Category Archives: Theology

Hospitality & God’s Abundance, Part 4

Posted on September 30, 2023 by Fred

Jesus spoke liberation to the “ptochos,” neighbors pressed down by poverty systems. (Lk. 6:20-23; 12:22-34). Jesus often brought attention to them when talking with others (Mk. 10:21; 12:41-44; Lk. 14:13-14; 16:19-31). His relentless commitment to extending God’s hospitality to them … Continue reading →

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Hospitality in Context, Part 2

Posted on September 29, 2021 by Fred

When our society speaks of hospitality today, we do not normally think of a kinship love for strangers, which is the meaning of philoxenia, the biblical Greek word usually translated as “hospitality.” We live in a culture of xenophobia—a fear … Continue reading →

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The Passion of the Prophets

Posted on January 28, 2020 by Fred

From around 740 to 520 BCE we find the ministry of the Hebrew prophets (with the possible exception of Malachi). It was a time of significant social crisis, cultural decay, and political instability. The small farmers were the backbone of … Continue reading →

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Hope, Gracious Hospitality, Friendship & Love.

Posted on May 3, 2016 by Fred

I need you to see something: Do you see it? How about here: Do you see now? How about here: It looks like hope, doesn’t it? It looks a lot like hospitality, welcoming and embracing the stranger with the welcoming embrace of Christ. If you look … Continue reading →

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Embracing Peter

Posted on May 22, 2015 by Fred

Peter has held out his hand to God’s people a few times before just to have them push it away. At least that is what it felt like when the last two churches asked Peter and his friends to leave … Continue reading →

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