Gary Neal Hansen

Theology. It's good for you.

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You are here: Home / Archives for Calvin

The Annunciation — Luke 1:26-38 on Advent 3

December 15, 2020 by Gary Neal Hansen 2 Comments

the annunciation

On the Third Sunday of Advent, Year B of the Revised Common Lectionary gives us Luke 1:26-38. It is the story of “the Annunciation,” nine months before Christmas. But we are in December, chronologically only a week-and-a-half before Mary will give birth. It’s all good. Advent is an excellent time to think about the promise […]

Filed Under: Bible, Calvin, Church Year, Monday Meditation Tagged With: Advent 3, Luke 1:26-38, RCL Year B, The Annunciation

Monday Meditation: RCL Year C, 7th Sunday of Easter, John 17:20-26

May 30, 2019 by Gary Neal Hansen 1 Comment

John 17:20-29

Sunday’s lectionary Gospel (John 17:20-26) is a chunk of Jesus’ “High Priestly Prayer” after dinner on Maundy Thursday. It is a remarkable passage when taken as a whole — one of my favorites really. And the lectionary does give us the whole thing. You just have to be patient. Every year, on the 7th Sunday […]

Filed Under: Bible, Calvin, Church Year, Faith, Monday Meditation Tagged With: High Priestly Prayer, John 17:20-26, Three Priorities

New Online Prayer Class: “Pray Like a Reformer”

October 2, 2018 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

I’m really psyched to announce that I’m offering a new online prayer class through this website. I’m calling it “Pray Like a Reformer,” and registration is open through Friday October 12, 2018. Pray Like a Reformer Martin Luther and John Calvin were both passionate about prayer. They both thought it was basic to the authentic […]

Filed Under: Calvin, Prayer Tagged With: John Calvin, Martin Luther, Online Prayer Class, Pray like a Reformer

Helping Christian Community Thrive: What Do You Teach?

August 18, 2015 by Gary Neal Hansen 6 Comments

A new community blossomed after that first Christian Pentecost. Not only did 3,000 get baptized into the Body of Christ after Peter’s first sermon. They found an effective way to live the faith together — a way so appealing to outsiders that day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being […]

Filed Under: Calvin, Community

Letters to a Young Pastor: Is Your Inner Sense of Call Enough?

July 9, 2015 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

Dear ______: I’m very glad to hear that your friend said she could totally see you as a pastor. That is something very important in discerning whether you are called to ordained ministry. In my tradition we call that the “external call.” When other people affirm that ministry is a good choice it is the second half of what you need. […]

Filed Under: Calvin, Ministry Tagged With: discerning a call to ministry, External call, Internal call

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Theology. It’s good for you.

I'm a Church historian by trade. My writing, speaking, and teaching explores the Christian past to equip today's disciples. Join me here for regular posts on the best of theology, spirituality, community, and ministry. read more…

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