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The Word
John W. Martens
One of Jesus rsquo most famous sayings challenges us to consider a simple question what do I owe to whom The saying is mellifluous in the King James translation ldquo Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar rsquo s and unto God the things that are God rsquo s rdquo It is tea
The Word
John W. Martens
There is no more compelling image for the city of God than that of the banquet drawing as it does on the common experiences of good food and drink I remember the cities I have visited by the food I ate in them so this picture of the feast resonates at a deep human level Feasts recall times of j
FaithThe Word
John W. Martens
In biblical poetry a vineyard often represents the beloved. The prophet Isaiah begins to “sing for my beloved my love-song concerning his vineyard,” a song in which God’s affectionate care of Israel is recounted. The love song quickly becomes a lover’s lament, though, as Isaiah tells how the vineyard was prepared with tenderness, but since it produced “wild grapes,” it will now be abandoned.
The Word
John W. Martens
And more much more than this I did it my way rdquo sang Frank Sinatra There is something life-affirming about doing it ldquo my way rdquo charting one rsquo s own path following one rsquo s conscience and talents and not compromising one rsquo s values along the way But when it comes to th
The Word
John W. Martens
What are the ways of God There are twin dangers for us when we consider this question On the one hand some people consider God rsquo s ways so inscrutable that they no longer trust we can know how God acts or what God demands of us This draws some people to the point of disbelief If God rsquo s
The Word
John W. Martens
What does it mean to love your neighbor Paul says that ldquo love does no evil to the neighbor rdquo and that ldquo love is the fulfillment of the law rdquo How do these two statements coalesce to produce a practical Christian ethic of behavior One is stated negatively mdash love does no evil