by jakeowensby | Nov 22, 2019 | grace, Luke 23:33-43
Each week a few devout atheists respond to my essays. Mostly on social media rather than on the blog or via email. Some of them want to engage in a genuine way. Others are snarky and dismissive and apparently want nothing more than to announce how dim I am. Recently,...
by jakeowensby | Apr 12, 2019 | Luke 23:1-49
In everyday conversation people say “God” a lot. They say “Thank God” and “Praise God.” “For God’s sake” and “Good God.” When my maternal grandmother was surprised or astonished she used to press her palms against her cheeks and say, “Mein Gott!” in a sort of Austrian...
by jakeowensby | Mar 23, 2018 | Mark 14:1-15:47, Palm Sunday B
Jesus chose to die. He could have ducked the authorities. Skipped town with Mary Magdalene. Maybe the two of them could have made their way to Egypt, rented a humble apartment, set up a little carpentry business, had a few kids, and eventually retired contentedly in...
by jakeowensby | Sep 8, 2017 | Exodus 12:1-14
Jesus was born in captivity. How odd that must sound. At the mention of Jesus’ birth many of us think of mangers and shepherds and angels and the little town of Bethlehem. Sure, Mary went into labor on the road far from home. Baby Jesus came into the world in a...
by jakeowensby | Apr 12, 2017 | Uncategorized
The news broke Monday that there had been a shooting at an elementary school in San Bernardino. Images of Sandy Hook—slain children and teachers littering hallways and classrooms—flooded my imagination. Within minutes media outlets had clarified the incident. A man...
