Preaching the Scriptures

  The Rev. Jeremiah Williamson Acts 8:26-40   The Persistent Eunuch   Philip is basically an Avenger.   He’s a super hero powered by the same Holy Spirit that raised Christ from the dead.   He runs faster than a horse-drawn chariot.   He can teleport.   He is apparently a pedagogical genius.   And he is endowed with the sacramental authority to make new Christians.   It is all very impressive.   Philip is an impressive guy.   But I would argue that there is something far more miraculous than even teleportation happening in this story from the book of Acts.   The real miracle, the most amazing detail, is that this Ethiopian eunuch is still reading the Bible.   The eunuch had traveled all the way to Jerusalem to worship – not to tour the ancient sites, not for a few days of respite, but to merely stand in the House of God, to sway with the prayers of the congregation, to hear the Torah portion echo through ...

The Rev. Jeremiah Williamson Acts 8:26-40 Gender, sex, and Jesus' love If it seems we have been talking about gender and sexuality in the Church forever, it's probably because we have.   In the past few decades, we've focused most of our energy on the sacraments of ordination and marriage.   We have talked about the ordination of gays and lesbians; we have talked about the blessing of same-sex relationships and the nature of marriage.   Occasionally, we do the conversations well; sometimes we actually dialogue – even disagree – about the complexity of human sexuality in a Christian spirit of generosity, respect, and reconciliation.   More often we do it poorly – disregarding our baptismal vows to love our neighbors as ourselves and to respect the dignity of every human being – leaving the body of Christ fractured.   But difficult conversations are nothing new to the church.   Since the very birth of our religion, Christians have disagreed...