By Jin Hee Han

Our 2013 summer issue is packed with blessings that center around the theme of hospitality. Authors for this issue come from many different backgrounds, but their contributions come together to make a chorus that calls attention to the centrality of hospitality in our faith walk. They help us to feel the warmth that hospitality generates, and their testimonies are a telltale sign that hospitality continues to be the mainstay of our communal life.

By Elaine Padilla

This is an intriguing study of the racial implications to be gleaned from the Song of Songs. Dr. Padilla guides the reader into the text in ways that help move it from sexual innuendo to serious scholarship.

By Hrayr Jebejian

The thirst for the Bible is strong indeed among the people who migrate to the oil-rich Middle East seeking the promise of high paying jobs but often finding disappointing and harsh conditions. The author shares his experiences in how getting bibles to the people in their own languages, has helped them in their quest for a better life.

By Naomi Koltun-Fromm

This probing analysis of ancient Hebrew texts offers revealing clues as to why the apparent bias against women became part of the ancient culture as reflected in the Hebrew Bible. This article offers a rich resource for pastors interested in exploring feminist issues.

By Pablo R. Diaz

While the Bible is not exactly a book about leadership, the author contends that it can be a rich resource for pastors and others of what genuine leadership entails. He uses Moses, Gideon, and Mary as examples of people who became strong leaders despite their own insecurities and offers useful leadership concepts drawn from the bible.

By Kuo-Wei Peng

As a theological concept, the image and likeness of God has evoked numerous discussions since the Christian church was formed. The author here argues that the Pauline Epistles offer a definitive understanding of how Paul resolved this issue.

By Colum Hourihane

The role of Pontius Pilate in relation to the trial of Jesus and his Crucifixion is explored in this intriguing study of ancient texts and artwork. Does every action in the Bible need to be stated or can it be inferred as a logical outcome of the events described?

By Peter Carnley

The author takes strenuous issue with concept of God as having both masculine and feminine characteristics especially with the identification of transcendence as masculine and immanence as feminine. He offers intriguing arguments that may not resolve the issue for all but are sure to give pause to those on either side of this theological conundrum.

By Remington Slone

This lectionary guide covers Sundays from February 3 through April 28, 2013.

Collected by Darla Turlington

These quotations, on the general topic of In God’s Image, were selected from both Testaments of the Bible as well as a variety of authors, and speakers; they may be useful to pastors, theologians, seminary students, and others in their sermon preparation, research, writings, or reflections.

Reviewed by Keith Russell

The Practice of Prophetic Preaching: Preaching An Emancipating Word
by Walter Brueggemann (Fortress Press, 2012)

By Jin Hee Han

This issue brings proceedings of the Bible conference “In God’s Image” held at New York Theological Seminary on Monday, October 22, 2012. I am confident that this issue will capture the blessings poured out at the conference and transmit them to the wider community of The Living Pulpit.