This article was first published on Working Preacher. Matthew’s account of the beginning of Jesus’ ministry and the call of his first disciples is a tale of two kingdoms. Matthew 4:12-23 demonstrates the call for allegiance required to be part of the Kingdom of Heaven. This allegiance runs counter to Roman imperial claims to lives, labor, and land.
We all know writing is a lot of work. Literally, I took four passes at that first sentence. It's easy to think the only measure of productivity is a word count. But I believe that "writing" is always more than just writing. Brainstorming Brainstorming is critical. This is the stage where you play with ideas. … Continue reading Writing is Always More Than Just Writing
Rachel's Long-Awaited Sons The matriarchs hold a special place in the Hebrew canon and society. They are so much more than “Jacob’s wives” or “the mothers of the Children of Israel.” In this post, we will look at the naming speeches for Rachel's sons and draw conclusions regarding what they tell us about a family's … Continue reading Mothers of the Children of Israel (6)
Mandrakes and Three More Children for Leah The matriarchs hold a special place in the Hebrew canon and society. They are so much more than “Jacob’s wives” or “the mothers of the Children of Israel.” To this point, we have discussed when Rachel and Leah met Jacob, Leah's loveless marriage and her first four children, … Continue reading Mothers of the Children of Israel (5)
Bilhah and Zilpah: the Enslaved Matriarchs The matriarchs hold a special place in the Hebrew canon and society. They are so much more than “Jacob’s wives” or “the mothers of the Children of Israel.” This post introduces Bilhah and Zilpah as mothers for Jacob's children and examines the ways that their enslaved bodies are used for … Continue reading The Mothers of the Children of Israel (4)
Leah's First Four Sons The matriarchs hold a special place in the Hebrew canon and society. They are so much more than “Jacob’s wives” or “the mothers of the Children of Israel.” This post looks at the naming of Leah's first four sons. Reuben Reuben is Leah's and Jacob's first-born. Genesis reports that Leah said "Because the … Continue reading The Mothers of the Children of Israel (3)
Leah's Loveless but Productive Marriage The matriarchs hold a special place in the Hebrew canon and society. They are so much more than “Jacob’s wives” or “the mothers of the Children of Israel.” This blog explores a bit of they dynamic of Leah's marriage to Jacob. Before learning of Leah’s conception, the text states that God … Continue reading The Mothers of the Children of Israel (2)
When Rachel and Leah meet their future husband The matriarchs hold a special place in the Hebrew canon and society. They are so much more than “Jacob’s wives” or “the mothers of the Children of Israel.” Specifically, Leah and Rachel’s naming speeches reveal many things about their relationship with one another, with their shared husband … Continue reading The Mothers of the Children of Israel (1)
If you’re like me, you are working in a field that has nothing to do with what you studied. For me, I work at an American Art Museum in Visitor Experience; I have a PhD in Biblical Interpretation, majoring in New Testament studies and minoring in Second Temple Jewish Literature. Ya know, not the same. So … Continue reading Transferable Skills You Gained in Grad School
Graduate school is an exciting time, but there are so many competing demands that you may find yourself struggling with anxiety, depression, or worse. Below are three tips to help take care of your mental health while you are in graduate school. Picture this: You got accepted to graduate school. You pack up your whole … Continue reading Mental Health and Graduate School
The Part Time Scholar 