Uncle Ishmael
The Bible & Religious Diversity

Latest

Mar
16
The Fifth Sunday of Lent: Ezekiel 37:1-14

The Fifth Sunday of Lent: Ezekiel 37:1-14

God breathes into these bones, covers them with skin, and places flesh on them. God revives them, and they become alive again.
3 min read
Feb
25
The Second Sunday in Lent: Genesis 12: 1-4a

The Second Sunday in Lent: Genesis 12: 1-4a

Blessing does not come to a single family alone. Abram is called to be a blessing to all the families of the earth. He is called to move from an egocentric to a worldcentric understanding of blessing.
3 min read
Feb
17
The First Sunday in Lent: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7

The First Sunday in Lent: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7

The story depicts the human condition. We are given choices. And even when we have so many options (all the trees!), we still want the one we can't have. It's the prohibited one!
3 min read
Feb
13
Ash Wednesday: Psalm 51, Genesis 3, and Joel 2

Ash Wednesday: Psalm 51, Genesis 3, and Joel 2

Ash Wednesday, as the first day of Lent, provides an opportunity to introduce the Old Testament as the primary site of theological reflection during this season.
11 min read
Jan
28
Dust You Are: Hebrew Scriptures, Lent, and Our Humanity

Dust You Are: Hebrew Scriptures, Lent, and Our Humanity

When my wife announced to her congregation several years ago that she would preach from the Old Testament during Lent,
4 min read
Jan
12
I am one and so are you!

I am one and so are you!

Abraham indeed had many sons. And Abraham has many children in our world today. I am one and so are you!
5 min read
Jan
07
Lent is Coming Soon!

Lent is Coming Soon!

I co-wrote a Lenten study of the book of Exodus. You can watch a video introduction to the study below.
2 min read
Dec
29
Manifesting Christ To The World

Manifesting Christ To The World

I love Epiphany! If I could turn the volume up on a particular Christian holy day (holiday), I might suggest
1 min read
Dec
25
Candles This Christmas

Candles This Christmas

I will light Candles this Christmas, Candles of joy despite all the sadness, Candles of hope where despair keeps watch,
1 min read
Dec
24
To Go Even Unto Bethlehem

To Go Even Unto Bethlehem

A Christmas theology of liberation begins in Bethlehem. Bethlehem, Palestine. O Little Town of Bethlehem. I have been to the
2 min read