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Nazareth Then and Now
Ancient Nazareth lacked the critical advantages for its development as a significant settlement: abundant water supply, an elevated site for defensive purposes, and strategic location adjacent to a major highway. The most comprehensive recent study of the archeology of ancient Nazareth and its local region was completed by Ken Dark over several seasons between 2004…
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The oldest hatred
Presentation to a panel discussion sponsored by the Jewish Council of Australia at St John’s Cathedral, Brisbane on Monday, 29 September 2025. The topic of the event was: Should anti-Semitism be exceptionalised or should we combat all forms of racism together? Co-hosts for the event included: Doykeit (a local Jewish group in Brisbane), St John’s…
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Pentecost 14B (02 September 2012)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 First Reading: Song of Solomon 4 Second Reading: Christian wisdom 5 Gospel: Jesus and the purity codes 6 Jesus Database 7 Liturgies and Prayers 7.1 Music Suggestions Lectionary Song of Solomon 2:8-13 and Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9 James 1:17-27 Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 Introduction In some ways, this week…
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Taking the Bible seriously, but not literally
[A sermon preached at St John’s Anglican Cathedral, Brisbane at Evensong, on Sunday, 26 August 2012.] Anglicans have a long history of taking the Bible very seriously while avoiding the folly of taking it literally. In the Articles of Religion, commonly known as the Thirty-Nine Articles, we find the Church of England carefully setting down…
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Pentecost 13B (26 August 2012)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 First Reading: Solomon dedicates the Temple 4 Second Reading: Engaged in a Cosmic Conflict 5 Gospel: Divisions over Jesus 6 Jesus Database 7 Liturgies and Prayers 7.1 Music Suggestions Lectionary I Kings 8:(1,6,10-11),22-30,41-43 & Psalm 84 (or Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18 & Psalm 34:15-22) Ephesians 6:10-20 John 6:56-69 Introduction…
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Pentecost 12B (19 August 2012)
Contents 1 Introduction 2 First Reading: Solomon succeeds David 3 Second Reading: Drink the wine that God provides 4 Gospel: Eat my flesh, drink my blood 5 Jesus Database 6 Liturgies and Prayers 6.1 Music Suggestions Introduction It may be helpful to consider this week’s set of readings as exploring the question: How do we…
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Pentecost 11B (12 August 2012)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: The death of Absalom 3 Second Reading: Holy living 4 Gospel: Glimpses of a tradition developing over time 5 Jesus Database 6 Liturgies and Prayers 6.1 Music Suggestions Lectionary 2 Samuel 18:5-9,15,31-33 & Psalm 130 Ephesians 4:25-5:2 John 6:35, 41-51 First Reading: The death of Absalom The narrative…
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Pentecost 10B (5 August 2012)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading 3 Second Reading 4 Gospel 5 Jesus Database 6 Liturgies and Prayers 6.1 Music Suggestions Lectionary 2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a & Psalm 51:1-12 Ephesians 4:1-16 John 6:24-35 First Reading This week’s first reading in the RCL continues the story of David’s sexual liaison with Bath-Sheba, the wife of one of…
