Reviewed by Keith A. Russell

Lectionary based, the new biblical commentary series released by Fortress is an interesting and helpful resource for preachers in that it seeks to bring together both topical/theme inquiry and exegetical treatment of biblical texts.

Reviewed by Neal D. Presa

My Bright Abyss: Meditation of a Modern Believer by Christian Wiman (New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2013).
In his battle with a bone disease that renders him in agonizing pain and preparing for a bone marrow transplant, Wiman recounted his wrestling and grappling with the God whom he knows and pondering the future of his wife and child.

By Jin Hee Han

As our new issue on SUPERABUNDANCE comes to light, the fall season is firmly in place. It is the time of harvest with the bountiful gifts of heaven. Superabundance is a generous giver that gives without expecting anything in return. We are charged to be good stewards of the good news of the reign of God, from whom superabundance flows.

by Katharine Doob Sakenfeld

Helpful examples of Cḥesed expressed in human relationships are in the stories of Ruth and Naomi and of David and Jonathan. These help us to understand the fullness of God’s Cḥesed, which is steadfast and therefore abundantly greater than any human expressions.

by Baruch A. Levine

The meaning of Ḥesed has been studied by Sages and scholars since antiquity. It operates on two planes: human-to-human, and human-to-divine, where Ḥesed is an attribute of God. The Hebrew noun Ḥesed has no known etymology; we learn its meaning entirely from context and usage.

by Kang-Yup Na

This intriguing study explores three complex concepts that overlap yet remain distinctive aspects of our relationships with one another and with God. “Jung” is not a person but a Korean understanding of spiritual connections to one another.

by Mark Leuchter

While Ḥesed has different meanings for different situations, here are many instructive examples to help clarify the power of this ancient word that remains useful for contemporary preachers, congregations, and anyone seeking to express deeper relationships with God and one another.

by Douglas S. Stivison

Many Christians believe that Ḥesed is the unconditional love of God despite whatever failings people may have. However, some believe that ḥesed may be part of a covenantal relationship where fulfilling binding pledges is necessary before a covenant is confirmed.

by Brad Embry

While notoriously difficult to translate, ḥesed is often defined as loving kindness or steadfast love; it is also rendered in terms of power and strength as an act of God to deliver the believer from an enemy. It is a word for all seasons for many reasons.

by Jo David

Written by a Rabbi for non-Jewish readers, this piece offers clear explanations of various Jewish religious rites and occasions that deal with the concept of Ḥesed; this is an excellent opportunity for Christian clergy to gain insight into the religion that Jesus followed.

by Åke Viberg

Here Jeremiah is the one to deliver a particular understanding of ḥesed, as expressed in chapters 18 and 19 with the image of a potter who takes a lump of clay and fashions it into whatever shape the potter wishes; if the clay did not turn out as intended, the potter could reshape it with loving attention.

by Phil Ruge-Jones

The author encourages us to communicate with our listeners not only by preaching at them but by drawing them into the Gospel readings through a “you are there” technique of Biblical story telling. How better to demonstrate the Ḥesed of Jesus than a memorable encounter with him?