In the two latest installments of our Reading John project, the Gospel Renegades dig into some deeply personal ground.

The first, Lost Sheep Meet Lazarus, features a crackling dispute over the significance of Jesus’ famous resurrection of a dead man, a story preserved by John alone among the four evangelists. In the second, Love and Hate, we explore the meaning of “love” in John’s gospel, including another John exclusive — Jesus’ edict that those who love their life in this world will lose it, while only those who “hate” that life can attain the eternal kind.

As so often in our reading of the gospels, we find we can’t confront these texts without risking our own most passionate convictions. Come join the high-stakes gamble, and thanks as always for following the Gospel Renegades.

PS … Don’t miss the inaugural post of Berg’s Bunker, where Bill Berg takes you behind the scenes of his black-sheep view of the gospels, adding a scholarly dimension to our debates with his expertise as a New Testament translator.

In the final installment of our READING MARK project, the Gospel Renegades discuss Mark’s Passion narrative from the Garden of Gethsemane to the resurrection. With the big questions in mind and a close eye on the text, we explore major themes and offbeat details in episodes like the flight of the naked youth at the arrest, the hapless failures of the disciples, Jesus confronting Pilate — and not least the ever-baffling ending of Mark’s gospel with its empty tomb, frightened women, and the risen Jesus nowhere to be seen.

Next up: the Gospel of John! So stay tuned, and thanks for following the Gospel Renegades.