Articles on the use of stories, parables, allegories, metaphors, similes (and so forth) in expressing God truth.
The first parable comes from the Judy Canova Show. It was a radio comedy program from the 1940s. The humor, especially little skits that are supposed to be drawn from Judy's childhood, embrace a certain "hillbilly humor." This is a story loosely based on a one-off joke in one of these skits. It is funny …
Continue reading Uncle Clem Fell Down in the Well— Two Parables
Many, many years ago, I was an mechanical engineering student at the University of Buffalo (SUNY at Buffalo). One of my professor's was named Dr. Isada. Despite the Japanese name, he was Filipino, with a relatively strong accent and infectious laugh, and was at that time nearing retirement. I liked him as a teacher. I …
Continue reading Exactly Where He Was Supposed To Be— a story
I don't preach missions sermons very often. Why? Well... as bad as many (most?) churches are in terms of missions, I rarely feel that that is the topic that is needed on Sunday. However, I am in the US right now, and preached this Sermon at one church, and will preach this same sermon three …
Continue reading How Should the Church Respond to Persecution?
I don't put sermons here very often, but I thought I would share one I did today at my church. Find Us Faithful Matthew 24:42-51 Chapter 24 of the Gospel According to St. Matthew is a message that Jesus gave His followers about the future. Jesus's time on earth was coming to a close. He …
'The myths of primitive society are merely the result of an endeavour to express certain ways of thinking and feeling about the facts of life which are brought into existence by the manner in which life is regulated in society.' ---Alfred Radcliffe-Brown (as noted by E.O. James in 'The Nature and Function of Myth' in …
Man of the Sun. That was his name--- ironic that he had not seen the sun in many months, and would never see it again. A cruel joke of a name. But there were many cruel jokes. People would listen to his every word with deep reverence. Now he was a laughingstock. His fabled strength …
The following is an excerpt from my new little book, "Missions in Samaria." This section seeks to look at one principle for missions that can be drawn from the history of missions work in Samaria and with Samaritans. This one is about Subverting the Tropes. Missions in Samaria Subvert the Tropes. Jesus did this in …
Continue reading Subverting the Tropes in Christian Missions
The Woodcarver saw it on the beach. It was much larger than the normal pieces he would take to be turn into wooden utensils, statues, and a variety of tchotchkes for tourists. He liked pieces of wood that had character to them--- gnarled branches, hollow logs, and even stumps with roots. But this big one …
She stayed when others ran away. She stayed while others mocked and derided. She stayed while others (filled with shame perhaps?) stayed on the periphery and then snuck off. A man hung above her... and he was not alone. Her son did no wrong. He died because of the sins of others. He died because …
The following might be considered a "midrash aggadah." While these can vary, they are often stories built on a Biblical narrative. Sometimes they essentially serve as a running commentary. Other times, they can be quite speculative, leading hopefully to interesting discussions. <Note: I originally had called this story "Solomon's 2nd Dream" until I realized that …