Scarier than Fiction

Column by Rev. Dr. Caleb J. Lines on April, 17 2025

Esther is one of only two books in the Bible to be named after a woman (the other is Ruth).  It is also one of only two books in the Bible not to explicitly mention God (the other is the erotic poetry in the Song of Songs).  Spending a bit of time with Esther helps us to confront unjust leaders, even today.

Part VII Matthew: The Shady Ladies of Matthew’s Genealogy

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on November, 14 2013

The audience for which Matthew wrote was conversant with the Jewish Scriptures, so when he mentions Tamar in the genealogy, they would know her story. The Torah (Genesis, Exodus, …

The Birth of Jesus, Part VII. The Role of Ruth: The Seductress

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on January, 10 2013

The third woman mentioned in Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus is also unique in a number of ways. Her name is Ruth and she, like Rahab, is a foreigner. …