By the Well

Sean Winter, Robyn Whitaker, and guest-host Greg Carey discuss the two possible gospel readings for Easter Sunday - John 20:1-18 and Matthew 28:1-10.

Robyn Whitaker and guest co-host, Greg Carey, discuss Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, and Matthew 21:1-11 (with a bit of a look at the Zechariah passage that lies behind it).

In this episode for the final Sunday in Lent, Kylie and Sean talk about dry bones, dead bodies and the hope of restoration through the Spirit and in the resurrection. The texts discussed are Ezekiel 37:1–14, Romans 8:6–11, and John 11:1–45.

Fran and Kylie discuss 1 Samuel 16:1-13 and John 9:1-41 for Lent 4 We mention the World Council of Churches document The Gift of Being: Called to be a Church of All for All; Harold Kushner's When Bad Things Happen to Good People; The Bible and Disability:a Commentary, ed Melcher, Parsons and Young

Sean Winter and Robyn Whitaker discuss Exodus 17:1-7, Rom 5:1-11, and John 4:5-42 for the third Sunday in Lent.

In this special episode, Robyn interviews Sean Winter about all things Romans. Romans appears in both the Lent nad Pentecosts seasons in Year A, so its a great chance to do a preaching series on Romans. We talk about the ocassion for writing, the shape of this letter, and some resources for those of you who want to dig deeper. We mention these two books: Beverley Gaventa, When in Romans: An Invitation to Linger with the Gospel According to Paul Michael Gorman, Romans:A Theological and Pastoral Commentary

Fran and Howard discuss Genesis 12:1-4a; Psalm 121, John 3:1-17, and (briefly) Romans 4:1-5; 13-17

Fran and Howard discuss Genesis 2:15-3:1-7; Psalm 32 and Matthew 4:1-11 Look out for an episode devoted to Romans with Sean Winter coming soon in the Easter season.

Sally and Fran focus on Exodus 24:12-18; Psalm 2; 2 Peter 1:16-21 and Matthew 17:1-9 We mention Dorothy Lee's Transfiguration Sally Douglas' Early Church's Understanding of Jesus as the Female Divine Sally's new book, Jesus Sophia: Returning to Woman Wisdom in the Bible, Practice and Prayer (Cascade Books 2023) is out soon.

Brian Fiu Kolia and Robyn Whitaker discuss Deut 30:15-20, Matt 5:21-37, and 1 Cor 3:1-9.

Robyn Whitaker and Brian Fiu Kolia talk about Isaiah 59:1-9, 1 Cor 2:1-12 (13-16), and Matt 5:13-20.

Sean and Robyn continue delving into 1 Corinthians, with a focus on 1:18-31, as well as Matthew 5:1-12 (the Beatitudes) and Micah 6:1-8.

Carolyn and Sean discuss Isaiah 9:1-4, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, and Matthew 4:12-23.

Sean and Robyn discuss Isaiah 49:1-7, 1 Cor 1:1-9, and John 1:29-42.

Fran and Robyn focus on Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-43 and Matthew 3:13-17. We refer to Willie James Jennings' Theological Commentary on Acts and Brendan Byrne's Lifting the Burden

Isaiah 63:7-9 and Matthew 2:13-23 are the focus for this first Sunday after Christmas. Kylie and Robyn discuss the Magi, the political situation, and the way Matthew places Jesus in a long tradition of Jewish leaders who are chosen by God to liberate or save God's people. We refer to a new book "The Magi" by Eric Vanden Eykel who writes about the magi here.

Kylie and Robyn discuss a selection of Christmas readings including Isaiah 9:2-7 with Luke 2:1-20 and Psalm 98 with John 1:1-14. Merry Christmas!

Glen O'Brien and Fran discuss Isaiah 7:10-16 and Matthew 1:18-25 We mention Fleming Rutledge's Advent: The Once and Future Coming of Jesus Christ, Brendan Byrne's Lifting the Burden: Reading Matthew's Gospel in the World Today and Charles Wesley's hymn Let Earth and Heaven Combine Glen O Brien's new book The Political World of John Wesley is available now.

The themes of joy and rejoicing in God's activity weave their way through the readings for this Gaudate Sunday. Robyn and Monica discuss Isaiah 35:1-10, Psalm 146, James 5:7-10, and Matthew 11:2-11. We refer to this Working Preacher article by Barbara Lundblad on Isa 35:1-10.

Glen O'Brien and Fran discuss Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-13 and Matthew 3:1-12 We mention Fleming Rutledge's Advent: The Once and Future Coming of Jesus Christ, and the movie Sling Blade. Glen O'Brien's new book The Political World of John Wesley is available now

In this episode, Carolyn and Sean invite preachers to think through what it means to preach in the season of Advent and consider some of the texts set for the First Sunday in Advent in Year A: Isaiah 2:1–5; Romans 13:11–14 and Matthew 24:36–44. The explore what Advent waiting means, and how texts relating to God's promised coming might provide us with an impetus to watch and stay alert.

Sally and Fran focus on Jeremiah 23:1-6; Colossians 1:11-20 and Luke 23:33-43 and talk about Jesus' subversive kingship. We mention 'The problem with powerlessness: attending to power and authority in Matthew's Wisdom christology' in Contemporary Feminist Theologies: Power, Authority, Love (2021)

Apocalyptic themes abound for the end of the lectionary year! Robyn and Sean discuss Isaiah 65:17-25, 2 Thess 3:6-13, and Luke 21:5-19

Robyn and U-Wen discuss Haggai 1:15b-2:9, Luke 20:27-38, and 2 Thess 1:1-5, 13-17. Themes emerge relating to resurrection, afterlife, and the balance between honouring tradition and doing something new.

Fran and Kylie focus on Habakkuk 1:2-4, 2:1-4 and Luke 19:1-10 for the twenty-first week after Pentecost We mention Brendan Byrne's The Hospitality of God

Kylie and Fran discuss Joel 2:23-32 and Luke 18:9-14. We mention: Serene Jones, Feminist Theory and Christian Theology: Cartographies of Grace (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2000). Enoch seminar session Speaking of the Pharisees (April 2022):

Readings: Jeremiah 31:27–34; Psalm 119: 97–104; Luke 18:1–8; 2 Timothy 3:14–4:5 In this episode Sean and Monica talk about what it means to look and live for God's coming justice. They explore the important of the language of covenant, justice, faith, and law or teaching, focus on the good news contained in the prophetic oracle of Jeremiah and the parable of the Unjust Judge. Apology: the readings this week are introduced as those for Pentecost 22, rather than Pentecost 19. This is a mistake :)

Readings: Jeremiah 28:1, 4-6; 2 Timothy 2:8-15; and Luke 17:11-19. Howard, Robyn, and Rachel Kronberger unpack the readings for Pentecost 18, exploring themes of healing and cleansing, exemplary Samaritans, and enduring through suffering.

Readings: Jeremiah 28:1, 4-6; 2 Timothy 2:8-15; and Luke 17:11-19. Howard, Robyn, and Rachel Kronberger unpack the readings for Pentecost 18, exploring themes of healing and cleansing, exemplary Samaritans, and enduring through suffering.

Lamentations 1:1-6, 3:19-26,  Psalm 137, and Luke 17:5-10 are discussed this week. Rachel Kronberger joins Robyn and Howard to unpack the preaching themes with a focus on lament as faithful response.

Lamentations 1:1-6, 3:19-26,  Psalm 137, and Luke 17:5-10 are discussed this week. Rachel Kronberger joins Robyn and Howard to unpack the preaching themes with a focus on lament as faithful response.

This week we are joined by Rev. Dr. John Squires to discuss Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15, 1 Timothy 6:6-19 and Luke 16:19-31.  John is editor of With Love to the World  and blogs at An Informed Faith.

This week we are joined by Rev. Dr. John Squires to discuss Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15, 1 Timothy 6:6-19 and Luke 16:19-31. John is editor of With Love to the World and blogs at An Informed Faith.

U-Wen and Fran delve into 1 Timothy 2:1-7 and Luke 16:1-13, and Robyn and Liz Boase discuss Jeremiah 8:18-9:1. We mention Brendan Byrne's The Hospitality of God N.T. Wright's Luke For Everyone

U-Wen and Fran delve into 1 Timothy 2:1-7 and Luke 16:1-13, and Robyn and Liz Boase discuss Jeremiah 8:18-9:1. We mention Brendan Byrne's The Hospitality of God N.T. Wright's Luke For Everyone

U-Wen and Fran discuss 1 Timothy 1:12-17 and Luke 15:1-10; Robyn and Liz Boase focus on Jeremiah 4: 11-12; 22-28 We mention a sermon by Rev Craig Thompson; and a sermon by Fleming Rutledge in God Spoke to Abraham

U-Wen and Fran discuss 1 Timothy 1:12-17 and Luke 15:1-10; Robyn and Liz Boase focus on Jeremiah 4: 11-12; 22-28 We mention a sermon by Rev Craig Thompson; and a sermon by Fleming Rutledge in God Spoke to Abraham

Sally and Howard discuss Jeremiah 18:1-11, Philemon 1:1-21, and Luke 14:25-33.

Sally and Howard discuss Jeremiah 18:1-11, Philemon 1:1-21, and Luke 14:25-33.

Sally and Robyn talk about the vulnerability of God in Jeremiah 2:4-13 in the expression of God's desire for relationship.  Reliance on our own technology and skills rather than God is one theme that emerges. In Luke's gospel ( 13:1, 7-14)  Jesus challenges both guests and hosts to think about humbling the exalted and exalting the humble. Kingdom values here disrupt normal power relations in ways that continue to challenge the church.

Sally and Robyn talk about the vulnerability of God in Jeremiah 2:4-13 in the expression of God's desire for relationship.  Reliance on our own technology and skills rather than God is one theme that emerges. In Luke's gospel ( 13:1, 7-14)  Jesus challenges both guests and hosts to think about humbling the exalted and exalting the humble. Kingdom values here disrupt normal power relations in ways that continue to challenge the church.

Howard and Robyn discuss the challenges of prophetic call, divine initiative, and the message of hope in the midst of struggle in Jeremiah 1:4-10. In the story of a bent-over woman's 'release' in Luke 13:10-17, we find Jesus embodies the idea of Sabbath as a divine gift that is life-giving and a day that frees us from bondage.

Howard and Robyn discuss the challenges of prophetic call, divine initiative, and the message of hope in the midst of struggle in Jeremiah 1:4-10. In the story of a bent-over woman's 'release' in Luke 13:10-17, we find Jesus embodies the idea of Sabbath as a divine gift that is life-giving and a day that frees us from bondage.

Gerald West joins Monica and Robyn this week to discuss Isaiah 5:1-7, Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19, Hebrews 11:29-12:2, and Luke 12:49-56. We look at the various metaphors used for God and God's people, as well as themes of justice, accountability, judgement, and an active faith.

Monica and Robyn discuss Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23, Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, and Luke 12:32-40. Themes emerge about the need for worship and justice, speech and action, to go hand in hand. Luke talks about the kingdom of God as "gift" where the Son of Man comes to serve, and Hebrews reminds us about the surety of trust in God.

Fran and Monica explore the readings for Pentecost 8, focusing on Hosea 11:1-11 and Luke 12:13-21, but also referencing Psalm 107 and Colossians 3:1-11.

Rachel and Fran explore Hosea 1:2-10 and Luke 11:1-13: readings for Pentecost 7 We mention Rowan Williams' Being Christian

Fran and U-Wen sit down to explore readings from Pentecost 6: Amos 8:1-12, Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42 We mention N.T Wright's youtube lecture on Colossians Brian Walsh and Sylvia Keesmaat's Colossians Remixed: Subverting the Empire; Joel Green's Gospel of Luke

For Pentecost 5, U-Wen and Fran focus conversation on Amos 7: 7-17, Psalm 82 and Luke 10:25-37. We mention Brendan Byrne's The Hospitality of God 

This week we discuss the healing of Naaman in 2 Kings 5, noting the way the story-teller subverts cultural norms to locate the voice of wisdom and faithfulness in those of the lowest status.  In Luke 10 we encounter the sending of the 72 (70) to go before Jesus and announce the reign of God.

Kylie and Fran discuss Elijah passing the mantle to Elisha in 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14, the urgent call to follow Jesus in Luke 9:51-62, and the fruits of the Spirit Galatians 5:1, 13-25. We mention Rowan Williams' Being Disciples and ABC TV's Compass program