I am a feminist theologian and I was at the Beecher lectures at Yale when Phyllis Tribble first shared her Texts of Terror. They are about individual women, usually unnamed, raped tortured and cut into pieces and sent to the corners of Israel, or daughters promised as bait for revenging visitors intent on rape, etc. Tribble redeems the passages by the stark adminishion “and by her stripes we are healed.” The response of the congregation was not rejoicing but utter devastation as we all wept. As you would notice your brief suggestion of an equivalency in texts of terror hermeneutic should not be used, I suggest, in your sermon here without doing the seeing the exegetical work . I think if you read her book you will see what I mean. I say this as a sister in the journey of trying as you do to see if we can redeem the faith “as we know it” from its patriarchal roots and utter pervasive nature. Otherwise, good for you for attempting to wrest our faith for the hands of the premillennialists and its current incarnations. Thank you for all you do. Gail Unterberger, PhD
I didn’t read this yesterday when it arrived. I read it just now in the wee hours of the morning following a night without much sleep and a day with much lamenting over personal and physical difficulties. And it’s restored my hope—-and my faith—-and my determination to keep on going despite my gloom. There’s not much more anyone can ask from a sermon. Thank you, Diana.
If I was at church I’d be jumping off the pew! 🔥What a sermon. 😅 “The Bible does not say to be grateful for anything that is against the will, the love, the mercy, and the justice of God.”
Wonderful sermon Diana, especially on that text. As I sat a week ago today at the bedside of a close and dear friend saying our goodbyes, I expressed my own grateful, thankful love for this man who was with, through and in with me as I faced my own difficult times in my life. I am and will always be grateful in and for all those things.
It is a good reminder that we are not alone in these troubled times and for that we can also give thanks. Thank you, as always your words are a balm to a weary heart.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing this. You are saying important things for our troubled times. I am about to turn 80, so my thoughts turn to my birth in very troubled times, 1944. Times have always been troubled - its how we approach it is what matters. M.
What is gratitude if it is not a persistent rallying cry for a better, more loving world? Thank you. Forward Together. Out Reach team member of the WA Poor Peoples Campaign.
It is so easy to despair when I look around the USA, Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Zimbabwe and other places where all seems to be in chaos with the lives of people so endangered. Thank you for this call of hope for our world and our need to respond to its deep needs. Nancy Lively
Wow- I love this so much and am so grateful for your voice in this world. Diana, it is much needed, and I continue to learn so much from you. I know you don't know me, but I want you to know that you have spoken into my life so much in the last few years through The Cottage. Thank you for being my teacher and pastor! (I imagine I am speaking for a lot of folks here!!)
Thanks for calling attention to a more accurate interpretation of I Thessalonians 5:18 than the one most commonly held among church goers and way too many clergy. Thanks, too, for sharing the equisite poem by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer.
Thank you!!! AMEN.
I am a feminist theologian and I was at the Beecher lectures at Yale when Phyllis Tribble first shared her Texts of Terror. They are about individual women, usually unnamed, raped tortured and cut into pieces and sent to the corners of Israel, or daughters promised as bait for revenging visitors intent on rape, etc. Tribble redeems the passages by the stark adminishion “and by her stripes we are healed.” The response of the congregation was not rejoicing but utter devastation as we all wept. As you would notice your brief suggestion of an equivalency in texts of terror hermeneutic should not be used, I suggest, in your sermon here without doing the seeing the exegetical work . I think if you read her book you will see what I mean. I say this as a sister in the journey of trying as you do to see if we can redeem the faith “as we know it” from its patriarchal roots and utter pervasive nature. Otherwise, good for you for attempting to wrest our faith for the hands of the premillennialists and its current incarnations. Thank you for all you do. Gail Unterberger, PhD
Wonderful! The Lord and the disciples all told stories for the love of God. Keep on keeping on. Many blessings.
Through and not for- what an encouraging distinction. Thanks for this wonderful and strengthening sermon in troubled times.
Thanks to Paul for including 'in'!
I didn’t read this yesterday when it arrived. I read it just now in the wee hours of the morning following a night without much sleep and a day with much lamenting over personal and physical difficulties. And it’s restored my hope—-and my faith—-and my determination to keep on going despite my gloom. There’s not much more anyone can ask from a sermon. Thank you, Diana.
Oh my. I am so, so, so glad to have read this today. Thank you. I give thanks for you.
If I was at church I’d be jumping off the pew! 🔥What a sermon. 😅 “The Bible does not say to be grateful for anything that is against the will, the love, the mercy, and the justice of God.”
Wonderful sermon Diana, especially on that text. As I sat a week ago today at the bedside of a close and dear friend saying our goodbyes, I expressed my own grateful, thankful love for this man who was with, through and in with me as I faced my own difficult times in my life. I am and will always be grateful in and for all those things.
It is a good reminder that we are not alone in these troubled times and for that we can also give thanks. Thank you, as always your words are a balm to a weary heart.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing this. You are saying important things for our troubled times. I am about to turn 80, so my thoughts turn to my birth in very troubled times, 1944. Times have always been troubled - its how we approach it is what matters. M.
amazing grace in these words and admonitions. thanks Diana.
What is gratitude if it is not a persistent rallying cry for a better, more loving world? Thank you. Forward Together. Out Reach team member of the WA Poor Peoples Campaign.
It is so easy to despair when I look around the USA, Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Zimbabwe and other places where all seems to be in chaos with the lives of people so endangered. Thank you for this call of hope for our world and our need to respond to its deep needs. Nancy Lively
Wow- I love this so much and am so grateful for your voice in this world. Diana, it is much needed, and I continue to learn so much from you. I know you don't know me, but I want you to know that you have spoken into my life so much in the last few years through The Cottage. Thank you for being my teacher and pastor! (I imagine I am speaking for a lot of folks here!!)
Wow!!!Well said and just what we need to hear in these days. Thank You!
Thanks for calling attention to a more accurate interpretation of I Thessalonians 5:18 than the one most commonly held among church goers and way too many clergy. Thanks, too, for sharing the equisite poem by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer.