Walter Brueggemann explains in The Prophetic Imagination some of the ways that King Solomon’s reign returned the Israelites to the oppressive culture they’d once experienced under the Egyptians. The top three tools are the “economics of affluence,” the “politics of oppression,” and the “establishment of a controlled, static religion.” According to Brueggemann, Solomon’s regime used these three cultural elements together to […]
Last words
The Seven Last Words service is an annual Easter rite in some traditions, an extended church service of preaching and prayer where speakers reflect on Jesus’ last seven utterances before his death: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do You will be with me in paradise Behold your son; behold your mother. […]
Building resilience
I’m speaking about resilience toward the end of this week at a conference in Maryland and have been completing my talk and presentation for the group. I’ve integrated several sources into my plans for the session and can’t wait to share it. Sources include womanist theology, critiques of conventional “death-surrogate” atonement, personal narratives, self- and community-care strategies, and a wellness […]