More Willimon Founders Day Notes

Bishop Willimon

Mark 12:13-17

“The Greatest Challenge in Being a Christian Preacher”

-Whose picture is on the Denarius? Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.

The Bible is a violent book. -> As pastors we want to be peacemakers (with the text and with the congregations); mostly by making nice, rather than getting in a dealing with the muck.

What belongs to God: “The Earth is the Lord’s and the Fullness thereof.”

Jesus goes on the attack with his first sermon.

Can we be with the true & living God without trouble?

This (preaching) is perilous, risky and dangerous work.

Sabbath kept the Jews and Israel intact. It is very important to identity. Jesus is repeatedly a Sabbath breaker.

Dissonance is key to preaching; To live with dissonance and bring it forward.

Bonhoeffer: “The purpose of preaching is to allow the risen Christ to walk among the people.” And run, and dance, and more.

As preachers of the text, look for the trouble. The trouble is what is interesting.

Jesus says, “Give to Caesar everything God doesn’t give a damn about.”

It is so typical of Jesus to give an answer without giving an answer at all.

Jesus gives answers that cause us to question the current climate. ->The more you know Jesus, the less you know him, and the more you need to go back and re-examine all that you thought you knew.