Interviewer: What would you say was religious about your mother?Greg Jenkins: Everything that she did was through Christianity. The question “What kind of woman was Annapuranee Jenkins?” has been ringing in my head. Why? Because I write about inquests, a court-centred process whose goal is to find the cause of death of a person. And …
Actually, Annapuranee Jenkins is very newsworthy Read More »
The lectionary readings for tomorrow include Hosea 1:2-10. Tomorrow, I’ll speak about it. So today, I’ll just share a short prayer written by Salim J Munayer, a Palestinian Christian, as a response to the book of Hosea. A prayer response to the book of Hosea Lord, may justice flow like a riverReaching barren lands and …
The lectionary readings for this Sunday include a wordplay vision. It’s found in the first three verses of Amos 8:1-12. It’s in the similarity in sound in the Hebrew words translated “summer fruits” and “silence” in the English Standard Version (ESV). Any student of the Bible, the Word of God, knows that there’s always mystery …
On Sunday, we heard again the text of the story popularly known as “The Good Samaritan.” It’s a story with five characters. They’re not given names like Ali, Ah Chong and Muthu. They’re given designations. The designation of one of them, “Samaritan,” instantly signals to Jesus’ audience a person who’s popularly regarded as vile, evil, …
Today’s Jericho roads, Samaritans, and religious folk Read More »
Did God approve prostitution as a punishment? Prophet Amos said something terrible to Amaziah, priest of Bethel, Israel. Claiming to speak for YHWH, Amos said Amaziah’s wife would become a prostitute. And that Amaziah’s children would die violent deaths. And that Amaziah would “die in an unclean land.” All that’s in in Amos 7:7-17, included …
The question “Should we expose kids to the book of Hosea?” is ringing in my mind. There are two reasons for this. First, I recently helped prepare a ten-year-old to read the scriptures publicly for the first time. Second, I plan to preach from Hosea 1:2-10 on 24 July. At every Sunday service, three or …
The lectionary readings for this Sunday include 2 Kings 5:1-14, which the English Standard Version titles “Naaman healed of leprosy.” It’s another of the puzzling stories God has caused to be recorded for us. If you’ve read my previous column, you’ll know of another puzzling story: the “appointment” of Hazael as king of Syria by …
Previously, I pointed out that God commanded the prophet Elijah to anoint horrible Hazael king of Syria. And that Elijah didn’t do so. Remarkably, God didn’t punish Elijah for his disobedience. In fact, God gave Elijah a unique “reward.” How so? Because Elijah didn’t die like others. His departure was miraculous. As stated in 2 …
An ivory inscription dated to the early 800s BC. The word “Hazael” appears in it. Hazael, King of Syria, a usurper on the throne of Syria, was one of the worst enemies of Israel. Yet, the decision to make Hazael king of Syria was made by YHWH, the God of Israel. How so? By YHWH’s …
What would’ve run through my mind if I were reading Romans 5:1-5 during the bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1956? I ask this question for two reasons. First, Romans 5:1-5 is in our lectionary readings for tomorrow. Second, I’ve been reading about a church in Montgomery which was at the centre of the 381-day …
