by Yongbom Lee

Since Paul’s understanding of human-divine relationships was seated in the belief that God’s intention for humanity was positive, sustained, and generous, it is not difficult to see how Ḥesed could have been, for the Apostle, the binding confirmation of the reality of God’s unending love for creation.

by Peter S. Perry

Attempting to define the word <Ḥesed for use in a sermon can be daunting since it tends to differ depending on the translation used. The author feels it is worth the time since defining Ḥesed may help preachers gain new insights into their and their congregants’ relationships with God.

by Peter Lau

Here is a detailed analysis of the relationships among Ruth, Naomi, Boaz, and God as reported in the Book of Ruth. The Ḥesed in Ruth springs from a generous spirit whose self sacrifice helps those in need without regard for one’s own peril.

by Remington Slone

Lectionary Guide for August through October, 2013

Collected by Darla Turlington

Here are useful quotations from Scripture and Literature for pastors and others seeking reinforcement for a point or perhaps even a sermon title or idea—no permissions needed for use.

Reviewed by Neal D. Presa

According to author Cox, preaching requires sermon preparation and delivery that will enable the brain to receive the intended message. He lists several techniques for engaging the neural pathways in our brains to do just that.

By Jin Hee Han

This issue is packed with insights about the important theme of steadfast love. It translates the Hebrew ḥesed. Such a tiny term with a gigantic gist! Our readers will also detect the joy that our writers have embedded in their reflections on steadfast love. This fall issue of The Living Pulpit blesses our journey of faith as well as the time of our morning devotion when we start the day with hunger for the signs of God’s steadfast love in our daily life.

by John W. Herbst

The Old Testament Books of Judges and Ruth are set in the same time period—Israel prior to the establishment of the monarchy—but hospitality clearly “works” in one but does not fare so well in the other. This intriguing article explores the reasons why.

by Matilda G. Chase

Travel in the ancient mid-east was treacherous and so when strange travelers showed up in a community, they were welcomed, given food, water, and foot washing as a way of providing hospitality, and also for protection of the host. Once travelers were offered food and rest, they were less likely to attack or steal from the host’s community.

by Farrell Graves

Both American and Japanese hospitality assume that there is a distance that must be bridged, the only difference being from which shore the bridge is to be built. In Christian hospitality, there is nothing to bridge since it starts with mutual identification.

by Christopher Carter

Our understanding of hospitality is rooted within the experiences of our childhood home, our respective ethnic and geographic cultures…guided by our religious and/or philosophical perspectives.

by Kang-Yup Na

From the very first act of God’s creation of heaven and earth (Genesis 1.1) to the eschatological vision of the new heaven and earth (Revelation 21.1), hospitality…illuminates every canonical book toward spiritual insight and nourishment…the conceptual world of the word ‘hospitality’ embraces the entirety of Christian theology, piety, and mission.