By Efrain Agosto

The author explores the question of who became leaders in the churches founded by Paul and what was the social status of those leaders with respect to the strict, hierarchical social structure of Greco-Roman society. Like Jesus, Paul selects leaders from among those whom he serves. He expects them, as he does of himself, to serve even to the point of risk and sacrifice.

By Joseph Crockett

Bible engagement is an intentional, goal-directed activity. As language shapes an individual’s thought categories and empowers him or her to transcend those categories, engagement with biblical narratives involves social processes that can build and transform character. Individuals and communities have the capacity to be informed by the Word and the narratives of Judeo-Christian faith traditions—to become like Christ.

By Harriet Hill, with Peter Edman

The focus here is on the crisis barriers that severe trauma constructs between victims and an encounter with God’s Word; and how the project of American Bible Society, She’s My Sister, helps these people learn that crimes committed against them do not bring them shame and shows them how to be set free from their pain.

By Walter Brueggemann

The ancient memory of Jubilee is very odd. The term “Jubilee” is from the Hebrew YBL, “trumpet.” When the “trumpet sounds,” debts are forgiven and property is returned. These actions are not undertaken out of an emotional “rush,” but “on signal,” under discipline, in response to a regular communal expectation.

By Marie Dennis

At the heart of the Judeo-Christian tradition lies a vision that deserves continued probing as we settle into the new millennium. In religious circles for the past few years much has been said about the need for “Jubilee.” In fact, Jubilee images have animated a spectacular global movement that made progress toward debt cancellation real for some of the world’s most impoverished countries.

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.