Authors /
Paul Keim
Paul Keim is professor of Bible and religion at Goshen College in Goshen, Indiana.
Unintended messages
Those of us who no longer live in oral cultures may have
lost respect for storytelling as a vehicle of moral authority. Just give us the
facts, ma'am. We're data people, and we like it in writing. For us the
parabolic arts may be fine entertainment, but they're an unnecessarily messy
way of getting at the truth.
July 18, 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011: Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
In C. S....
July 12, 2011
Jacob's dreams and ours
The dream of a ladder linking earth to heaven is surely among the most familiar images of biblical literature. From "We are Climbing Jacob's Ladder" to "Stairway to Heaven," the idea has been deeply embedded in our collective consciousness.
July 11, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011: Genesis 28:10-19a
You, Jacob—the one fleeing from that seriously peeved and smelly galoot of a brother (whose face will eventually resemble God's face)....
July 5, 2011
At ease in Zion: Amos 6:1-7; Psalm 146
Amos was one prophet who knew how to afflict the comfortable. He seemed to have it in for those who had done all right for themselves....
September 18, 2007
Singing the blues: Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4; Psalm 137; Luke 17:5-10
Habakkuk has a complaint. There is violence. There is wrongdoing and trouble. Ruin and strife and contention are in his face. He cries out for help, but God doesn’t seem to be listening....
September 18, 2007
What the Best College Teachers Do
Many of us have vivid memories of teachers who changed our lives....
February 21, 2005
No comparison: Isaiah 40:21-31; Psalm 147:1-11
We know things only insofar as we can describe their likeness.
January 25, 2003
Called to order: Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Psalm 111; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13
It’s been said that the lessons of history are never clear, and when they are they’re usually wrong.
January 25, 2003
Call me: 1 Samuel 3:1-10; John 1:43-51; Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
If you’re Eli, you’re not sleeping that well when the boy comes trotting in to disturb you with his nonsense.
January 11, 2003
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Mutant ministry: Jonah 3:1-5, 10; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31; Psalm 62:5-12
Jonah is prophetic minimalism gone amok.
January 11, 2003