By Henry Mitchell

It’s my impression that Jubilee is rarely discussed in church circles, except when encountered in Bible lessons. The topic is not exciting preaching material, either, I suspect.

by Kimberly Credit

“And Jesus went all about Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people”-Mt. 4:23

By Rev. Dr. Keith Russell

God’s promise of a new social order is promised through healing.

By Rev. Dr. Ronald J. Allen

Part of a minister’s calling is to try to find points at which the Year and the table of readings bring preacher and congregation into real conversation regarding our deepest beliefs concerning God and the world, as well as to critique points at which the Christian Year and the lectionary obfuscate theological reflection. At just this point, of course, we encounter one of the continuing evidences of Pentecost: whether through Christian Year and lectionary or some other means, the Spirit persistently seeks to lure us to deeper recognition of the divine presence and purposes.

By LeAnn Snow Flesher

The significance of the book of Job for the dispossessed in every time period and place cannot be over emphasized. For the book itself is a theodicy, i.e., an attempt to defend the justice and goodness of God in spite of the existence of evil in the world. This in and of itself makes the work significant for dispossessed since much of the violence and evil of this world has been wielded specifically against them often to their surprise and dismay. As a result, the dispossessed have frequently found themselves left alone, in suffering and pain, asking the question(s) “why?” and “how long?”

by Matthew T. Powell

The most powerful narratives force the reader to explore not only actions, but motivations as well. The multiple ambiguities in the story of Cain and Abel can lead us to understand sin as a powerfully complex and beguiling force with which all humans must struggle. This story is a study of how one human responds to the temptations of sin as well as the glaring light of judgment.

By Obery Hendricks

This paper was presented by Obery Hendricks, Ph.D., Professor of Biblical Interpretation at New York Theological Seminary and past President of Payne Theological Seminary, as the 8th Annual George W. Webber Lecture on Urban Ministry at New York Theological Seminary, on February 6, 2003.

by Dale T. Irvin

Christian initiation in the first centuries came through baptism, which was understood to be through water or by blood. Both were understood to be means by which the Spirit worked, for incorporation into the life of the church and the filling of the Spirit could not be separated. All Christian baptism was understood to be baptism of the spirit. To be incorporated into the community was to be given life, to come alive, to have Spirit.

by Mark Hamilton

What is the difference between a church and an airport? The question seemed less off-the-wall to me than it might as I waited in an odd corner of the Frankfurt International Airport for my plane to Zagreb. Tired, stiff, with swollen feet and stupefied mind, I felt like the alien I was….

by Keith A. Russell

The focus of this issue is on home. The question of what is home is explored from a variety of perspectives.

by Dale T. Irvin, Ph.D.

There is something inherently urban about Christian life and something inherently Christian about urban life.

by Dr. Edward L. Hunt

This sermon was preached by Dr. Edward L. Hunt on the occasion of the graduation ceremonies of New York Theological Seminary on May 16, 2009, at the Riverside Church in New York City. Dr. Hunt, a Baptist minister, is Professor of Pastoral Care and Director of the Prison Program at New York Theological Seminary.