Author Archives: Clark Bunch

What Makes Us Stronger: Perspective On 9/11

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The goal of terrorism is to disrupt the normal activities of a group by paralyzing its members with fear.  A decade later we can look back on the terror attacks of 9/11 with both historic and Christian perspective.

The World Trade Center towers in New York represented the financial strength of capitalism.  The Pentagon in D.C. is the headquarters of our nation’s military prowess.  And while the target of Flight 93 is subject to speculation, the White House and Capitol buildings are the literal seat of our Federal Government.  Not only would large numbers of individuals be injured and killed, our very institutions would also be under attack.  Nearly 3,000 lives ended as a direct result of terrorist action, a reality that should not be downplayed.  But in another sense the ultimate goal of the 9/11 terrorists was never achieved.   Continue reading →

A Royal Priesthood

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If you’re a follower, online or in real life, you know how I feel about the Old Testament: everything is a metaphor.  The nation of Israel, sacrificial system, temple, alter, high priest, exodus from Egypt, brass serpent, passover, circumcision, etc. are all symbolic of what Christ does in the New Testament.  You’ve probably heard me say (or at least read) that Moses leading the Hebrews through the wilderness is a portrait of Jesus leading us through this present wilderness.  They were marching toward the “promised land” and so are we.  Abraham was willing to offer his son Isaac… you get the point.  Is there an analogy left that I could possibly make?  Why yes, yes there is.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.  –1 Peter 2:9

We – all Christians – are priests.   Continue reading →

Did God Need to Rest?

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God created the heavens and earth in six days, made man in his own image, and on the seventh day Genesis 2 says he rested.  He blessed the seventh day, made it holy, and rested.  Everything but man was spoken into existence.  He is infinite, almighty God; did one week of talking a lot really wear him out?

In the first place, the text doesn’t say he collapsed from exhaustion.  There is a difference between dropping dead and taking a break.  Rest is a gift.  Recall that when criticized for breaking the Sabbath by doing good works Jesus points out that “the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”  (ref)  One need not be on the verge of collapse to rest, but that’s still not even the point.

God did not rest because he was tired.  God leads by example.   Continue reading →

The Star Trek Sermon

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I’m a Trekkie.  I don’t think it’s ever come up here before, but I make no apologies for being a big fan.  I don’t have a Star Fleet uniform or anything, but do enjoy most of the series.  The original Star Trek aired on NBC from 1966 – 69.  That series made social and political commentary, sometimes dealing with very controversial issues, but in a sci-fi setting.  Gene Roddenberry wanted to share his vision for a better world, a world of peace and racial equality, not just entertain an audience.  There was always a “moral of the story” but some people were so entertained they were unaware of being educated.

Each Trek series has at least one character wrestling with the idea of being human.   Continue reading →

The Gospel 360

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There are 360 degrees in a complete circle.  Relating your conclusion to the introduction when making a speech is a good way to tie everything up neatly.  If you finish your career the way you started, or move back home after relocating many times, we say you have come “full circle.”  Jesus begins and ends his ministry on earth the same way – sharing the Gospel. Continue reading →

The Foolishness of the Cross

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Paul wrote to the Corinthians “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”  (1 Cor 1:18, KJV)

This is one of those occasions where I prefer the King James translation.  The ESV uses word of the cross instead of preaching, and chooses folly over foolishness.  The meaning is unchanged.  For those of us that have been Christians for many years, or perhaps in church our whole lives, we worship at the foot of the cross.  We sing hymns about the cross, decorate our churches with images of the cross; we glory in the crucified savoir.  Paul reminds us to never loose sight of the fact that to the world, to the unsaved, to those hearing the gospel for the first time – it sounds foolish. Continue reading →

How to Mix Christianity with Patriotism

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This isn’t really about how to mix Christianity with patriotism.  There are plenty of people already doing that.  But if you’re a follower, either online or in real life, you know that’s one of those things that makes me a little nervous.  I’ve been an American since birth and a Christian since age 12, but one is not synonymous with the other.  I get a little weird when Christians quote those Old Testament land promises God gave the Jews and act like those are about us.  A literal kingdom with borders and a king on the throne – that’s what God was doing then.  The kingdom he is building now is bigger than any one nation or one people.  We don’t live in a “Christian nation” either, and on that point I run the risk of starting a war of rhetoric.  We live in a free nation in which many people choose to practice Christianity without fear; but many choose not to as well.  The melting pot of many cultures, languages, races and religions is an essential part of our national identity.  We are not a Christian nation for instance the way Iran or Afghanistan are Muslim nations.  These are sermons I’ve preached before and I don’t want to get too distract before saying

However… Continue reading →

Pursuing Wisdom

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In the first Psalm, David contrasts the ways of the righteous and the wicked.  In the first chapter of Proverbs, Solomon does the same thing between the wise and the foolish.  He goes on to encourage his sons (and by extension all readers) to pursue wisdom.

David was a poet and a musician.  He not only wrote songs and played instruments, but he made trumpets for the temple musicians.  In Biblical times the Psalms were sung.  Think of this book as their hymnal.  Solomon was David’s son, and world renown for his wisdom.  The book of Proverbs is a collection of wisdom sayings, some perhaps written by Solomon himself and others collected.  In both cases, righteousness and wisdom must be pursued.  One must seek after them, like walking down a path.  There is more than one path, and we must think about which we are choosing. Continue reading →

Coming Soon…

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I know it’s been a while; almost a month.  The school year is over, graduation is past, and we’re back from our 2 week road trip.  I’m looking forward to get back into my routines: reading scripture in the morning, teaching during the day (summer school hours are shorter) and blogging in the afternoon.  I promise, once again, that I have not stopped blogging… just slowed down for a little while.

Mother’s Day 2011

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Happy Mother’s Day

I talked to my mother yesterday, but will not see her on this Mother’s Day.  She called to say my card arrived and that she enjoyed the Easter pics of her granddaughter.  Her birthday is in a couple of weeks, and we’ll get there in plenty of time for that.

Here’s the Mother’s Day sermon I posted 2 years ago.

Last year I did Instead of  a Mother’s Day sermon.

The latter is certainly not “light” on theology.  I will preach a variation of that post this morning.  Here’s a funny video for moms.  Enjoy your day 🙂