Many North Americans are well aware that our lands and waters are being depleted of the very natural resources that sustain us. We struggle with the tension between conservation and consumerism, not wanting to acknowledge that our own consumption contributes to the depletion of resources. Many North Americans are… Read More

Who were these bandits who attacked the stricken traveler? There are two distinct terms in the Greek language of the New Testament. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Luke chooses the term “lestes,” which describes a violent member of a group. Before one can fully appreciate the story… Read More

A negative view of Samaritans is found in many sources. These include the Hebrew scriptures, the New Testament, first century historian Josephus, and rabbinic writings. Learn more about the history of the Samaritans. The parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10.29–37 plays upon, and reverses, the typically negative… Read More

In “The Good Samaritan,” an interesting and subtle dynamic has gone mostly unnoticed. A recklessly eager lawyer schemes to draw Jesus into an argument. Instead of offering an answer that would be open to legal nitpicking, however, Jesus tells a story. In Luke’s telling of “The Good Samaritan,” an… Read More

Although parables are related to other kinds of speech like riddles and proverbs, parables emphasize story. Jesus’ parables are short stories that refer to God’s realm of power, God’s kingdom. In Luke’s Gospel the parable of the Good Samaritan is part of Jesus’ conversation with a lawyer about… Read More

We do not know who wrote Luke and Acts. Like many ancient types of writing, the author does not identify himself. The first verses in the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles show that they were both written by the same person – a man many believe… Read More

The Greek term for feeling compassion is used by Luke in several key stories, including the Widow of Nain and the Prodigal Son. This verb includes a physical aspect in the tone of its feeling because the related noun means “bowels, viscera.” Both the Greek verb and noun match our… Read More

The Scriptures remind us over and over again that God gets angry – angry at sin and disobedience and acts of injustice. The same is true about Jesus, God’s own Son. The Scriptures remind us over and over again that God gets angry – angry at sin and disobedience… Read More

We often speak of Jesus’ heavenly father, but what about his father on earth? Find out more about Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father. The Good Father Joseph is often referred to as a just man. This meant that he was an observant Jew, that he followed the Law of Moses… Read More

You may have heard the Christmas story many times, but when have you stopped to reflect on its meaning? Use this guide to meditate on the meaning of the Christmas story. Read Matthew 1:1 – 2:23 For younger children: Who told Joseph that Mary was going… Read More