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Mark Ellingsen

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Mark Ellingsen, a minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), has been a professor of Church History at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia, since 1993. He graduated magna cum laude from Gettysburg College (Pennsylvania) and Yale University, from which he received three master's degrees in divinity, arts, and philosophy, as well as his Ph.D. He has authored 26 books including his latest, Wired for Racism? How Evolution and Faith Move Us to Challenge Racial Idolatry, published by New City Press and Reality and Waves: A Quantum Physics Cosmology, Philosophy of Religion, and Ethic (Lexington Books). He and his wife have three grown children. When he is not writing or teaching, Ellingsen enjoys discussing politics, sports, and playing guitar.
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Commentary

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

The text reminds us... -- Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2013
The text reminds us how skilled we are in doing evil, in sinning.
NULL -- Acts 16:16-34 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
Americans think they are good and decent people, worthy of salvation by their lifestyle.
Sermon Illustrations for Lent 4 (2013) -- Joshua 5:9-12, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- Bob Ove, Mark J. Molldrem, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2013
Joshua 5:9-12
This is a dangerous... -- 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2013
This is a dangerous text, easily distorted.
The great joy Jesus... -- Luke 15:1-10 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2013
The great joy Jesus and the Father feel over the reclaiming of just one lost sheep and just one lost
Sermons Illustrations for Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 (2013) -- Jeremiah 8:18--9:1, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Luke 16:1-13 -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Scott A. Bryte, Mark J. Molldrem, Ron Love -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2013
Jeremiah 8:18--9:1
NULL -- John 17:20-26 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
Jesus prays for unity. Unity is good for human beings.
NULL -- Joshua 5:9-12 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2013
This is a text about freedom, the first experience celebrating the Passover feast of freedom for the
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 1 (2013) -- Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
Isaiah 2:1-5
At least two ways... -- 1 Timothy 2:1-7 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2013
At least two ways present themselves for illustrating the comment in verse 4 that God desires all to
Sermon illustrations for Day of Pentecost (2013) -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:14-17, John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2013
Acts 2:1-21
our sense of propriety are easily offended... -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2013
Reason and our sense of propriety are easily offended by the lowly state of the baby whom the wise m
The text refers... -- Romans 13:11-14 -- Mark Ellingsen -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
The text refers to the darkness and drunkenness/addictions of the present age, calling us to get rea
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 (2013) -- Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Luke 16:19-31 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Scott A. Bryte, Ron Love, Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2013
Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15
Sermon Illustrations for Trinity Sunday (2013) -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Romans 5:1-5, John 16:12-15 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Mark J. Molldrem -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2013
Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31
Sermon Illustrations for Baptism of Our Lord (2013) -- Isaiah 43:1-7, Acts 8:14-17, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- Cynthia E. Cowen, Bob Ove, Mark J. Molldrem, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2013
Isaiah 43:1-7
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 2 (2013) -- Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
Isaiah 11:1-10
We often do not see... -- Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2013
We often do not see God in our everyday lives, in the work we do and in our economic transactions.
NULL -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2013
Our text is all about Wisdom and how we might understand the Son of God as the Wisdom of God.
our lesson is about how baptism is for everyone... -- Acts 8:14-17 -- Mark Ellingsen -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2013
Americans don't think highly of immigrants.
The text makes... -- Isaiah 11:1-10 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
The text makes clear that the Messiah is concerned with justice, especially for the poor.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 (2012) -- Ruth 1:1-18, Hebrews 9:11-14, Mark 12:28-34 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Ron Love, Cynthia E. Cowen, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
Ruth 1:1-18
Our lesson speaks of our unity... -- Ephesians 4:1-16 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2012
Our lesson speaks of our unity, for Christ now fills all things.
Paul speaks of a love abounding... -- 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 -- Mark Ellingsen -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
Paul speaks of a love abounding (v.
NULL -- Hebrews 9:11-14 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
A 2008 Pew Forum poll revealed that 65% of the American public believe that many religions (not just

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