Top of the Sixth

And a good Sabbath to you! We are priviliged this weekend to host Dr Dale Bruner for our church's Celebration of Faith weekend. Dr Bruner is a very engaging speaker: at once winsome and entertaining, but always unflinching when it comes to the "tough" issues, and incredibly gifted at unpacking words and phrases in the Gospels, allowing their meanings to shine forth.

Many scholars consider his two-volume Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew to be the best around. And he is working on a Commentary on the Gospel of John, as well.

Dr Bruner captivated us for an hour last night with the story of Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1-42). He told us something that I'd like you to think about today as you hear your pastor or priest. He said that one of his professors told him that "the Word" comes to us in three ways.

1. The incarnate Word of God: Jesus Christ
2. The printed Word available to all of us through canonical Scripture
3. The spoken Word which comes alive every time we hear it proclaimed through someone in tune with the other two facets of the Word

What a privilege we have! I know that our congregation is blessed that our pastor speaks the Word so powerfully and vibrantly to us - and I know that he has a deep and personal relationship with the incarnate Word, as well as a thorough knowledge and deep respect for the printed Word - so I think Dr Bruner is on to something.

Give a listen today to your pastor. See what you think.