Deus Misereatur

If Eugene Peterson can turn Wendell Berry's works toward preaching and pastoring, then I can turn Flannery O'Connor's in a similar direction. O'Connor wrote tons of letter until the day of her death. One of them was to a female friend whom she had long been encouraging to write. This young woman was crushed when she received some criticism on one of her yet-to-be published books. O'Connor responded to her in her sober, sensible and Southern fashion. What she says about criticism, and how to take it, struck me as very fitting for sermons. Below is her comment that I will slightly (and obviously) modify toward preaching: "No matter how just the criticism, any criticism at all which depresses you to the extent that you feel you cannot ever [preach] anything worth anything is from the Devil and to subject yourself to it is for you an occasion of sin. In you, the talent is there and you are expected to use it. Whether the work itself is completely successful,...

Echoes of Exodus: Tracing a Biblical Motif Bryan D. Estelle IVP Academic InterVarsity Press PO Box 1400 Downers Grove, IL 60515 ISBN: 978-0-8308-5168-3; $40.00; 2018 Most stories of all types have reverberations and insinuations from earlier tales. According to Bryan D. Estelle, professor of Old Testament at Westminster Seminary California, the Bible does as well. In his new 384 page softback, “Echoes of Exodus: Tracing a Biblical Motif,” the author works out the numerous ways the Exodus motif either explicitly surfaces, or softly whispers in the background, in both the Old and New Testaments. Though this volume is meticulous and scholarly, yet a thoughtful reader, with little to no seminary or technical education, can grasp the contents and profit from the time invested. Estelle normally sticks to his goal between these covers. His aim is “to help readers grow in their “allusion competence,” especially in their ability to recognize scriptural allusions to the exodus motif” (2). Fr...

Outer Dark by Cormac McCarthy My rating: 5 of 5 stars I am stunned by the work! Heavy with the grotesque (in a way that mirrors Flannery O'Connor), it also shows an off-set softness or grace. It ends in the way one almost expects from McCarthy, with no clear justice or happiness. And yet, there is something gentle, something hopeful wafting in the wind and fluttering in the dark shadows. Read "Outer Dark" with no illusions. Read it for what it is, a novel displaying the outer darkness where many shuffle along. And watch out for the trio who keep getting "found" at the most pregnant moments. View all my reviews

Old Testament Theology for Christians: From Ancient Context to Enduring Belief John H. Walton InterVarsity Press (IVP Academic) PO Box 1400 Downers Grove, IL 60515 Ivpress.com ISBN: 978-0-8308-5192-8; November 2017; $27.00 To help Christians read, and grasp, what the Old Testament says and doesn’t say, John H. Walton, professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College and Graduate School, has compiled a new 320 page hardback. “Old Testament Theology for Christians: From Ancient Context to Enduring Belief ” is, overall, an easy volume to peruse, because it is written for those who have little or no specialized background in Old Testament studies. If a reader is unfamiliar with Walton’s program in his “Lost World” series, this is a great entry point. Most of Walton’s central ideas are mapped out and visited in these pages. Outside of the introduction and conclusion, the work covers six Old Testament foci: Yahweh and the Gods, Cosmos and Humanity, Covenant and Kingdo...

(Sexual Sins) : Almighty God, mighty in compassion and mighty in kindness: be with those who are struggling with sexual sins…may they battle them, and may you be pleased to give them liberty over the sins they are battling with. In Augustine’s words:   command what you will and give what you command! Set them free from the evil affections and fill them with longing for you and the satisfaction of knowing you. Place them in the midst of other believers who will be able to walk with them, care for them, and encourage them in the ways of sanctification. O Lord, hear our prayer. (Marriages that are on the rocks): Almighty God, you know the thoughts and intentions of our hearts, our dreams, our schemes, and our plans, and you know the depth and darkness of our hurts. You are the one who can change the hearts of men and women, steering their direction; and so we implore you on behalf of those whose marriages are on the rocks…, that you would comfort them in their angst, anguish ...

Our Father, you are our rock of safety and in you is no unrighteousness at all. Grant unto us the grace we desperately need, so as to withstand the temptations and avoid the infections of the world, the flesh and the devil, so that with pure heart, sound mind and holy delight we may serve you in perfect liberty all our days. We remember these who are wrestling with and being wrestled down by, specific misfortunes…may it please you to console and relieve them according to their particular needs; giving them enduring patience under their sufferings and a happy ending to all their afflictions. Please uphold our country, and Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, as well as all other nations in our world, and direct the hearts and minds of all world leaders to do justly, love mercy and walk humbly before you in your ways of truth. We pray for this region that you would be pleased to give to us the needful portions of rain. Lord Jesus, who for our sake was condemned as a crimi...