Biblical Conversations

In this interview, Pesach and I discuss some of the unhelpful ways that certain people of faith have responded to the pandemic gripping our world. How does God want us to respond? Can we know what God is saying to us through these difficult times? Pesach critiques some of the interpretations being offered in Israel by certain rabbis there. He goes to Exod 33:21-22 to point out that Moses could only really glimpse God from the backside. In other words, while momentous events are going on, it is almost as if God's hand is before our eyes. This is not a time of understanding but faithful, humble, prayerful service. After the tragedy passes by, only then can we get a glimpse of God's will. The link to the opinion piece mentioned in Jerusalem Post is: 

https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Faith-and-arrogance-in-times-of-the-coronavirus-crisis-621213

We also discussed I Chronicles 7:13-14 which is being quoted quite a bit these days.

This episode seeks to engage in the terrible virus sweeping our country asking, “What biblical themes should we be thinking about? Where is God speaking to us? What lessons can we learn?" I talked with Todd Mueller, an (associate professor of business administration), Eric and Denise Van Meter (campus pastors at DWU) and I have some thoughts of my own. The sound quality is not good because of social distancing. In one case, I recorded with an app that allowed us to be at some distance. In another case, we recorded in studio but standing a bit further away than is normal. But I have an idea as to how we can improve the recording next time and still retain a social distancing. The article I mentioned in Harvard Health can be found here. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-coronavirus-pandemic-is-not-good-but-the-news-is-not-all-bad-2020031919247

Betty Oldenkamp is the Executive Director of Lutheran Social Services in Sioux Falls and Director of their "Center for New Americans" which helps refugees resettle into South Dakota. In this episode, Betty and I discussed the striking way in which the Bible in both testaments expresses tremendous concern for the refugee. One text actually declares a curse on those who misuse and mistreat refugees (Deut 27:19). See the link below. Betty discussed the tremendous work involved in helping refugees resettle and the striking resilience, perseverance, bravery and entrepreneurship these persons display. The application process is extensive and exhaustive before they even set foot on American soil. Tragically, some of the most desperate refugee situations involve countries banned entrance. Because of increased restrictions in the present administration, the numbers of refugees being resettled has gone from roughly 500 a year to 60 or so (into South Dakota).  

This episode is for students in my REL 141 course which is going online until Mar 30. I discuss Pascal’s Wager for those struggling to believe in God.

This is my second episode on the Bible and Immigration and is an interview with my friend and colleague Thomas Madut. Thomas was one of the "Lost Boys of Sudan" who fled from the Janjaweed fighters who wrecked devastation throughout south Sudan in the mid-1990's. Thomas is an extraordinary marathon runner and ranked 46th in the Boston Marathon just a few years ago. Thomas is a Trio Student Success Adviser and a Peer Mentor Coordinator here at Dakota Wesleyan University. I interviewed him about his experience of transformation from the refugee camps of Ethiopia and Kenya to the plains of South Dakota. We discussed the biblical texts commanding compassion for foreigners. It was fun to see Thomas' eyes light up as he realized the important place immigrants, orphans and widows have in God's heart of compassion. They are the persons God especially cares for because they lack the typical structures of societal support and provision. https://www.openbible.info/topics/foreigners