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 Albrecht Classen
It would seem that modern people tend to interpret their dreams primarily as nightmares, or else follow the analytic precepts developed by Sigmund Freud and regard their dreams as expressions of unconscious desires, …
by Linda Seatts-Ogletree
There are many quotes, interpretations, and axioms on dreams and visions. One very popular quote we often hear is, “Teamwork makes the Dream Work.” When we engage “teamwork makes the dream work” in …
by Larrin Robertson
The fiftieth anniversary of the assassination of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is a crucial moment in the movement toward Civil Rights to which King gave himself. King became America’s leading prophetic …
by Neal D. Presa
The Collected Sermons of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Volume One by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Edited by Isabel Best. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2012. 240 pages. $25.46.
Karl Barth urged his students to read both newspapers and …
by Lisa Jarnot
Crayons for the City: Reneighboring Communities of Faith to Rebuild Neighborhoods of Hope by Kevin R. Yoho. Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2017. 276 pages. $33.
In the mid-1990s, when consigned to what looked like …
by Darla Turlington
God Speaks Through Dreams and Visions
After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very …
Dear Subscribers:
Be blessed with the online version of our new issue on SPIRITUALITY. The downloadable PDF version of our spring issue is being delayed. We will post it online as soon as it is available. …
by Cleotha Robertson
In this article, an in depth exploration of Psalm 1 is discussed as a means of understanding spiritual formation along with related imagery in Joshua and Ephesians. These scriptures utilize key language important for spiritual development and highlight the co-participation of the believer and God in what is a collaborative transcendent venture. This exemplifies the joint nature of spiritual growth. The believer must be a “hearer and doer” of God’s Word, while actively “Standing” and “walking” in order to evolve. Therefore, what the Lord has put together, let us strive to keep together while co-laboring with Him.
by Janiqua Codrington
Codrington expounds on the mysterious connection between ourselves and God and what it is that keeps us aligned with creation according to the understanding that the Spirit of God is within. Interestingly, Jürgen Moltmann’s insightful metaphor captures the Spirit’s wholeness by calling it the Spirit of Life; the unrestricted presence of God that awakens our life. “Unrestricted presence” precludes any attempt to contain the Spirit that never sought to be confined. The Spirit of Life is available to the whole of creation and forges a connection that extends beyond human limitation and prejudice, thereby forming “spirituality.”
by Linda Anderson-Little
According to Rick Rouse and Craig Van Gelder, certain shifts in identity must be undertaken by a congregation that desires to transform its traditional ministry to one that engages millennials, the “spiritual but not religious,” and “nones” from maintenance to mission; membership to discipleship; pastor centered to lay empowered; chaplaincy to hospitality; self-focus to global-focus; and settled to abroad.
by Kevin Yoho
Being created by God as spiritual beings, life which is sourced by The Spirit is available to all. The community of faith must always remember that the Church and its leaders are called to be authentic, open channels for God’s spiritual energy to flow through us. We ourselves however, are not the spiritual energy as discussed in this article, but rather are immersed and filled with spiritual energy sourced in God. Each of us as followers of Jesus Christ are gathered and sent on the mission to release spiritual energy.
by Moses Biney
This short article interrogates the notion that religious affiliation is of little or no importance to spiritual life. Further, it asserts that religious congregations continue to be very vital for spiritual formation and living. As a starting point, we must problematize the concept of spirituality.
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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