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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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Preaching the Old Testament
A sermon by Dr Anthony Rees for the ‘Debate the Preacher’ series at St John’s Anglican Cathedral, Brisbane on Sunday, 9 February 2014. Published here at Anthony’s request. Last week we commenced on a four week series—Why Bother with the Old Testament? My colleague, Rev Dr Greg Jenks gave a fascinating reflection on this, inviting us…
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Epiphany 5A (9 February 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 Gospel: Matthew 5:13-20 4 Jesus Database 5 Liturgies and Prayers 5.1 Music Suggestions Lectionary Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12) & Psalm 112:1-9 (10) 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16) Matthew 5:13-20 Introduction This week’s notes focus especially on the Gospel reading, and suggest a way of reading Matthew that takes seriously his interpretation…
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Why bother with the Old Testament
A sermon for the ‘Debate the Preacher’ series at St John’s Anglican Cathedral, Brisbane on Sunday, 2 February 2014. It has fallen to me to begin this new series of ‘Debate the Preacher’ as we explore the significance of the ‘Old Testament’ for us today. Over the four Sundays of February we shall have an…
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Epiphany 4A (2 February 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 First Reading: What does the Lord require? 4 Second Reading: The foolishness of God 5 Gospel: Beatitudes 5.1 The Jesus Seminar and the Beatitudes 6 Jesus Database 7 Liturgies and Prayers 7.1 Music Suggestions Lectionary Micah 6:1-8 and Psalm 15 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 Matthew 5:1-12 Introduction This week the…
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Epiphany 3A (26 January 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: Galilee of the nations 3 Second Reading: Unity that transcends factions 4 Gospel: Jesus calls the fishers of Capernaum 4.1 Fishing for Humans 4.2 Capernaum 5 Jesus Database 6 Liturgies and Prayers 6.1 Australia Day 6.2 Progressive Liturgies 6.3 Music Suggestions Lectionary Isaiah 9:1-4 & Psalm 27:1, 4-9 1…
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Epiphany 2A (19 January 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 The Epiphany Cycle 3 John’s disciples find Jesus 3.1 John the Baptist in the Gospel of John 4 Jesus Database 5 Liturgies and Prayers 5.1 Music Suggestions Lectionary Isaiah 49:1-7 & Psalm 40:1-11 1Corinthians 1:1-9 John 1:29-42 The Epiphany Cycle Over the next few weeks we will complete a longer than…
