By the Well

Sean and Fran explore the final episode in the book of Job (42:1-6; 10-17), noting the ‘happily ever after’ narrative resolution, the pastoral minefield that this poses in preaching, and the apparent theological inconsistency that Job’s blessing represents. We emphasise the vulnerability Job displays in his story and how counter cultural that is for wealthy, powerful people. The purpose of Job’s s...

Fran and Sean continue the conversation on Job for Pentecost 21, namely on Job 38:1-7 (34-41) when God recounts the wonders of her creation to Job. God reminds Job of his creatureliness. We discuss the comfort amidst suffering that might be derived for Job, and us, to be reminded of God’s care at every juncture of creation. Hebrews 5:1-10 outlines the priestliness of Christ as distinct from priest...

For Pentecost 20 Fran and Sean focus on Job’s profound sense of God’s absence in Job 23:1-9; 16-17. We note that Job has loudly rejected the theology  of his friends, who all assert that Job’s suffering is the result of his sin. Job’s is a bold and courageous stance is to defy them, and to continue to seek, approach, even rebel against God despite his ongoing despair. Psalm 22;1-15 is an echo of J...

Sally and Fran talk about the particular character of wisdom literature in Job (1:1; 2:1-10) and the urgent, pastoral and cosmic questions it asks about human suffering and theodicy. We touch on preaching against bad theology, and the way Job disrupts our human judgements. We invite a look at the Hebrews reading (Hebrews 1:1-4:2:5-12) for the radical way in which God in Christ speaks to the suffer...

Sally Douglas continues in the co-host chair this week, Pentecost 18. She and Fran talk about the enigmatic and troubling story of Esther (7:1-6, 9-10). We note the dynamics of diaspora; the role of human ingenuity and faithfulness in the face of appalling oppression, and name the challenges and possibilities of preaching from Esther. James 5:13-20 focuses on the communal character and many manife...

This week Sean Winter and Sally Douglas continue to explore texts from Proverbs, James, and Mark. Proverbs 31:10–31 invites reflections on the ways that a portrayal of the ideal wife might point the reader to the figure of Lady Wisdom, and the character of God. James 3:13–4:3, 7–8a offers practical advice as to what wisdom looks like in the life of a community, and how the community is invited to...

Sean and Fran continue a foray into Proverbs (1:20-33), where Wisdom is in the public square decrying those who obstinately refuse to adhere to her precepts;  James 3:1-2, where James warns against the havoc our tongue can cause, and that pivotal chapter in Mark 8:27-38 when Peter confesses Jesus as Messiah.  Themes of speaking, silence and truth echo throughout all the passages. James cautions ag...

Sean Winter joins the co- host chair for Pentecost 15 where we focus on the nature of wisdom literature in  Proverbs (Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23) and the way this tradition is developed christologically by the writer of James (James 2:1-10 (11-13), 14-17). Both readings deal with partiality and favouritism; cautioning the faithful against favouring those who are rich and powerful, at the same tim...

Fran and Kylie explore the relationship between hearing and doing ‘the law of liberty’ in James 1:17-27, and reflect on the two emphases in the Jewish and Christian traditions of faith and works. We note that James may not be as anthropologically focused as it first appears. We re-engage with Mark’s gospel, where Jesus challenges his own tradition, and  note pitfalls in caricaturing the Pharisees...

We explore themes of incarnation, belief and salvation in John 6:56-69, noting the pattern of rejection that Jesus experiences throughout chapter 6 as the twelve ‘come to believe and know’. We touch on how to talk about the particularity of Jesus and the universal invitation in John’s gospel, and highlight the inseparability of spirit and flesh in John’s understanding of Jesus, humanity and the wh...

Howard Wallace joins Kylie and Fran to explore the end of David’s and beginning of Solomon’s reigns in 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14. We talk about the biased picture the lectionary provides of Solomon. We look at the call pattern evident in Solomon’s taking up the kingship and the model of leadership which 1 Kings portrays in him – seeking wisdom being a key feature. We touch on how the good news might...

Dorothy Lee joins Kylie and Fran to explore major themes in John 6, focusing on the gospel reading for the day (John 6:35,41-51), but taking in passages throughout the five weeks of John in the lectionary. We touch on the broader structure of this section of John’s gospel, and the relationship of John 6 to Passover and Exodus. Moving into key themes of eternal life, true bread, universalism and th...

Martin Wright joins Fran and Kylie to unpack the Letter to the Ephesians, focusing on Ephesians 4: 1-16. Martin talks about the issue of authorship, and the distinct way in which the Body of Christ imagery is used in Ephesians compared to other parts of the Pauline Corpus. We highlight the cosmic dimension of God’s gift in Christ,  the clarity of the calling to the church, and the hope the passage...

Robyn and Fran discuss David’s rape of Bathsheba and murder of Uriah (2 Samuel 11:1-15) asking how God’s story might redeem our stories whether we be perpetrator or victim. David is ultimately confronted with his sin and Bathsheba claims her own authority as mother of the future king Solomon. We touch on the prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21 and explore the nuances of John’s version of the feeding of th...

2 Samuel 7:1-14a,  Ephesian 2:11-22, Mark 6:30-34 and 53-56 are all up for discussion this week. We revisit the covenant with David in 2 Samuel 7, a covenant of an everlasting throne for David and one that lies behind Jewish understandings of Messiah as standing in the royal line of David. When Jesus is called a “son of David” it is this covenant being evoked. Ephesians 2:11-22 continues the theme...

This week we look at the arrival of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and David’s joy in 2 Samuel 6:1-5; 12b-19. How might our worship, so often inhibited, reflect David’s joy?  We touch on the nuanced way the presence of God is described in 2 Samuel 6, and the ways people of faith can co-opt the presence of God for self interest. Ephesians 1:3-14 is a superb summation of the gospel, overflowin...

Our guest this week is Rev. Dr. Garry Worete Deverell , Trawloolway man, Anglican Priest, and Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow in Indigenous Theologies at the University of Divinity.  We discuss the vision of King David as unifier and God’s chosen in 2 Sam 5:1-10, noting this is a narrative written by the victors and not without challenges. 2 Cor 12:2-10 and Mark 6:1-13 raise questions about limits and we...

Our guest this week is Rev. Dr. Garry Worete Deverell , Trawloolway man, Anglican Priest, and Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow in Indigenous Theologies at the University of Divinity. We discuss themes of vulnerability and weakness in 2 Cor 8:7-15 and Mark 5:21-43 which accompany teaching of “genuine love” and moments of healing and faith. We also reflect on what the laments in 2 Sam 1:17-27 and Psalm 130...

Rev. Assoc. Prof. Monica Melanchthon joins us to discuss the David and Goliath story (1 Sam 17:32-49). Their battle occurs in the “liminal space” between two armies, a place where God is found and works in unlikely ways and through unlikely people. In Mark 4:35-41 Jesus finds himself in a different liminal space between Jewish and Gentile territory. His calming of the storm reveals his divine powe...

This week we focus on 1 Samuel 15:34-16:13 and Mark 4:26-34. Themes emerge regarding kingship and kingdoms. David is the surprising choice in 1 Samuel as the youngest and one chosen by the God who “looks on the heart”. The parables in Mark are about the Kingdom or Reign of God, bringing to the fore the inevitability of the Kingdom, its growth that doesn’t rely on humans, and its inclusive nature. ...

This week we note the people’s demand for a king in 1 Samuel 8:1-20 is about wanting a visible, tangible site for authority. God’s offer of intimate relationship with the people, trusting their discernment, is not enough; the people don’t trust God or themselves. God, mercifully, but with dire warning, grants their wish. We talk about the frailty of our human institutions – in society and the chur...

Rev. Assoc. Prof. Frank Rees, systematic theologian and Baptist minister,  joins us to discuss the relational and egalitarian nature of the Trinity. We discuss the various ways the communal, intimate, transcendent, and interdependent nature of God is revealed in Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 8:12-17, and John 3:1-17.  Frank concludes that the triune nature of God reveals “differences that don’t divide”  –...

Ian Ferguson joins us for our Pentecost episode, where we talk about the creative, regenerative power of the Holy Spirit as she comes to us in Acts 2:1-21 and Ezekiel 37:1-14. Ezekiel’s vision of the dry bones shows the power of God’s Spirit to bring life from death. In the Acts passage the Spirit is robust and dramatic, infusing believers with gifts, with conversion and the joy of faith. We menti...

Psalm 1, Acts 1:15-26, John 17:6-19 are the focus this week. Acts 1 narrates the choosing of a new leader to replace Judas, raising questions about how we choose leaders and what we look for in our leaders. The Psalm invites us to “mediate on God’s Torah (instruction)”. In many ways it frames and introduces all the Psalms, placing them in continuity with the first five books of the Bible (Torah),...

The readings this week invite us to reflect on change, the role of the Holy Spirit, and Jesus’ commandment to love. Acts 10:44-48 narrates the “gentile pentecost”, the delightful interruption of the Holy Spirit who falls upon everyone while Peter is speaking. This is the fourth pouring out of the Spirit in Acts, this time prior to water baptism and upon those outside the faith. Peter exemplifies t...