Developing a scriptural imagination involves hearing the echoes and resonances of Scripture from one part to the other. The Apostle Paul’s scriptural imagination allowed him to see that the faith he describes in Romans was the same kind of faith that Abraham had in following YHWH. In this sense, faith is a response to God’s action.

Likewise, the two daughters in Matthew 9 are healed because of the response of faith. In one case, it is the faith of the one healed; in the other, it is the faith of the father who asks Jesus to heal his daughter.

Submitted for your approval: For the Love of Links (a compendium of the good, the bad, and the edifying from the inter-webs.) Enjoy!

Lynn Cohick is a New Testament scholar, seminary professor, and university administrator. Her podcast explores subjects from the Bible, spirituality, and contemporary Christian life. It is excellent; check it out! Here series on I Corinthians is really, really good. — The Alabaster Jar

One of Warren Farha’s favorite poets, and a close friend, Scott Cairns. A little poem on certainty — Against Certainty

Ever incisive, Russel Moore names a phenomenon in our cultural discourse we’ve all seen. — A Different Kind of Darwinism is Winning

While he’s at it, here’s Moore’s regular column called “Office Hours,” where he randomly comments on an item in his office. It’s better than it sounds, a lot better. — Office Hours: Bonhoeffer, Johnny Cash, and the Pillar of Fire

What kind of question is that?! One some of us have probably asked. Couldn’t the Bible avoid some of the more odd, or even offensive, subjects it brings up? Brian Morykon from Renovarē tackles this in his weekly newsletter. — Couldn’t God Have Done Better with the Bible?

… chiefly on prayer. Our Tuesday book club/Bible study is reading C.S. Lewis’s book, Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly About Prayer. In the book, Lewis interacts with his “imaginary friend,” Malcolm, around subjects of prayer, worship, and God’s providence. It is clever and deep. Join us starting this Tuesday at 6:30!

Here is a recording of “C.S. Lewis” reading the first two chapters. (I am almost certain it is not actually him, but maybe a slightly Americanized A.I. version?)

You’ve heard it said, “one part of the Bible sings to the other.” A more academic description of this is “intertextuality.” This little website has numerous passages of Scripture laid alongside others, so one can see the way these texts “sing” back and forth. — Intertextual.Bible

Ben Sasse has terminal cancer. He’s done a few interviews, and in each of them he demonstrates his trust in God’s faithfulness. He has words of wisdom for those of us with less knowledge about how much time we have left. — Ben Sasse, on Uncommon Knowledge

Nathan does a tremendous job describing not just the doctrine of the Trinity, as heady as that can be, but highlighting how essential knowing God as Father, Son, and Spirit is for our life of prayer. How do you say God’s name? Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

“The work of theology is to say God’s name rightly.” ~ Stanley Hauerwas

These are a few modern renditions of Rublev’s famous “The Visitation of Abraham” or Old Testament Trinity.

For the love of links is a collection of sometimes sublime and sometimes profane bits of internet goodness. Dig in!

It’s hard to beat any advice we get from Mr. Rogers. This little post reminds us how God works simply, through the important people in our lives. All with assistance from Taylor Mertins and Malcolm Guite! — Who Loved You Into Being?

Scott Cairns is a poet. I highly recommend his book, Endless Life: The Poems of the Mystics. In it, he takes some sayings of the desert fathers and mothers and translates them into poetic lines. Like all of his poetry, it is beautiful.

He was a dear friend of 8th Day’s Warren Farha. Here he reflects on Warren’s life and funeral.

Here’s another artful tribute to everyone’s best friend. — Memory Eternal, And Forever A Blessing

The first American Pope has released his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas. In it, he addresses the important calling on Christians to guard the image of God found in every human person. He warns against that technology and science are to serve people, not the other way around. It reminds one of Thomas Merton’s quote, “Be human in this most inhuman of ages; guard the image of man for it is the image of God.” — Magnifica Humanitas, Pope Leo XIV.

Russel Moore’s take on MH — All Christians Should Listen to Pope Leo on AI

Kenneth Tanner is a gifted writer, a blessing to all who take the time to read him.

I can’t tell if this is a short story or sermon. Either way, I think the Gospel is proclaimed, even with the phrase, “warthog from hell!” — Flannery O’Conner’s “Revelation”

Kelly Chewning reminds us that even though Jesus “leaves” at the Ascension, at Pentecost, he becomes even more present, via the Holy Spirit. Hers is a beautiful reminder of Christ’s presence, via rides in police cars and some mild pyromania.

Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy Spirit: Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

When Christianity was young, yet old enough to wield political power, some Christians abandoned the cities to find God. They lived in desert caves and were renowned for their wisdom and holiness. They were often called amma and abba; they were the Desert Mothers and Fathers. And their solitude was short-lived. In no time, pilgrims showed up seeking spiritual guidance and healing.

Wichitans didn’t have to go to the desert to find an abba, they could just go to a bookshop on E. Douglas. Like a desert father, this abba didn’t say a lot. He didn’t dispense unsolicited advice. But everyone was better off by simply visiting him. The walls of his “cave” were lined with the world’s best books. Through Warren’s faithful presence, God did his work.

Abba Warren died on March 19, and it is a painful loss. But his life reminds us of the goodness of God. His life is evidence that God shows up in our lives through his body, the Church. Pray for Warren. Pray for his family. Pray for the Orthodox community, and pray for us.

Here are a few links about Warren and Eighth Day Books:

1. That Great NYTimes Article on 8th Day Books & Warren

2. Rod Dreher’s brief, heart-felt tribute to Warren (scroll all the way to the end)

3. Emily Freeman on Warren, 8th Day, and Vocation

4. The OYM’s Article on Warren

Just over a month ago, Warren was asked about the “why” of Eighth Day Books in front of an audience of grad students. Typically humble, he said he was going to read something that explained the reason for the bookstore. It was the Paschal Homily of St. John Chrystostom.

I guess it was inevitable. This reflection on a robotic/AI Buddhist monk is by Catholic writer and interviewer, Sarah Carter. ~ Robot Monk (Maybe it’s worse out there than I thought)

Be human in this most inhuman of ages, to guard the image of man for it is the image of God. - Thomas Merton (this seemed like a good place to drop this)

The stats aren’t that good when it comes to the future of trained priests and pastors. Let’s pray for the future of the Church! ~ America’s pastor pipeline is collapsing

Winn Collier’s take on the Ascension is well worth the time. As is the rest of his writing.

Pete Rose is spinning in his grave. If only he lived in the 2026. - Making Money Betting On Their Own Candidates

CT has polled church-goers on the aesthetics of Church. - Church Should Look Churchy

Jesus’ Ascension is easily overlooked. Luke summarizes it in his Gospel with just one verse. In the book of Acts, it is sandwiched between the stories of the Resurrection and Pentecost. It’s not that the church doesn’t think it’s important. We just have a lot on our minds. We can be forgiven for misunderstanding what is happening in the Incarnation.

It’s not a story about how Jesus escapes this mortal world; it is a reminder that Christ is present, everywhere through His Holy Spirit.

And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. - Ephesians 1:23

Peter’s letter includes an odd and controversial statement about Jesus preaching to the “spirits in prison.” It is from this passage, and others, that the notion of Jesus “descending to the dead” (or to “hell”) is found in the Creed. What is Peter referring to? And how might an obscure passage like this one help us enjoy the presence of God’s Spirit in our everyday life?

Tim Loftin shares some farewell thoughts about the time he and Buffy have made the Wheatland Mission their home. It’s funny, deeply encouraging, and an important reminder that Jesus truly is “the way, the truth, and the life.” (Jn. 14:6)

Souls in exile need to learn, or re-learn, the voice of Jesus. May God teach us to recognize the “shepherd and guardian of our souls.”

When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. ~ I Peter 2:23-25

Chris Green has some very practical advice on learning to hear the voice of Jesus.

How do we learn to recognize his (the Shepherd’s) voice? Only by staying close, over long periods of time, listening carefully, learning the cadence of his mercy.