Unsettling Humility

Fr. Benjamin Wall
Written By The Rev. Dr. Benjamin Wall

Luke 18:9-14

About the Series:

The new ACNA prayer book and lectionary is the framework for this series. The Gospel readings during this season focus on Luke's story of Jesus in chapters 14-23. This section of Luke is full of parables that Jesus told. The parables in this series are unique as most of them only occur in Luke. Parables are short stories used to illustrate a main point or lesson. They aim to tease the mind into active thought – to make you think, to challenge perspectives, and to overturn expectations. This may be why parables tend to be confusing. Jesus was well known for these type of stories. Perhaps it is because stories tend to be easier to remember than facts and information. When Jesus wanted to talk about the kingdom, he didn't list facts – he told a story. The parables confronted and upended the original hearers' thoughts and actions, and continue to challenge us today.

Luke packs these chapters full of stories that invite us to wonder, ponder, and be surprised at the invitation of Jesus and his kingdom. More than that, Luke wants our encounter with Jesus to transform us. It's why he tells his story in the first place! It's our deep hope that in this season you meet the risen Jesus. We hope that by encountering Jesus, you get a glimpse of the kingdom, and are changed.

These are the stories of the kingdom!

The Rev. Dr. Benjamin Wall

Generally known as “Father Benjamin,” he serves as one of our priests here at Redeemer. He has previously served as our Pastoral Care Director, but now works full-time with our diocese, serving as the Director for Leadership Development for the Triad Deanery. Benjamin is also the Director of the Center for Pastoral Formation (one of our Abbey ministries) which helps lay people discern their call to ministry and become equipped for participating in Christ’s ministry.

He is our "theologian in residence" doing work on the intersection of disability, mental health, and Christian faith. He holds a B.A. in Biblical Studies, an M.A. in Christian Ethics, and a Th.M. in Theology with a focus on environmental ethics. He also holds a Ph.D. in Practical Theology from the University of Aberdeen, where he wrote his dissertation: "Listening as Worship in the Shaping of Christian Ethos—Community, Care, and Faith—According to the Rule of St. Benedict and Jean Vanier." He authored Welcome as a Way of Life, and he has been a professor at several institutions of higher education and was a mental health professional for 10+ years.

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A Name Change?