You Tube Theology

The Sunday lectionary gospel reading for the Fourth Sunday before Advent in Year B is the dialogue that includes Jesus’ summary of the law in Mark 12.28–34. Offering this kind of summary was not uncommon in Second Temple Judaism, and we have a number of other examples of this.

But Jesus' response is striking in several ways. First, he summarises the law from within the law himself. Secondly, he holds together the 'two tablets' of the law—obligation to God and obligation to our neighbour. He highlights the high demand of God's call on our lives, and is clear that he comes to enable us to obey—he has not come to abolish the law, but to fulfil it in our lives.

Come and join Ian and James as they explore these questions! Revd James Blandford-Baker is vicar of Histon and Impington, two villages just north of Cambridge. Revd Dr Ian Paul is Associate Minister of St Nic's, Nottingham, and writes the widely-read blog www.psephizo.com.

Full written commentary behind the discussion can be found on the blog.