“He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.” (Acts 1.3 ESV)
Author Archives: Jimmy Doyle
Fasting Meditation 4: From the Didache, a first century guide to Christian life and community
The Didache is dated by most scholars to the end of the first century. It’s opening line (essentially its title) is: “Teaching of the Lord to the Gentiles (or Nations) by the Twelve Apostles”. It contains elements regarding Christian life and community, quoting and echoing the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Continue reading
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Fasting Meditation 3: A Christian Writing from the Second Century (2 Clement)
Although labeled “2 Clement” this excerpt is from a text written by an anonymous author from the second century (A.D. 140-160) and not Clement of Rome (who was from the generation following the apostles). However, the work was included along with 1 Clement in several Christian collections, one of which (Codex Alexandrinus) dates from the fourth century. Continue reading
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Fasting, Meditation 2: Shepherd of Hermas
From a text known title “The Shepherd of Hermas”. One of the earliest Christian texts we have after the New Testament, dating from the first or second century. It was very popular among Christians in the second and third centuries. Continue reading
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“…This is The Fast I Have Chosen…”
“‘Why have we fasted,
and you haven’t seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
and you haven’t known about it?’ Continue reading
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Where Jesus Lived
According to the Gospels, Jesus’ childhood and young adulthood was in Nazareth, in the central Galilee along the northern edge of the fertile Jezreel Valley. However, we know virtually nothing about this early period of Jesus’ life. After his baptism, according to the gospels, Jesus made his home in the town of Capernaum, located on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee. Continue reading
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Rich Rosendahl on Syrian Refugees and Being Good Neighbors
This is the first in a series of podcasts addressing the topic of Syrian Refugees. This episode contains an interview with Rich Rosendahl from November 2015. Rich is the founder and director of The Nations, an organization focused on coaching individuals and groups on how to connect with our refugee neighbors locally and around the world. Rich has a broad range of experience in building deep relationships and networks with refugee neighbors in the Middle East and in the U.S.
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MLK’s “I Have A Dream” Speech
It is difficult to say about any of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speeches, “This one is his best.” The depth of content and delivery of his messages is so consistent every time he spoke. However, there are messages that are more well known and more influential in the thinking, conscience, and behavior in the history of our nation. One of those messages is his speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., delivered to over 250,000 who had gathered for the March on Washington in the summer of 1963. Continue reading
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MLK’s Message to the Church (excerpts from “Letter From Birmingham Jail”)
Below are excerpts from MLK’s “Letter From Birmingham Jail”, written and developed in response to an open letter issued by eight white clergymen who were opposed to the Birmingham civil rights demonstrations in Spring of 1963. Continue reading
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MLK’s Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech
Here are excerpts from the speech delivered in Oslo on December 10, 1964. The full transcript can be found at the Nobel Prize website.
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Gun Regulation and the Holocaust
If you think the gun legislation laws of Germany caused the Holocaust or made it possible, please note the following: Continue reading
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The Weapons of Our Warfare: The Question of Churches Arming Themselves
Yesterday I had lunch with a friend who works on the staff of a nearby church. He shared with me that they were having conversations about what to do if an extremist attack took place at one of their services or programs. According to my friend, much of the conversation centered on the idea of providing armed security (off-duty police officers) as well as intentionally arming and training some staff or congregation members. Continue reading
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