By Rev. Dr. Jaime Clark-Soles On September 25, 2012, President Obama presented new initiatives to address human trafficking in America. He did this as the President of the United States, but I know he also did it as a parent of two children. How do I know? He said so: "When a little girl is sold by her impoverished family, or girls my daughters' ages run away from home and are lured -- that's slavery.” The Quest to End Child Trafficking Leaders across the faith … [Read more...]
Eating with the Enemy: Esther’s Story
September 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment
By Lisa Hickman When ‘Enemies’ Meet During the Everest climbing season last May, just 1000 feet from the top of the world, twenty-four year old Israeli law student Nadav Ben-Yehuda noticed a 64 year old Turkish man, Aydin Irmak, lying in the snow with no gloves, no oxygen, no shelter as other climbers streamed past him in their quest for the summit. Climbers know instantly 26,000 feet is the infamous ‘death zone’ where the lack of oxygen is insufficient to sustain human life … [Read more...]
Jesus’ Death and the Future of Violence: Mark 9:30-37
September 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment
By Matthew L. Skinner If pondering Jesus’ crucifixion doesn’t make you uncomfortable, you probably aren’t doing it right. I’m not referring to the gore and humiliation, which makes crucifixion repulsive no matter who the victim is. Watch the Video: ON Scripture: Jesus Predicts His Death Matthew Skinner, assistant professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary, discusses the Biblical text Mark 9:30-37, featured in the ON Scripture The Bible article, "Jesus’ Death … [Read more...]
Poverty, Wealth, and Equality? James 2:1-10, 11-13, 14-17
September 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment
By Margaret Aymer Poor people. These are the two words underlying much of the political arguments coming across the airwaves right now. There is great discussion about “Medicaid,” “Medicare,” “The Affordable Care Act [aka Obamacare or Romneycare],” “Welfare,” “Big Government” and “Social Security. But two words rarely heard in the 2012 political campaign: poor people. Watch the Video: Faces of Poverty: A Single Father After suffering a layoff and searching … [Read more...]
Lip Service – But Where Is the Heart?
August 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment
By Dirk G. Lange Human beings want religion not God. Or, to put it slightly differently (and perhaps in a more nuanced manner!), they all too easily equate religion with a very particular, culturally determined, idea of God. They name their religion – their rites, their laws, their stories – divine or Bible-based. They find mystical origins for their laws turning those laws into unquestionable truths. Watch the Video: What Contaminates a Life? Efrain Agosto, a … [Read more...]
The Politics of Betrayal: John 6:56-69
August 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment
By Karoline Lewis Broken Promises Imagine being introduced for the first time, not by your name or what you have done, but in reference to what you will do. Such is the case for Judas in the closing section of chapter six in John’s Gospel, “For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him” (John 6:64 NRSV). Typically, we are recognized by our past, whether achievements or hardships. Then there’s something to go on. But … [Read more...]
Not Another Bread Passage … Please! John 6:35, 41-51
August 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment
By Dr. Karyn L. Wiseman Sometimes when I read a biblical text, it makes almost perfect sense to me. Other times, the author's intent seems fairly obvious so I get a good feeling about what I am reading. Watch the Video: ON Scripture: Jesus Is the Bread of Life … [Read more...]
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