Tag Archives: Bible

Ridiculous, Stupid and Incredibly Scary

Posted on November 1, 2025 by smaxreisert

“We’re saving Christianity. We’re saving God. We’re saving the family unit. We’re saving the nation.” Eric Trump, on the podcast, “The Benny Show” (October 2025) It was a shocking moment, to be sure, when Eric Trump declared that the Trump … Continue reading →

What Kind of “Christians” Are These?

Posted on October 15, 2025 by smaxreisert

There’s a certain pastor who’s having his big moment in the spotlight. I’m reluctant to spell out his name because I don’t want to add to that spotlight. But, what he is preaching and sharing is deeply disturbing and unsettling. … Continue reading →

Posted in current-events | Tagged Bible, Child poverty, Christian nationalism, Christian society, Christianity, Christians and patriarchy, Interesting Times, Jesus, Ross Douthat, Ten Commandments, The Greatest Commandment, what makes God angry | Leave a comment

Confession, What Is It Good For?

Posted on August 24, 2025 by smaxreisert

As any good Christian ought to know, confession is in integral part of the faith experience. While I don’t think confession ought to be focused on beating oneself up for every shortcoming, especially to the point of mental, emotional and/or … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, current-events | Tagged Bible, Christianity, Confession, Confession Good for the Soul, Faith, God, Jesus, President Trump, Slavery, Smithsonian, the Golden Rule | Leave a comment

The Way Ahead

Posted on May 6, 2025 by smaxreisert

Based on the sermon from Old South Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Hallowell, Maine, 5/4/2025. Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the … Continue reading →

Posted in On the Hopeful Side, Small church | Tagged Acts 9:1-6, Bible, Easter Season, Faith, God, Jesus, paul, The Way | Leave a comment

Looking for the Living

Posted on April 24, 2025 by smaxreisert

Easter Sermon 2025. Scripture, Luke 24:1-12 (CEB): 24 Very early in the morning on the first day of the week, the women went to the tomb, bringing the fragrant spices they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy-Days | Tagged Bible, Christianity, Easter, Easter Sunday Sermon, Immigration, Jesus, Karl Barth, resurrection, Trump Adminsitration, Women and Christianity, Women and Easter | Leave a comment

On Edge

Posted on November 1, 2024 by smaxreisert

I haven’t been surprised by the expressions of mounting tension as we get closer and closer to Election Day. What has surprised me is the expression of tension and anxiety shared with me by people at Old South who have … Continue reading →

Posted in LBGTQ, Misc | Tagged Bible, Christian faith and politics, Christianity, Election 2024, Evangelical Christians, Faith, God, religion | Leave a comment

The Church Has A Lot of Explaining to Do

Posted on October 17, 2024 by smaxreisert

Catholic voters favor Trump in most battleground states, according to new NCR poll [National Catholic Reporter, 10/14/24] Are male voters reluctant to vote for a woman? [AP News, 10/11/24] Sexist Language Surges Online as Harris Battles Trump [Newsweek, 10/11/24] How … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Misc | Tagged Bible, Christianity, church, church and politics, Faith, problematic Bible interpretations, woman as president, Women, Women in the Bible | Leave a comment

What Is Church For? Part 2

Posted on June 6, 2017 by smaxreisert

During a recent “faith story” (children’s message) during worship, I talked about the significance of various people in our church and in our worship life at Old South. We began with the “here is the church, here is the steeple” … Continue reading →

Posted in My Life as Pastor | Tagged Bible, church, Here is the Church Here is the Steeple, holy scripture, Pastor and Teacher | Leave a comment