December 12, 2021 Luke 3:7-18 The Message of John the Baptist
This week discuss the message of John the Baptist. We discuss the details of the text, and the fact that this is a classic text that demonstrates the need for some use of written sources for our Gospels. We also discuss how various groups in the era of the Reformation responded to this passage, some of which are surprising, and some that are still with us. We conclude with a discussion of the fact that while the message of John the Baptist doesn’t seem very joyful, living in a way defined by the kind of practical justice and mercy can be a joyful way of living.