June 15th, 2008 - Scripture Focus: Matthew 9:35-10:8

Our text for June 15th is Matthew 9:35-10:8.

Our place in the church calendar: Today is the 5th Sunday after Pentecost Sunday. Today we will also celebrate our graduates from middle school, high school, and college, and celebrate the end of our Sunday School year, with the children participating in worship.

Text Summary:
The passage opens with Jesus on a preaching and teaching tour, where he is healing people and talking about the good news of the kingdom. He has compassion on the people, literally with his stomach turning over with empathy for them because they are lost and leaderless. He tells the disciples to ask God for more laborers to work for the kingdom. Jesus summons the twelve, gives them authority, and sends them out. He tells them to keep only to the house of Israel, not to the Gentiles. He tells them to proclaim good news: The kingdom of heaven has come near. He tells them to heal and cure, and to give without payment, as they have received without payment.

Sermon Thoughts:
-The sermon title for today is "On Fire: Called," and will look at how Jesus calls us, what we're called to do, and how we're meant to respond to God's call. This sermon is part of our On Fire series that looks at how the church was born and how we can catch some of that fire that ignited the apostles. The disciples are sent and resent by Jesus by degrees throughout his ministry and beyond. First they are called to follow Jesus. Now, this is the first time they are being sent on a mission on their own.

-Jesus gave the disciples authority. When I was ordained, and my bishop laid hands on me, she said, "Take thou authority." You have to have authority to lead. We have all kinds of authority figures in our world, but the authority comes from different places. Jesus was constantly questioned about where his authority came from, because he didn't get it from the usual places, but directly from God.

-Right here, in this text, Matthew emphasis that Jesus sent the disciples only to other Jews, not yet to Gentiles. Matthew takes particular pains among the gospel-writers to show how Jesus' message is for Gentiles too, not just Jews. But here, he's clear that the good news was first brought to those of the house of Israel. This is consistent with the scriptures of the Hebrew Bible, and with the theology that the apostle Paul expresses in his letters.

-For Jesus, the good news was: "The kingdom of heaven/kingdom of God has come near/is at hand." That's it! Today, when we speak of good news, we often say the good news is that Christ has died for our sins so that we might have eternal life. But that's not what Jesus meant when he talked about good news. His good news was that God's kingdom was here, now and already.

-This passage makes frequent mention of leadership/shepherding and the need for people to fill this role. Jesus has compassion for the people because they seem shepherdless. He advises the disciples to pray that God would send more workers out into the proverbial fields. He sends the disciples out and gives them authority. All of these things are meant to provide a kind of leadership that Jesus sees as otherwise lacking in peoples' lives.

Questions for Discussion:
-Who has authority in your life? What authority do you have? Where did you get your authority? Has God given you authority? To do what? Have you ever refused taking authority? Have you refused authority from God?

-"You received without payment. Give without payment." That's the motto of Drew Theological School, where I went to seminary. What do you think Jesus is referring to that the disciples have received freely? What have you received? What are you giving? Do you require payment for what you give to others? How do we sometimes require payment from others even if we don't say out loud that we are doing so?

-Why do you think Jesus only sends the disciples to the "lost sheep of the House of Israel," and not to the Gentiles?

-Today we're pretty skeptical of healing in the way that we read about in the Bible. Have you ever experienced healing? Witnessed healing? How do you think God heals and cures today?

-How would you define the "good news" of the gospels?

For further reading:
Read Chris Haslam's comments and clippings on our text.

What are your questions about this text? Comments?

June 8th, 2008 - Scripture Focus: Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

Our text for June 8th is Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26.

Our place in the church calendar: Today is the 4th Sunday after Pentecost Sunday. Today we will also celebrate a service of healing, as we ask for God's healing for our physical, spiritual, and emotional pain.

Text Summary:
Today our text begins with Jesus calling Matthew (also called Levi) to be a disciple. He's a tax collector. At a word from Jesus, Matthew follows. Jesus is eating with many sinners and tax collectors, and the Pharisees are upset with Jesus (again), but Jesus tells them that it is those who are sick who need a physician, not those who are well. "Go and learn what this means," Jesus says, "'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'" We skip ahead for the scenario that shows the truth of what Jesus says. A synagogue leader comes to Jesus seeking resurrection for his daughter. Jesus follows the man, and on the way, a hemorrhaging woman touches his cloak. She is healed - Jesus says it is her faith that has made her well. He continues on the way to the girl's house, and he takes her hand, and she gets up. News of Jesus' healing and resurrection spreads throughout the region.

Sermon Thoughts:
-Today our sermon is On Fire: Healing, and focuses on the healing presence of Jesus, and our need for healing. Who has Jesus come to reach, and how can Jesus reach us? This is part of a series of sermons around the theme "On Fire," following the movement and spirit of the church after Pentecost. How are we On Fire for God?

-Take note of all the people in this passage who are on the fringes of society: Matthew the tax collector, who is made a disciple, the tax collectors and 'sinners' who eat with Jesus, the hemorrhaging woman (who would have been ritually unclean for all those years), the young girl who would have no real status...

-Jesus quotes Hosea when he says, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice." This kind of sentiment is common in the prophets and psalms (think Psalm 51, for example, and Amos, two that immediately come to mind.) Spirit over letter. Heart over logic. Truth over show.

-God is not interested in what we can do for God, but what God can do for us, I think. The thing that we can do for God is have faith in God - that's what the hemorrhaging woman did - she had faith, and Jesus said that it was her faith, rather than necessarily his power, that truly made her well.

Questions for Discussion:
-Where the Pharisees sinners? Did Jesus come to heal them too? Are you a sinner?

-What do you think God most wants from you? What do you think Jesus meant by quoting, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice?" How do you interpret that sentence?

-Do you need healing? From what? What kind of healing could God bring to your life? Do you have faith that God can heal you?

-Can you imagine being in the position of the little girl? How do you think she felt to be at the center of so much attention?

-Matthew immediately follows when Jesus calls. Have you ever made such a bold, life-changing decision? What do you think Matthew knew about Jesus already? What do you think caused him to act? Could you act without carefully planning through? How could God induce you to follow and be a disciple like this?

For further reading:
Read Chris Haslam's comments and clippings on our text.

What are your questions about this text? Comments?

April 27th, 2008 - Scripture Focus: Psalm 66:8-20, John 14:15-21, 1 Peter 3:13-22

I will be out of town on the 27th at General Conference in Dallas, TX. Rev. Bill Albertus will be our guest preacher. He'll be using three texts: Psalm 66:8-20, John 14:15-21, and I Peter 3:13-22. His sermon is titled, "Am I a Pipe or a Jug?" I'm sorry I'll have to miss out, since that title has me quite curious! Obviously, I don't know where Rev. Albertus will take you in his sermon, so this week here are just a few brief notes on the texts to get you thinking:


Psalm 66:8-20:

* It's best to read the whole Psalm for some context if you have time. Mostly a praise psalm here, but with some specific perspectives. This psalm directly addresses God's hand in leading the Israelites out of Egypt into "a spacious place."
* vs. 10-12 speak of all the 'testing' sort of tasks the people have endured at God's hands - the net, the burdens, through fire and water. Do you feel your trials have been laid out to you by God? That God has set you up to be tested? This idea has never set right with me, not quite.
* "[God] has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me." I guess we often worry that God will do this, but I don't believe that God does this ever. I don't believe God ever rejects us, even if God doesn't move heaven and earth for us as we'd like.

1 Peter 3:13-22:

* "Who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good?" Unfortunately, the answer to that question is a lengthy list! We only have to look to Jesus for an example of someone who was harmed as a direct result of his desire to bring about good things. But, the author encourages us, we are still blessed, sanctified in Christ.
* "Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence." What a great verse. What great advice! What is your defense for the hope that is within you?

John 14:15-21:

*"If you love me, you will keep my commandments." Do we love Jesus? Yes. Do we keep his commandments? Eek. I'm afraid we're not so good at this part. But Jesus reminds us that our obedience to the commandments is an expression of our love. So let's love Jesus well.

*"I will not leave you orphaned." Sometimes I think we underestimate how lonely humans are. How often, despite the people in are lives, we feel we're on our own. That's why Jesus' promise is so significant and so meaningful. We're never abandoned.

*"Because I live, you also will live." These are words of promise often read at funerals. But remember that they are words for our lives now, not just speaking about some far off after-death hope. Are you living?

April 20th, 2008 - Scripture Focus: John 14:1-14 and Acts 7:55-60

Sorry I've been absent in posting for any of you anonymous readers out there! Hopefully I'm back on track now.

Our texts for April 20th are John 14:1-14 and Acts 7:55-60.

Our place in the church calendar: This Sunday is the Fifth Sunday of Easter. The Easter Season lasts 50 days, from Easter Sunday to the Day of Pentecost. These fifty days represent the time Jesus was with the disciples after his resurrection, teaching them and giving them final words before his ascension and the sending of the Holy Spirit.

Text Summary:
Our scene from Acts is a snippet of the early Christians trying to build their community and define themselves. This text is about Stephen, one of the 'deacons' or servants of the early church who provided a sort of support function (including caring for the poor, hungry, widows, etc.) for the other disciples. Other members of Stephen's synagogue don't like what he has to say or the movement he's part of, so they lay charges of blasphemy against them. He stands fast, defending his faith. Here, we see him stoned. Stephen, as Jesus did, prays for the forgiveness of those who execute him. He is considered the first martyr of the baby church.

In John, we find Jesus giving words of comfort and strength to his disciples, in the chapters leading up to the passion narrative. Jesus tells the disciples there are many dwelling places where he is going, that they are invited and welcoming there. He will come and get them. Thomas says they don't know the way. Jesus says he is the way, the truth, and the life. Philip asks to know the Father. Jesus says they already have, in him. Those who believe in Jesus should do the works Jesus does, and will actually do even greater works, and be given anything they ask for in Jesus' name.

Sermon Thoughts:
-Today our sermon is After Easter: Courage, and focuses on what kind of courage the disciples had in the early church, in the time of transition from Easter to Pentecost. How did they have the courage to continue in the face of so much opposition? And do we need courage to be disciples today? Do we have it? Where do we get it?

-Verse 6 in our John text is probably one of the most debated verses in the bible. Some people interpret this verse as meaning that only people who are Christian can be 'saved' or have a true relationship with God. Others view this passage as a response to Thomas' question in particular - telling the disciples how they can continue to have a relationship with Jesus. Still others are just unsure about how to read these verse. Personally, I read it as a specific response to Thomas' question, but I don't think Jesus meant to limit the ways we can find a path to God.

-Jesus speaks to give comfort to the disciples who are very afraid at so much talk from Jesus about leaving them. He tries to comfort them, even as he challenges them.

-Stephen is considered the first martyr of the church, the first person who gave his life because of his faith in Jesus. Some kinds of martyrdom miss the mark, I think. Sometimes our lives are gifts not to be given in this way. But still, most of us, I think, would not be easily moved, even by our faith, to give our lives. Perhaps for our loved ones - that seems the most likely to inspire giving our own lives. The "greater love" of which Jesus speaks.

-We catch just the end of Stephen's story. He has just given a long speech about his faith after being arrested for blasphemy. I can't imagine being so bold in the face of such certain consequences of death. I can't think of any act in my life that has required even close to such courage.

-In the United States, we don't face the same kind of persecution as Christians that Stephen experienced. Unfortunately, once Christianity became the dominant religion in the 4th century, Christians in turn engaged in persecution of other religious traditions. The origins of the first colonies here were settlements made from those fleeing religious persecution. I wonder what makes us so willing as human beings to force our religious views on others? Isn't forcing faith a contradiction in terms? Don't we want others to experience genuine discipleship?

-Make a note of Saul in this passage. This is Saul of Tarsus, who we later know as Paul, the apostle. He will have a complete transformation in his life.

Questions for Discussion:
-What would give you comfort if someone you loved was leaving? What would bring you encouragement if a loved one was facing certain death?

-Acts 7:57 says, "they covered their ears" - do you sometimes cover your ears, literally or figuratively, to God's voice? God's messengers?

-Have you ever had to defend your faith to others? Did you keep quiet? Speak up? What did it feel like?

-What's the most courageous thing you've ever done in your life? What's the biggest risk you've ever taken? Has it paid off? Are there situations where you wish you had risked, but didn't? What held you back?

-Are there sins that you are holding against someone?

-A whole crowd stones Stephen. What could drive you to act as one of the crowd?

-We just remembered the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. King. His brave and prophetic voice against poverty, war, and racism inspires me and challenges me. What other modern-day martyrs have inspired you?

-In John 14:8, we read: "Show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." "Have I been with you all this time, and you still do not know me?" I like this exchange between Philip (a highly under-played apostle) and Jesus. "We will be satisfied." What would it take from God for you to be satisfied? It seems we humans always need one more proof, one more sign, one more prayer answered as we want it answered. Jesus says, "don't you get it? I'm all you need to be satisfied." Do we get it?

-Jesus tells the disciples that if we believe in him, we can do works even greater than he has done. Do you believe that? What do you think Jesus means?


For further reading:
Read Chris Haslam's comments and clippings on our text.

What are your questions about this text? Comments?

March 9th, 2008 - Scripture Focus: John 11:1-45 and Ezekiel 37:1-14

Our texts for March 9th is John 11:1-45 and Ezekiel 37:1-14.

Our place in the church calendar: This Sunday is the Fifth Sunday in Lent, the last Sunday before Holy Week begins. Lent is a penitential season of introspection, a time of repentance and renewal. It has traditionally been a time of fasting and abstinence. However, Sundays, 'mini-Easters', are always supposed to be 'feast days', days celebrating the resurrection. Therefore, Sundays are not included in the count of the 40 days of Lent. That's why we see "Third Sunday in Lent" instead of "Third Sunday of Lent." In our congregation, we are using the musical The Lion King to focus on our Lenten journey.

Text Summary:
Ezekiel is a prophet and priest writing just before and then during the exile to Babylon beginning in 587 BCE. In this vision, God brings him to a valley that is full of bones. God asks Ezekiel, "Mortal, can these bones live?" Ezekiel answers that only God knows. God tells Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones to hear God's word and that God's breath will enter them and they will live and know that God is God. Ezekiel does so, and the bones rejoin with flesh, and then God fills them with breath and they live again. God tells Ezekiel that these bones represent the House of Israel. They've said all hope is lost, but God sees hope yet.

In John, we read of the illness of Lazarus, brother of Mary and Martha, with whom Jesus is friends. Jesus says Lazarus' illness is an opportunity to give God glory. He waits two days, and tells the disciples that Lazarus is dead. They arrive in Bethany, and Martha tells Jesus if he'd been there sooner, Lazarus would be ok. Still, she doesn't blame him, but trusts in his power. Jesus tells her about resurrection - he is the resurrection and the life. Jesus is overcome with emotion at the grieving for Lazarus - he, too, weeps. He calls Lazarus out of the grave, after praying to God, and Lazarus indeed comes out of the tomb, still bound in grave clothes. Jesus orders him to be unbound and let go.

Sermon Thoughts:
-Today our sermon is Lion King: Unbound, and focuses on how Jesus frees Lazarus and brings new life to him. We'll also look at the Ezekiel text, and how God breathes new life into something that seemed entirely lifeless. We'll look for ways God can bring new life to us.

-Notice that Jesus speaks of himself as the resurrection, before he is crucified and raised in the scriptural accounts. Rather than predicting a future event in his life, I believe that he is speaking to the fact that he is currently at that time the resurrection. He is already raising people out of death, to new life. He is already transforming people, so that their lives become like nothing they could recognize before. That is resurrection, isn't it?

-"I believe . . . that you are the one coming into the world." This is one of my favorite verses in this passage - it is an active word, a continuing, not a one time event. Jesus doesn't just come into the world - he is coming into it, continually. Always entering into our lives.

- "Jesus wept." The shortest verse in the Bible, and one of the most powerful - "see how he loved him," responded the crowds. God is not untouched by our pain and suffering. That's why God comes to us in the person Jesus - to reach us by walking beside us in our struggles. That's incarnation.

- God, if you'd intervened, this bad thing wouldn't have happened to me! How many times to we offer this type of complaint up to God, blaming God for what goes wrong in our lives? God does intervene in our lives all the time - but we usually don't seem able to see God where God is - everywhere.

- The bones in our Ezekiel text go through two transitions - first they are put back together and given flesh, but only second are they given life by having God's breath breathed into them. There are so many places in the world and in the church that seem to be valleys of dry bones, once full of so much life. God promises new life, new breath, now. How can we embrace that promise?



Questions for Discussion:
- Jesus calls Lazarus out of the dark cave and orders him to be unbound. What is binding you up and keeping you from new life? What caves do you need to be called out of? What are the obstacles that are in the way, in between you and life, you and God?

- Have you ever felt like dry bones? Lifeless? How did the life get suck out of you? What do you think would happen if the breath of God was breathed back into you? What might happen if breath was breathed back into the church?

- Do you think resurrection is something we experience only in an afterlife, or can we experience it right now?

- What do you think Martha meant by saying that Jesus was "the one coming into the world?"

- Why do you think Jesus wept for Lazarus even though he knew he would raise him from the dead?


For further reading:
Read Chris Haslam's comments and clippings on our text.

What are your questions about this text? Comments?

March 2nd, 2008 - Scripture Focus: John 9:1-41

Our text for March 2nd is John 9:1-41. We'll also use Psalm 23 in worship, but it will not be the focus of our sermon time.

Our place in the church calendar: This Sunday is the Fourth Sunday in Lent. Lent is a penitential season of introspection, a time of repentance and renewal. It has traditionally been a time of fasting and abstinence. However, Sundays, 'mini-Easters', are always supposed to be 'feast days', days celebrating the resurrection. Therefore, Sundays are not included in the count of the 40 days of Lent. That's why we see "Third Sunday in Lent" instead of "Third Sunday of Lent." In our congregation, we are using the musical The Lion King to focus on our Lenten journey.

Text Summary:
As Jesus and the disciples are traveling, they see a man born blind, and ask Jesus who sinned to cause they blindness - the man, or his parents. Jesus surprises them by answering, "neither." He says he is the light of the world. He heals the man of his blindness, and people are astonished. They bring the man to the Pharisees - Jesus had healed on the Sabbath. The Pharisees argue over Jesus - he broke the law - he's a sinner - and yet he healed this man. The neighbors call the parents in to testify to make sure the man was really born blind. So they call the man back again. The man refuses to draw conclusions other than: "I was blind, now I see." No one seems satisfied with his explanations. The man is shocked that they can't figure out that Jesus is from God, or could not heal him. Jesus tells the man that he is the "Son of Man." Jesus concludes saying that he has come so that those who don't see see, and those who see become blind. The Pharisees think he can't be talking about them, but Jesus confirms he is. "If you were blind, you would not have sin, but now that you say, 'we see,' your sin remains."

Sermon Thoughts:
-In Jesus' day, most Jews would have believed that an affliction was the result of sin, either personal sin, or generationally passed on familial sin. The question the disciples ask is not unusual - it is the answer that Jesus gives that is unusual.

-"who sinned?" That's our natural human response, isn't it? We want to know who we can blame, who is at fault, when we see suffering. We don't like to admit that people might experience suffering not because of a sin committed.

-Isn't it amazing how much different the blind man looks to people once his sight is restored? People don't even recognize him, with his vision restored. But we have no reason to think his outward appearance has changed in any way. Amazing - how much an encounter with God can change someone. Amazing - how impossible it seems to everyone that we can change so drastically.

-The man tells it straight: he doesn't know who Jesus is, if he's a sinner or not, exactly. But he knows this - "I was blind, now I see." The results point to who Jesus is.

-"If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, 'We see,' your sin remains." Jesus is saying that if the Pharisees were really blind (lacking in spiritual understanding), then God would not hold them accountable for their sins. But if they do understand what Jesus is talking about, understand God (which they claim to do), then they are responsible for their sinfulness.

Questions for Discussion:
- "You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?" Today, do we still condemn people because of the wrongdoings of others? Even though Jesus says this man's parents did not sin, pretend that they were sinners for a minute. That the man was born blind because of his parents' sins. Is the man to be held accountable? Do we do that in society?

-Do you think you are spiritually 'blind' or not? If you 'see,' how do you act because of what you see?

-How do you think God sees you? How does God see others? Do you see with the same eyes God sees with?

-Why do you think the Pharisees are so determined to discredit Jesus' healing at all costs? What is at stake for them if Jesus truly healed the man?

For further reading:
Read Chris Haslam's comments and clippings on our text.

What are your questions about this text? Comments?

February 24th, 2008 - Scripture Focus: Exodus 17:1-7, John 4:5-42

Hello Friends - sorry for the lag in posting for a couple of weeks. It's been a busy time, but I 'm hoping to get back on track here.

Our texts for February 24th are Exodus 17:1-7 and John 4:5-42.

Our place in the church calendar: This Sunday is the Third Sunday in Lent. Lent is a penitential season of introspection, a time of repentance and renewal. It has traditionally been a time of fasting and abstinence. However, Sundays, 'mini-Easters', are always supposed to be 'feast days', days celebrating the resurrection. Therefore, Sundays are not included in the count of the 40 days of Lent. That's why we see "Third Sunday in Lent" instead of "Third Sunday of Lent." In our congregation, we are using the musical The Lion King to focus on our Lenten journey.

Text Summary: These are two fascinating texts. First, in Exodus, we are journeying with the Israelites. They have left Egypt with Moses and are traveling to the Promised Land with him. According to Chris Haslam (see link below), the Israelites are tested ten times throughout their journey to the Promised Land, just as God sends ten plagues to free them. I'd never noticed this parallel before. This is one of those tests: will the people trust God, or not? Only, as usual, the test comes about through the people trying to test God instead, complaining about their condition. They "quarrel"" with Moses and God, a legal term of complaint. Moses is distressed (even fearing for his life) at the bind he feels put in and wants help from God. God makes water from a rock, an act witnessed by elders.

In John, we find this lengthy and intriguing passage of "the woman at the well." Jesus is traveling through Samaria. Samaritans and Jews had 'tense' at best relationships with each other. Jesus speaking to this woman would be highly unusual. He asks her for water - and then goes on to tell her about living water that is eternal life. He tells her he knows about her story, her history. The woman talks about the religious disputes between Samaritans and Jews (Samaritans, for example, accepted only the Pentateuch as scripture), but Jesus says beyond those divisions, a time will come when "true worshipers" will worship "in spirit and truth." He tells the woman he is the Messiah. The woman leaves and tells others about Jesus as Messiah. The disciples, meanwhile, hear Jesus talking about the time being right for a harvest. Because of the woman's witness, many hear Jesus and come to believe he is the Messiah.

Sermon Thoughts:
-This passage from John is long and complex and hard to understand. We have to ask: what are the key points? What's the major theme? First, I think Jesus talks about being the one that sustains us completely. He's the living water, and he's the food we eat. Jesus says that his food, what fills him, is to do God's will. That's what's meant to fill us too - doing God's will.

-Another key theme is the idea of worshipping God in spirit and in truth. Jesus clearly prefers the traditions of the Jews (being so grounded in the prophets himself,) but he seems to look beyond to a time when those details are not important. It is "spirit and truth" that is important.

-Food and water are things required for us to live and survive. If God is our food, if Jesus is our living water, it doesn't make sense not to partake of that daily, frequently, constantly. Jesus ties himself into our daily survival. Not only that, but our action and response is tied into our own survival. Our food, what keeps us alive, Jesus says, is doing God's will.

- This passage isn't exactly about religious divisions and denominations, but I can't help but read that into it. What God wants is spirit and truth in worship. I suspect God cares less about our specific denominational doctrines and polities - as much as I do love the UMC!

-"Is the Lord among us or not?" That's the constant theme of the grumbling of the Israelites in their whole journey and in this passage in particular. We, too, seem always ready to accuse God of not being there for us.

Questions for Discussion:
- Have you ever tested God or demanded a sign? Can you remember a time in your life when you truly felt God was not with you? Looking back on the situation, do you feel differently?

- The Israelites bring their complaint against God. They don't seem afraid to complain to God. Have you ever brought a complaint against God? Do you think you can express to God any emotions you have?

- What is your 'food'? What is your living water? What sustains you and your faith journey? Is answering God's call necessary to your survival?

-How would you feel if you were in the woman's situation and Jesus told you everything there was to know about you? Would you feel ashamed? Exposed? Respond in faith? Touched? Transformed?

-Are their other groups of people you feel divided from? Even today, some divisions exist between Protestants and Catholics. Certainly we see divisions among different religions. We struggle with divisions of race and sex and class. Do you see a message for us in this text?

For further reading:
Read Chris Haslam's comments and clippings on our text.

What are your questions about this text? Comments?