Deus Misereatur

  Back in May 2020, I heard Dan Crenshaw, wounded veteran, medically retired Navy SEAL, and U.S. congressman (TX-R), for the first time. He was being interviewed by Anne McElvoy of The Economist . Though it was clear they were not on the same political page, it was a delightfully engaging discussion. He conducted himself with civil certainty, laughed with the interviewer, disagreed charitably with her, gave her thoughtful and informed responses that impressed her, etc. I thought then, "I like this guy! I need to get his book." And I'm glad I did. I wasn't disappointed. Since there are already thousands (and I do mean thousands) of ratings and reviews on this book (it came out in April 2020!), my evaluation will be short. What I appreciated about the book: (1) Crenshaw hits the nail on the head with regard to the growing environment of outrage and fragility in the U.S.A. - both on the "right" and on the "left". Nobody is exempt from his criticism. P...

  With Hannah (1 Samuel 2:1-10) we pray: “ My heart exults in the LORD; my horn is exalted in the LORD. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation .” Thank you for your compassionate care over us, and for listening to our concerns. Thank you for lifting us up out of the miry clay and setting our feet on the Rock. Thank you for rescuing us from the one who had the power over death, and the fear of death. Our hearts do exult in you.     “ There is none holy like the LORD: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God. Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed .” We pray to you, O Lord who knows our hearts, and is in our homes. Heal the strained and stressed marriages (…); mend the fragmented and fractured families (…); and repair the brittle and bleak hearts that are troubled (…). Bring reconciliation where there has been hostility; r...

  Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope Esau McCaulley IVP Academic www.ivpress.com ISBN: 978-0-8308-5486-8; September 2020; $20.00   On occasion I have had the pleasure of overhearing my adult children talking to others without their knowing I was around. It’s quite a humbling experience, and many times, encouraging to hear them owning the faith for themselves. Their interactions with the other person were not meant for my ears necessarily, which is what makes it even more meaningful. That’s very much the case with a new 208-page softback, “Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope”. Esau McCaulley, assistant professor of New Testament at Wheaton College, priest in the Anglican Church in North America, contributing opinion writer for  The New York Times , and host of  The Disrupters  podcast, is writing for a black audience that may be skeptical of Christianity and doubtfu...

  Exodus Old and New: A Biblical Theology of Redemption L. Michael Morales IVP Academic www.ivpress.com ISBN:  978-0-8308-5539-1; August 2020; $22.00   It doesn’t take long while out hiking in the hinterlands. As one treks through shrubs and woodlands, ascending and descending along dusty trails or unmarked ways, there begins to grow a sense of somewhereness. I am presently here, trudging and traipsing, dirty and damp, heading to an end point, but I belong somewhere else; somewhere that is beautiful, somewhere that is tranquil and restful, somewhere subtly or surprisingly refreshing.   L. Michael Morales, professor of biblical studies at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Taylors, South Carolina, and previous provost and professor of Old Testament at Reformation Bible College in Sanford, Florida, has recently penned a scenic script that taps into this somewhereness. It is a 224-page softback that takes up exile and exodus in Scripture, and de...

  Mighty God, Loving Father, who sent your Son, Jesus Christ to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified (Isaiah 61:2-3); we lift up our hearts and hands and voices to give you praise, to thank you, and to rejoice in your goodness! O Lord, hear our prayer.   Creator and Sustainer, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever; we pray for the nations and peoples of the world, we pray for our own country, we pray for our friends, foes and family with the Psalmist in Psalm 146: please execute justice for the oppressed (…); give food to the hungry (…); set the prisoners free, specifically those who are innoc...

  O our God and Father, who is making the first last and the last first, and who has made little children the measure of your kingdom, we pray for your church here and worldwide, including (…). Please give us that wisdom from above which is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere (James 3:17). As we operate, deliberate, expostulate, and at times, remonstrate, may it not be as enemies and adversaries, but as fellow human beings made in your image, made to have unending fellowship with you, O Father, Son and Holy Spirit. May we grasp right from wrong and chose that which is right, for ourselves, our families, and our people. May partiality and prejudice be put far from us, and integrity and equality gain the upper hand. Lord, as we pray for our local, State and National leaders, we affirm with the Sage in Proverbs that the wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving (Proverbs 14:8...

  For husbands and wives, we pray. May the husbands recall and focus on living with their wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with them of the grace of life, and that their prayers may not be hindered (1 Peter 3:7). Also, that the wives would be subject to their husbands (and may we men be worth it!) with respect and pure conduct, clothed with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:1-6). Reclaim those marriages where the fault lines are beginning to form under the various loads and strains (…). O Lord, hear our prayer.   For heath and recovery, we pray. Almighty God, who judges the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity, look upon your servants (Mr. Trump, his wife, and others…). Lift up their hearts, sustain their healing, give rest and refreshment to them body and soul, and grant them a speedy recovery. And during this time, as they feel the aches and discomfort, may they ...