Sermons on Holy Violence

How to Move Mountains

Nov 7, 2019
Rev. Olaf Baumann

How to Move Mountains – Luke 6:20-31 What is strong and what is weak? The early church faced a dilemma. In the time of Jesus, the common expectation was that the messiah would be a hero. He would be a victorious fighter who defeats the Romans and restores Israel as a free and independent country. Jesus did not really do that. He died painfully on the cross and the Romans were as powerful as they were before. But when we…

Holy Violence?

Oct 23, 2019
Rev. Olaf Baumann

Holy Violence? – Mark 1:1-11 Season of Creation, River Sunday Some Christians today, when they imagine the second coming, it sounds like Jesus is going to do what he failed to do the first time around. Instead of being meek and humble and obedient, and full of love, the Jesus of the second coming is thought to be harsh, hard and violent. – A messiah with an iron fist, that was also the concept of many of John the Baptist’s…