We have known the Parable of the Good Samaritan most of our lives. Yet that phrase is not Scripture. Editors of our Bible translations inserted it at the top of the parable as a helpful aid to our study. So,…
Three encounters of Jesus with women that should change us and our evangelism
It’s a lofty goal, to be sure, but we must continue to learn from Jesus how to approach people as individuals who have their own sacred history. Today’s social sciences are teaching us about the complexity of each one of…
Jesus and the inauguration of the Social Gospel
Everything we know about Jesus reveals him to be a social person. He taught, healed, debated, blessed, protested and worshiped in social groups. His death was public, as were his resurrection appearances, ascension and his expected return. Jesus taught his…
Faith and civil rights went together for Martin Luther King
We remember the life and accomplishments of Martin Luther King Jr., who was born on Jan. 15, 1929, in Atlanta. His birthday became a federal holiday in 1983 and is observed on the third Monday of January. It became a…
Beware: The chapter and verse divisions and the internal commentary in English Bibles may fail us
The familiar division of the Bible into chapters and verses helps us locate our Scriptures of interest. Yet, it took 1,200 to 1,500 years before translators and publishers put them there; and, thankfully so. However, like dishwashers, iPhones and all…
Conservative or liberal? Jesus widens our political landscape
It is commonly assumed that a conservative interpretation of Scripture will produce conservative political views. I believe this to be false. Using popular definitions, a conservative interpretation is based on the literal, face-value or plain meaning of the text. It…
In the war of words over guns, ‘wisdom is better than weapons of war’
We fight the “gun battle” in many ways. Some hurl statistics like darts, trying to puncture the other side’s position. Their opponents are adept at this, too, reminding us: “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damn lies, and statistics”…
Racial history is American history
We have seen the backlash against all things “woke,” a word and movement that means to become “awakened” to American history, particularly as experienced by Black Americans. The word “woke” itself, and its supporters, have been criticized as jargonistic, left-wing…
Biblical backdrop to grand jury injustice
The grand jury decision not to indict Officer Daniel Pantaleo in the “choke-hold” death of Eric Garner has produced some interesting critics. According to the Washington Times website (12/1/14), Glenn Beck said that Garner’s treatment by the NYPD was “inexcusable,…
Still challenged by wealth and poverty
By Russell Waldrop Jesus’ disciples have always struggled with the harshness of his teachings on wealth and poverty. Some have rejected them as a “social gospel;” others have upheld them for that very reason. A few have lived them out…
Get back to work
By Russell Waldrop You have just returned to work after some time off and you are standing around the water cooler sharing highlights with your colleagues. During the chitchat, two senior employees approach your group and ask: “Why are you…