John Dickson on Christian Charity in the Early Church

Rev Dr John Dickson (Director, Centre for Public Christianity and Senior Research Fellow, Department of Ancient History, Macquarie University) speaks about early Christian charity. He provides an overview from the time of the New Testament up to Constantine.

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Thoughts on The Widening of God's Mercy by Hays and Hays

When I heard about the book by Hays and Hays titled The Widening of God Mercy I was intrigued. I had read Richard Hays' book The Moral Vision of the New Testament in seminary, especially the chapter on homosexuality. I ended up adopting much, if not all, of Hays' position on homosexuality and often used his reasoning while serving as a church minister. I have read other things that Richard Hays has written such as Reading Backwards: Figural Christology and the Fourfold Gospel Witness and found it beneficial to my understanding of Jesus and what it means to be a follower of Jesus. When it was suggested that Richard Hays might have changed his mind about what he wrote in The Moral Vision of the New Testament on homosexuality, I wanted to find out for myself. My Context I spent over ten years doing youth ministry in the local church. I now know many adults who used to be teenagers in my youth group. Some of those adults are gay or lesbian. That means unbeknownst ...

The Power of Touch

Some folks like to hug, and others would rather eat glass than get a hug. Okay, maybe not eat glass but they aren’t into hugs. You know who you are! Wherever you might be on the hug me or don’t hug me spectrum our human bodies were designed for human contact to thrive.1,2 Physical touch like a hug or holding a person’s hand can reduce pain, lower cortisol levels, boost immune responses, and foster empathy. Physical touch can also have a positive impact on our emotional health as well. It is a powerful moment when you feel down, outcast, and excluded and someone acknowledges your humanity with a handshake, hug, or hand placed on your shoulder. The point is there is power in human touch that goes beyond what our eyes can see. Frederick Buechner in his book Whistling in the Dark talks about the power of human touch when he writes: I hear your words. I see your face. I smell the rain in your hair, the coffee on your breath. I am inside me experiencing you as you are inside you ...

Chaplains can do more than pray

Chaplains have been instrumental in helping companies navigate various changes and challenges by providing emotional, mental, and spiritual support to employees. Here are some examples: Crisis Management and Emotional Support: Chaplains provide critical support during crises, such as dealing with the aftermath of accidents or deaths. For instance, a chaplain was able to care for employees at a truck stop following a shooting incident, offering much-needed emotional support and maintaining contact with the affected manager. They also help employees cope with personal crises, such as marriage and parenting issues, financial challenges, and mental health concerns like stress and anxiety. This support allows employees to remain focused and productive at work. Improving Workplace Culture and Morale: Chaplains contribute to a positive workplace culture by showing that employee well-being is a priority. This can lead to lower turnover rates, increased job satisfaction, and higher productivit...

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