Category Archives: Biblical Studies

Selling Providence

Posted on September 15, 2019 by hessd

In these brief comments, I reflect on the way Providence (formally Providence Health and Services) markets itself.  At every Providence site I have seen—and I have seen many in the Portland area—these five framed posters are displayed.  It is a … Continue reading →

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Journalism Rears Its Ugly Head

Posted on August 22, 2019 by hessd

Nothing against journalists. The “journalism” I have in mind is the perverse practice of reading the Bible as if you were reading a newspaper account. I think the Bible should be read as if it were a sermon with really … Continue reading →

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Bible/Anthropology 201

Posted on July 31, 2019 by hessd

At Holladay Park Plaza (HPP), where Bette and I live, [1] there is a set of electronic bulletin boards, telling what is going on that day/week.  Each event or activity is identified by a little icon, telling what kind of … Continue reading →

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The Prodigal Son–for Women

Posted on July 27, 2019 by hessd

My friend, Fran Page, gave me a gift last week.  In the narrowest sense, it was just the gift of an astute observation.  She said that the story of Martha and Mary was the story of the prodigal son—for women.  I … Continue reading →

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Jesus washes the feet of Judas

Posted on April 20, 2019 by hessd

Each of the accounts of Holy Week gives a different account of the relationship between Jesus and his disciple, Judas Iscariot. I want to puzzle a little today, in the time between the Maundy Thursday service and the Good Friday … Continue reading →

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Playing the Angel Card

Posted on April 3, 2019 by hessd

Let’s start with the silly question approach.   Q: Why did Luke not write that Jesus was comforted by an angel after his testing in the wilderness after his baptism? A: He needed an angel to comfort Jesus in Gethsemane … Continue reading →

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Turning cheeks and turning tables

Posted on March 12, 2019 by hessd

The little badger invented by Russell Hoban and brought charmingly to life in the illustrations of Lillian Hoban, has been my favorite badger for a long time. [1] I have liked all the Frances books, but I have had reason … Continue reading →

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Asymmetrical Mutual Prohibitions

Posted on March 4, 2019 by hessd

I know that’s an awful title, but I don’t get to say things like that all the time and this time I think I can justify it.  I will let you be the judge. For one reason or another, I … Continue reading →

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On being God’s prophet

Posted on December 27, 2018 by hessd

Here is a series of reflections on the “emptying out” that so often—necessarily?—precedes the giving of God’s word to a prophet. And maybe more than a prophet, as well. Here, for instance is how Amos was called (Amos 7:14,15) 14 … Continue reading →

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Am I going somewhere?

Posted on December 18, 2018 by hessd

Where I live there are lots of old people, so, of course, there are a lot of deaths. I have written recently about the effect the high number of deaths has on how we take note of deaths and on how … Continue reading →

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