I want to begin my introductory editorial comments with the expression of much gratitude to all my predecessors, especially the most immediate, Rev. Dr. Jin Hee Han whose calm yet compelling call to me to …
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by Nancy Fields
This is an honest exploration of some difficulties faced by the author as she embarked on her pastoral career. While expectations from new clergy about their idealized role may be high, old experiences can cause uncertainty. Here are personal tips on how to help clergy use innate belief in God’s healing ways to gaining a strong, redeeming sense of purpose.
by Christine Stopka
The author’s church is located near in the vicinity of the Sandy Hook Elementary School, scene of last year’s school shooting in Connecticut. She intentionally left her church open every day so that anyone seeking solace, to pray, or sit in the quiet could come. Members and non-members were grateful to find a place of peaceful silence.
by Mary Foulke
Sympathy and compassion are related, however, sympathy is more a feeling whereas compassion is both feeling and action. The author uses 2 Samuel, dealing with King David, to flesh out the differences between the two emotions; Jesus was a constant example of a life devoted to compassion for humankind. This intriguing article offers many insights useful to clergy.
by Peggy Adrien
The Gospel according to John starts off powerfully by identifying Jesus as the Word/as God. Within his Gospel, John cites only two healing stories—a cripple and a blind man. Here the author links the healer, Jesus, with the Old Testament demonstrating how these healings supported John’s opening statement about Jesus.
by Agnes McBeth
The author challenges readers to disconnect from the external, mundane practices of searching for God, and regain the healing power potential of connection within God—that relationship between Christ and the penitent heart. God’s healing goes beyond the physical, resulting in freedom. In this worldview, healing is defined by our ability to liberate others.
by Priscilla Marcial
This is an unusual article for our Journal since it deals with a modern day healing of a five-month old baby who had emergency heart surgery; despite the fine reputation of the surgeon and the hospital, the mother felt that the operation had failed, and was terrified. She prayed non-stop for her daughter. A question might be―who was healed?
Reviewed by Keith A. Russell
The first is Opening the Scriptures from the Christian Library Press; the second is Fortress Biblical Preaching Commentaries from Fortress Press.
Reviewed by Neal Presa
This volume describes the practical implications of being missional upon the preaching craft, and, by extension, upon the mission and ministry of the Church.
by Darla Turlington
Preachers and others may find some of the rich quotes cited here dealing with healing to be of use in sermons, newsletters, letters, and other media. No citing of source is necessary for use.
by Remington Slone
Whether or not a pastor follows the Lectionary, this perceptive commentary should prove valuable for preachers, seminary students, and lay readers seeking to expand their understanding of many Biblical passages from both Testaments.
by Jin Hee Han
The self-portrayal of God in Exodus 15:26 is dear to my heart. In it, God says, “I am the LORD who heals you” (NRSV; emphasis added). The Semitic cognates of the verb used here suggest that the Hebrew may have included an underlying meaning of “stitching.” When we are broken and torn, the Lord stitches us and restores us to health. The Lord is our healer.
by Alice Ogden Bellis
While neither Hosea 12:7-9 nor Romans 1:24-25 refers directly to addiction, the problems associated with it can be teased out of Hosea’s historical context. Other parts of Hosea deal with idolatry, as do the focal verses in Romans. The powerful connections among idolatry, addiction, economics, and politics constitute a serious malady today, that could also be observed in biblical times.
Title: Fish on Fire
Artist: Piety Choi
Size: 40"x40"
Mixed Media on Wooden Panel
This painting is based on the story at the end of the gospel of John in which the risen Christ came to his disciples on the morning of his resurrection and broiled the fish for them. To the wooden panel I attached the actual pieces of burnt burlap fabric and used acryl paint to reproduce a scene of broiling. While the Johannine passage is commonly understood as the risen Christ telling the world that he has risen and has returned to provide hope as well as hope-filled nourishment, I remember that fire also has the cleansing power of the fire of the Holy Spirit. According to other gospel traditions, Peter had denied Jesus three times. Jesus’ feeding of his disciples with the fish by the sea of Tiberias, however, has no trace of condemnation. In this scene, Jesus said to Peter, “Do you love me?” Jesus then asked Peter to tend his sheep. Divine justice might call to mind fire as punishment, but I cherish the power of the Lord’s fire that cleanses our soul from the stains of sin. There I see the path to renewal and new life.
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