis | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Asking for Blessing or Giving Thanks?

Posted on August 18, 2013 by Rick Wadholm

In a recent conversation, I noted a particular question that was posed about “blessing the food” when we gather to eat. Here are my reflections: We do not ask for the food to be blessed, per se, but we bless … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayer | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Revelation of Yahweh in the Exodus: The Theological Center

Posted on May 18, 2013 by Rick Wadholm

I was struck by a re-reading of Exodus recently as I meditated on just what the overarching theology of Exodus might be. The Scripture that struck me most strongly was Exodus 4:22 (NET): Thus says the Lord, ‘Israel is my … Continue reading →

Posted in Exodus, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments