Sermon: Lent 1, 2014

Unlike Gandolf wrestling the Balrog or Shelock wrestling Moriarty at Reichenbach Falls, Jesus refuses to throw himself off any precipice to grapple with any demon--the Temptation of Jesus story is not a moral allegory for the upright Christian life. Instead, this story challenges false dualism with a Christian Cosmology that insists on the supremacy of a Good and loving God.

This was, I felt a very strong sermon: conceptually sophisticated and interesting to think through. I enjoyed giving it very much. So much more interesting that the typical "avoid giving into temptation" kinds of sermons that this Sunday's texts usually inspire.

-t