by Stephen Reed

In order to shed understanding on the reconciliation sought by The Confession of 1967, several biblical passages illustrate how reconciliation was a unifying force in scripture. We are able to simultaneously look at history and the present to see how fellowship does not have to be limited to likeness of traditions and convictions. The desire of God’s intent to affect all is fully felt.

by Neal Presa

The Confession of 1967 is an auspicious occasion in world and church history and is passionately documented with relevance in this piece. As divisions are bridged and progress is sought, the church is urgently encouraged to move onward with Christ’s mission.

by Daryl G. Bloodsaw, I

Emotions often separated because of their polar nature, rejoicing and sorrow, are brought together in a much-needed conversation. Daryl Bloodsaw reveals how the human tendency to avoid sorrow’s end of the emotional spectrum undercuts the fullness of rejoicing with a simple study of Job. The reconciliation offered between the emotional opposites challenges readers to experience all for the fulfillment of God’s plans.

by Eunjoo Mary Kim

The root of our ability to rejoice is plainly expressed by Eunjoo Mary Kim, “The Lord has come as our Savior King.” She uses the well-known advent hymn Joy to the World to deepen our sense of rejoicing no matter the tumultuous circumstances of our time. She offers the challenge to rise with the hope of the living Christ to make rejoicing an action rather than a feeling this season.

by Brandt L. Montgomery

This article adds a refreshing narrative to the advent season by exploring doubting Thomas whose feast day is four days before the birth of Christ. The reader will receive a strong reminder of the power of hope while in the throes of doubt. As Jesus meets Thomas in his grieving, we are encouraged to be bold enough to rejoice even while waiting through imperfect times.

by Peter S. Perry

Exploring the reality of Christmas time’s complexities, the season’s mixed emotions are contextualized in God’s eternal landscape. Readers will see the strength of rejoicing as an action rather than a reactionary feeling as it anchors us in the joy of Christ even as the world faces ongoing tragedies.

by C.H.E. Sadaphal

Rejoicing has an inherently reverent nature. With the use of a single verse, Psalm 97:1, we are taught that rejoicing acknowledges the King, the extent of the King’s sovereignty, the means by which the King rules, and the guarantees enjoyed by those in the Kingdom.

by Christine Stopka

A personal and vulnerable narrative that reveals the difficulties of the wilderness that life often is. The essay gives readers an alternative to simply reacting to the hopelessness of the wilderness by rejoicing. This piece’s approach to rejoicing is unlike the typical approaches this season displays. It is a quiet, careful, and measured approach to seeing how God works in our dark places to reveal the light.

by Douglas S. Stivison

The Protestant Reformation not only changed forever the course of Christian belief and worship, it also elevated respect for individual conscience and honest inquiry. To preach faithfully in a contemporary Protestant pulpit demands that we help our parishioners appreciate the priceless and revolutionary concept that is the foundation of Reformed worship – freedom of conscience.

by Neal D. Presa

The subversive beauty that lurks in the human story, which gives witness to the power of the hidden Christ, who is real in our speaking and in our living can be seen in comparing the works of Shūsaku Endō, Makoto Fujimura, and Martin Scorsese.

by John W. Herbst

We live in an age of distrust, far from Isaiah’s ideal. Individually and collectively, people seek security. The church needs to promote Isaiah’s solutions to local and global disharmony: concentration on God’s ways and values, and the promotion of justice for all people, everywhere. It is only in knowledge and justice that our society will experience true shalom.

by Albrecht Classen

Both Christine and St. Francis are deeply insightful, timeless, spiritual, and illuminating philosophers on peace and its universal meaning. We need only little translation to make both their teachings relevant today. The goals and ideas have not changed, but only the material and political framework.