Work And The Image Of God

Of all the things that were created, Moses tells us there is nothing like man.  Only man is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27).  I understand this phrase to be speaking about not what man is made of, but what he is made for.  Notice the language of verse 26, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness,Continue reading “Work And The Image Of God”

When God Weeps

Judgment is something most people (believers and unbelievers), would rather not hear or think about.  I understand that.  It’s kind of like hearing about income taxes or estate planning— even though we might understand the inevitability and importance of such matters, they’re never going to be something we are eager about.  And while judgment shouldn’t be something disciples major in, we’re doing no one any favorsContinue reading “When God Weeps”

There Is One God!

Knowing the idolatrous environment that existed in where they had been (Egypt), and in where they were going (Canaan), it’s hard to read Genesis 1 and not see it (at least at one level), as an emphatic rebuke of polytheism and its “god for everything” approach.  Israel is told in no uncertain terms that the God who madeContinue reading “There Is One God!”

Starry, Starry Night

Northern California is the location of the giant sequoia trees.  According to information from The Sequoia National Park website, the tallest of them tops out at somewhere around 300 feet with a base circumference of 40 feet.  Their branches can be up to 8 feet in diameter and their bark is three feet thick. They weigh up to 2.7 millionContinue reading “Starry, Starry Night”

Ritual And Community

The Passover was a meal to be observed in community.  Although it was originally taken as a household, everyone did it at the same time and in the same time (Exodus 12:46-47,6,8).  Later when Israel had settled in the land, everyone journeyed to Jerusalem in order to celebrate it as a nation (Deuteronomy 16:1-7). It was aContinue reading “Ritual And Community”

Losing Our Religion

Morning Edition recently did a series called Losing Our Religion. Predictably, it focused on the demise of organized religion. The segment I listened to quoted the Pew Research Center’s findings that one-third of people under 30 have opted out of any religious affiliation. They are known as the nones. (To me, the more compelling storyline would have beenContinue reading “Losing Our Religion”